Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-05-01
ADJUSTMENTS.
Maude Banks in Society Drama.

Maude Banks in Society Drama.
 Her Evil Genius' is strong piece. It is the fruition of an imagination as fertlle as an Irrigated plain and the product or mind whose source is as reliable as the never-faiiing spring. Honora Forester, the leading character, affords exceilent opportunity for ripe portrayal of an ad- venturesome woman, who is seeking 10 set herself up in respectable society with the companion of her devilry pulling her purse strings and 8 relentless and designing man as her partner in her crime. It is needless to say that the character of Honora Fores- ter requires an artist, one blessed with ex- traordinary endowments born actress so to speak, and one immeasurably successful by reason of her own inherent quahties and not by any trading upon favorite name. Such 8 woman is not Miss Maude Banks, who essayed the character before fair sized audience at the opera house last night. It would be an unjust criticism to say that she is not without merit even In so difficult a role for she did well excellent, for one so young and with such short ex- perience on the public stage She has in many instances a correct appreciation of l the character and the lines are rendered with telling effect, noticeably in the last l act, when she pronounces the death war | rant of an old companion in crime. She infuses genuine passion into the lines when she discovers she loves the man who has been the object of her designs, ,and her acting reaches it's highest standard. But it is almost ruined by the stupidity and inanity of David Murray who plays the part of Sir Henry Rryanstone, her second husband Miss Banks finds her strongest support in William Gerance as Farnham Lumly, who is seeking revenge against Sir Henry and makes Horcora Forester an ac- complice to his plan, the end of which is that she marrys him, brings disgrace upon his good name, her first husband appears on the scene and she commits suicide by taking poison unwittingly administered by his hands. MT Yerance is 8 good actor and always rises to the exigencies of the occasion. The rest of the support is mediocre. Many will undoubtedly make the mistake of criticising the play because of the short comings of the company. Ii may need trimming and touching up here and there, and such treatment will un. doubtedly be followed until it is greatly improved.
 Louis James in "Othello."
 People who think that Miss Maude Banks is an actress of great merit should go to the opera house Thursday evening and see Miss Marie Vain
 wright play Desdemona to Loui.
 James, Othello. The New York Sta1 says "Mr James, presence is impressive
 and his force is at times effective. Mis-
 Marie Wainwright is his best surety fol
 the continuance of his efforts in increas
 ing public favor. Her Desdemona i
 altogether superior to any other that nov may be seen. She has that stature, full ness of voice and complete womanhoot
 so requisite to certain female characters il Shakespeare and so often painfully lack ing in the stage Desdemonas. The daugh , ter of Brabantio is passive figure in tn drama, and appears so little in the actio1 that these qualities are requisite tha sympathy may attach to her.
 "Held by the Enemy"
 "Held by the Enemy" which was give ,, here this season with success under tn auspices of Company A, and which we |. prevented from filling second engagemer on account of the big blizzard, will be see on the opera house stage Saturday aftel : l noon and evening.