Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-21
SWEET LAVENDER"
A Decidedly Creditable Production by
Local Talent.


Local Talent.
The third and final appearance for
this season CT The Players, attracted a
large and fashionable audience to the
Opera House last night. The play
which was chosen for the display OF
the dramatic ability of the members OF
the sterling organization upon this oc-
casion was Sweet Lavender" written
by A. w. Pinero, produced in England
and America some years ago, and now
undergoing a very successful revival
in London. 1t is charming domestic
drama, with two or three love stories
treated in a refreshingly original way,
the work of the skilled playwright be-
ing manifested in such an arrangement
of the situations as result in cumula-
tive interest and particularly strong
climaxes The cast, as is the rule with
The Players, resisted the temptation
to introduce interpretations, and adj
hered faithfully to the original text.
The production was artistic in every
sense. devoid of amateurish suggestion,
and very creditable to the members OF
the cast and to Col. d. E. Stalnaker,
to whose devotion to the drama in its
highest form the existence of The
Players is in large measure due.
The work of Mr.. Joseph II. Naylor as
"Geoffrey was surprise to those who
were unacquainted with his dramatic alb l.
ity, and they included most persons in
the audience. His elocut.on was faultless,
his action easy and graceful at most
times. hut his makeup gave him an APP
pearance which was a tr;fie youthful Mr..
E. B. Franzheim possesses versatile tall
ent and his stage presence is always
pleasing His work was excellent, but the
has been seen in roles for which he was
better suited. MIR. James p. Morgan
''old man approximations would do credit
to most professionals, and he sustained
his part in Sweet Lavender'-one of the
most difficult roles in the piay-in a
thoroughly artistic manner. 1t was the
most pretentious effort in which Mr. Vim
cent Owens has yet been seen. and he
gives promise of degree of success in
comedy parts which may some day land
him in the professional ranks. If he pos
sesses any inclinations in that direction.
Mr.. A. Laurence Wheat made a manly
American lover, and HIS work showed
marked Improvement since his last APP
pearance with The Players. Mr. William
l.. Brice, as the physician, gave very in
teEigent Interpretation of the role Mr.
Stainaker was, as usual grace personified.
The work of the ladies was uniformly
good The abttty of Miss A Lima Hen
mig is so generally recognized that it is
scarcely necessary to comment upon her
conception of the part OF Minnie" Ii
might be said of all the ladies' in the cast.
that there was too much timidity mani
Tested in the love making scenes. The
GOODNESS of action contrasted rather I'M
pleasantly with the ardor of the pretty
speeches. Miss Louise Montague as Mrs
| CHILEAN" was d.gnified in appearance and
acton, and was really excellent In the char.
acter. Miss Lee Caldwell made a very
| winsome appearing Lavender" but was
a trifie too ingenious in her conception
of the part. With the exception that her
enunciation was indis.inct at times. moth.
ing could be said in criticism of Miss Bes.
sic Griffith as "Puth Hot"