Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-05-29
Large, Appreciative Audi
ence Present.
F. E. Jackson a Great Success
as King Richard.
He Was Supported by a Clever and
Versatile Company.

Mighty in the beginning, hustled
through an extemporaneous series Of
Mephistophclean roles and narrow es-
capes, to an ending made sombre and
ghastly by fierce. eight -hands-around
battle that dealt out death indiscrimi-
nately, the presentation of Richard III
by Akron's colored sons and daughters,
at Assembly hall, Monday evening,
stirred and thrilled the audience from
tile repeating of the initial lines of the
great tragedy, until its ending.
An audience of 500 people was pres
ent, and Akron's society folk was there
in full force. Everybody enjoyed the
presentation of the wonderful tragedy,
and the spirit of Shakespeare must
have looked on smilingly at the rush
Of business ON the stage, because, in
tervening the nine acts presented
were various side issues that brushed
away the tears that had unbidden come
during the stormy scenes of the trag
edy. During the entire performance,
no one left the audience. All remained
firm at thir posts. There was a spon-
taneous gayety and irresistible good
humor that permeated throughout the
audience, and applause was general
and prolonged
Appearing in the title role of the
tragedy, Mr. F. II. Jackson, the versa
tile and urbane driver for the Akron
Supply Company, lost no time in get
ding down to business OF course, Mr.
Jackson was obliged to look dcformed,
ugly and ferocious. To produce this,
effect, however, 1t was absolutely nee
essary that every vestige of his counte-
nance be contorted, and hump as
big as baby barrel located on his
shoulders. Then, also, one of Mr..
Jacksons legs held aloof from the
other in manner that made
1t look like gigantic par
enthesls. and caused lameness in
his gait. A long.haired wig, Of a
dark color, was not without its proposed
uncanny effect and the tight-fitting
suit Of pea. green material, Illuminated
with tin-foil garnishings, was timely
aud well received.
As Richard the Third, Mr.. Jackson
disported himself in manner hilar.
iously successful. In tho second act,
his soldierly instincts were kindled into
an animated spirit of daring. and he
not only sidetracked the funeral cor
tege en- route to Glendale cemetery
with the last sad relics of King Ed
ward, whom he is alleged to have put
out of business for mcrcenary reasons,
and did then and there halt tho lack
eys and WOO the woman made by him
n widow. Mr.. jackson did this in q
manner that carried the house by
storm. Laughter unrestrained reward
ed his histrlonlc prowess in this deal
The numbering of Clarence, g. K. w.
Hughes. while not done in accordance
with Hoyle, nevertheless scooted him
prematurely across the Great Divide
It was an awful scene, and the murder
ers, L. r. Hamln and Il. Cross armed
with butchcr-knives made the said
Clarence look like a shredded biscuit.
ss
1t is now night. The stars are sick
at heart, aud refuse to shine with mer-
riment upon the scene of carnage in
the vicinity of the camps of Richard
and Richmond. Richards camp is on
Bosworth Field, and Richmond's
camp is near Tamroth. They are
three feet apart. and the great warriors
sleep in their respective tents. The
stiffness is undisturbed, save only for
the nasal profundo sounds emanating
from the sleeping apartments Of Rich.