Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-06
IN THE THEATRES.
Attractions Booked and Playing In the
Two Opera Houses

Attractions Booked and Playing In the
Two Opera Houses
GRAND OPERA HOUsE-To-day, mat
inee and night. Kidnapped
OPERA HOUSE-Thursday night ROD
Roy opera Company.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE-Thursday,
vanity Fair"
The best theatrical thing Of the sea-
son is Vanity Fair which includes
a burletta, a spectacular comedy and
potpourri melange which has never
been equalled in this country. NO eX-
pense has been spared to make Van
ity Fair" one Of the biggest successes
of the season, and the grand scenic and
spectacular effects alone are marvel.
There are a variety of scenes, which in
troduce yacht club reception and a
spectacular comedy, in which is in
troduced Jay New York, or Fun at
Coney Island" a complete play in it.
self. Grand last half of the week.
In Rob Roy Reginald De Koven has
not only written some exquisite bits
that are ScOtchy Scotch in color, but
has most cleverly introduced and ar
ranged some of the best known Scotch
airs. Harry b. Smiths libretto is good
in the more serious portions and eX-
crutiatingly funny otherwise. The
Whitney Opera Company has not an in
adequate member. The principals are
artists and the chorus is large and
made I'D of good fresh voices and pref
ty girls, the costuming is a series Of
beautiful pictures for the eye, while
the scenic fleets leave nothing to be
desired. Rob Roy will be given at the
Opera House next Thursday, January
eth, for the first time in this city.
Kidnapped attracted another large
audience at the Grand Opera House last
night. and the distinct hit of the nights
before was repeated. The play is a good
one and presents a number of new ideas
in the way of scenery and effects. The
company is fine, and is composed of many
well known professional art'7ts. The play
abounds I'm startling climaxes. specialties.
etc, and is given in a splendid manner.
The author Mr.. David Higgins is in the
leads" and handles the character nice
IL. The other members are exceptionally
strong. The play viii be given at a mat
inee this afternoon and for the last time
tonight.
To say that Mr.. James Young's "Ham-
let is faultless would be flattery, but he
is but just to say that he is a conscien-
tious actor. and promises to become Il
great one. Whether it is the popular
rage for farce comedy, or a lack of inter-
est in or appreciation of classical produce
tons, Mr.. Youngs audiences have been
very discouragipg as to size. Perhaps
the best comment upon his work would
be the statement of fact that the audi
ence which saw David Garrick' Monday
evening. at least one in four saw the
young actor last night in the role in which
the worth of all the great tragedians has
been measured. Mr. Youngs Hamlet"
is original in some respects. showing evil
dence Of hard and intelligent study. In
his reading of some of the lighter passages
he is splendid. but in his outbursts of
passion his enuncation is not clear or
distinct. He has at least proved himself
worthy of striving for the honor of filling
a vacancy on the American stage, left by
the death of eminent actors during recent
years The "Ophelia" or Miss Johnson,
and the "Laertes" of Mr.. Buffham. COM
pare favorably with the work of any per-
sons in those roles who have appeared in
this city in recent years. With that beau
tiful line of owen Meredith s-"TIave no
half dealings with thine art'-as his creed,
and with youth and genius to aid him,
Mr.. Young's future is very promising.