Page:Cartoon portraits and biographical sketches of men of the day.djvu/53

 under the management of Mrs. Seymour. Here he played in 'My Friend the Major,' 'Boots at the Swan,' 'Honours before Titles'—in all of which his rendering of the characters he portrayed was perfectly satisfactory to audiences and critics.

A reengagement took him to Edinburgh, after which he appeared at the Lyceum, and made a success of the character of Fanfarronade in 'Belphegor.'

After a provincial tour, Mr. Toole commenced an engagement at the Adelphi, and played with the greatest success in 'Ici on Parle Français,' 'Willow Copse,' 'Birthplace of Podgers,' 'Good for Nothing,' 'Bengal Tiger,' and other pieces.

At the Adelphi, great successes were made in the adaptation of 'The Haunted Man' by his performance of Mr. Tetterby, and of a frightened servant in a miserable piece by Mr. Boucicault, called ' The Phantom.' The character saved the piece. After leaving the Adelphi Theatre, Mr. Toole became a member of Mr. W. H. Liston's company at the new Queen's, and contributed largely to the success of that undertaking in the production of several important original dramas, among which perhaps the most notable was that of Mr. Byron's 'Dearer than Life,' in which the actor's representation of Michael Garner again presented him to the public as the legitimate successor of the late Mr. Robson. The popularity of this drama has been very great, and it still continues to be a great attraction, not only through Mr. Toole's provincial engagements, but also when put forward in London, as it still occasionally is. Another successful production was that of the play of 'Not Guilty,' in which Mr. Toole had a prominent character. Nor should we forget a most admirable performance of his in the charming little drama called 'The Poor Nobleman,' which greatly contributed to the success of the piece. Space will not allow of our following Mr. Toole through those many original pieces in which the public have indorsed his qualities as an actor; but we must mention with a special word of praise the performance of Dick Dolland, in 'Uncle Dick's Darling;' and of John Lockwood, in the later drama called 'Wait and Hope,' produced a season or two back at the Gaiety.

Mr. Toole is almost unrivalled in his line at present. In comedy and