Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-03-12

ladies and gentlemen who possess not
only vocal but dramatic ability. This
will be the most ambitious effort Of
Musical Wheeling-at least in a dra-
matte line-in recent years. 1t has
been a long time since Wheeling has
witnessed comic operate productions
by home talent. Sore fifteen or TWEEN
ty years ago, under the direction of Mr..
c. Y. Lucas, who was then a prominent
factor in local musical circles, and a
promoter of a number of musical enter
prises, several operas were very cred
itably rendered by home talent.
Among those who participated were:
Mrs. Eoff, soprano; Mr.. Joseph Hall,
basso; and the late Mr.. r. V. Ankle,
tenor.
The spirit of unionism has affected
nearly every trade and occupation rep
resented in Wheeling. and the last to
be organized were the employees of the
local theatres, who formed a local
union last week. 1t is understood that
no question of wages is involved in the
local organization, but that it will de-
rive some benefits from utilization WITH
the national body.
Although Digby Bell and his COM
pany were delayed by a railroad wreck,
and the curtain did not rise on the
first act of Joe Hurst, Gentleman" I'M
til after nine O'Clock, Mr.. Bell found
an audience at the Opera House which
was very patient and likewise apprecia-
tive. His new play tells a very inter
esting story, but the story is better
than the play. The company was capa-
Bile, however, and the performance was
very satisfactory.
The Daniel r. Ryan company is one
of the best repertoire companies which
has appeared in Wheeling this season.
The plays are better than the average,
including dramas which are seldom
presented at popular prices. Mr.. Ryan
is a very conscientious and painStaking
actor, and a competent stage manager
as well-one who looks carefully after
every detail of a production. His lead
ing lady, Miss Fuller, is one Of the most
accomplished actresses in repertoire.
and she made many friends last week
at the Grand.
Remember the Maine is the title CT
q new sensational naval drama that
will be seen for a return engagement
at the Grand Opera House on next
| Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday eve
nings and Wednesday matinee. 1t is
Lincoln j.. Carriers latest production,
and from all accounts is about the best
thing that he has given to the public
in a long time. The play deals with
the Cuban wal and the Maine disaster,
but the n in which the subject
is treated is said to be quite out of the
ordinary. Hal Reid, who wrote HUI
a Hearts," had a hand in the max
ing of the drama, and it is said that it
is better than the average Carter play
of this class in the matter of literary
construction. Carter, however, is
strong on scenic effects, and there is
no lack of ability in this direction.
The drama is said to excel anything
yet evolved by Mr.. Carter in the way
of scenery and effects, and 10 one IA
miliar with Carteresque plays, this does
not seem possible. A special effort to
make the production surpass his pre-
vious efforts has been fruitful Of a
mass Of scenery, consisting of moving
ba%ttleships. distant cities that are to
be bombarded, tropical foliage and pa
triotic transformation scenes contain
ing pictures of Lincoln, Cuban slave.
Mckinley, Remember me, Dewey"
the Maine, I'VE have remembered the
Name" and Peace. The following
I artists are seen in the production:
Misses Evalyn Elbie, May Stoddard,
and Anna Thomas, Messrs. Charles H.
Mestoyer. A. e. Chapman, Harry l.
Hartel. Robert kyjng. Ralph Bell. An