The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-04-20
..MorHER AND SON.
Madame Janausehek's second Vi
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4
EmPOria
The PRESERVATION. by Madame Janau
schek, of the Countess of Msnselft, IL
the play OF Mother and Son. at the
Whitley opera house Monday evening
proved new revelation Of the wonder
full dramatic talent of that distinguished
artist. When the great tragedienne
visited Emporia two years ago, she
played Lady Macbeth and Mary Stuart
and by her marvellous assumption OF
those roles, asserted her lofty rank as
the greatest living interpreter of tragic
drama Her departure. upon the oc-
casion of her second visit, from
the special line of histrionic art
in which she has achieved her supremest
success, was acceptable to that large pro-
portion of theatre-goers who prefer the
action and color which characterized
the play last evening to the severer
methods of strictly heroic presentations.
But IN making this concession to the
popular taste, it is but just 20 say that in
the case of the drama in question, Mad
anne Janauschek sacrificed none of the
requirements of her art, the play being
one affording opportunities for the full
exercises Of those wonderful capabilities
which are possessed to fuller degree
by the great Bohemian actress than by
any dramatic artist of her sex living tO-
day
Mother and Son" is dramatization
of Fredricka Bremer's novel of 1.-THE
Neighbors," and portrays the struggle
between the love and pride of an imper-
ious mother, who, in a rash moment,
curses and casts out from home her
only son, who defies her authority and
by the commission of crime brings re-
proach upon noble name. 1t is need
less to say that the woman who has so
successfully portrayed the lofty pride of
Katharine of Aragon; the resolution of
purpose of Lady Macbeth; the fierce
passion of Deborah, and the bitter
anguish of Mary Stuart, was fully equal
to the most intense delineation of all
those conflicting emotions which
struggled for mastery in the breast
of the unhappy mother whose love and
yearning for her recreant son were only
less strong than her implacable sense of
justice. 1t Is impossible TO convey to
the reader an idea of Janauschek's pow.
er of throwing her soul into her eyes,
and rejecting, by her wonderful facial
expression, the intense emotions of her
heart Equally futile would it be to
attempt to picture the electrical manner
in which she sums up a situation with
an impressive attitude, fitting the ges-
ture to the word, with Indelible effect,
and thrilling the audience with the
large measure of her own intensity. 1t
is only in her presence that the force of
her genius can be fully realized, and her
massive breadth of style and stalwart
strength thoroughly appreciated.
While Janauschek dominated, to q
large extent. the remainder of the cast, it
would be unjust to omit mention of her
support, which was excellent through
out and merits a generous measure of
PAoioCs 4AA6. 1SdUCA w dluTOu, DIS Z ran
cisca, wife of Stephen, was an especial
favorite with the audience, and she, to-
gether with Geo. B. Waldron, who took
the part Of Stephen, her husband, re-
lieved to a grateful degree the sombre
character of the play and were gener-
ously applauded.
Miss Story as Selma, made most IA
vorable impression, and the revelation
of heT dream to the Countess was a
beautiful piece of acting.
Alex. H. Stuart, as Bruno, the hand
some son of the Countess, looked and
acted his part with great credit, and
succeeded in thoroughly enlistiug the
sympathy of the audience.
An extremely pleasant feature of the
entertainment were the performances by
the orchestra under the direction of Pro-
fessor Sogard, which were received by
by marked manifestations of favor.
The house was filed with as fine an
audience as we have ever seen in the
city, and it is with sense of pride that
we state that the reception of Janauschek
in Emporia was such as befitted an art
list of her great renown.