Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-12
Grand Opera House.

Madam Janauschek gave q brilliantly In
teresting and highly artistic performance
last night at the Grand Opera as the Queen In
DR.. Laube's Essex, !" this being the first time
that the play has been performed In English
in this city, although 1t has been for q long
time favorite play in Germany. The play
deals with strongly dramatic incidents In
the latter part OF Elizabeth's reign. This
work bears some resemblance to the tragedy
of "Queen Elizabeth" and several of the
characters that figure in tnat story appear
also in Essex" Madam Janauschek ap-
peared to great advantage as the Queen last
night. 1t was one Of the most finished and
effective performances that this always ad-
mirable actress has given In this city In sew
eral years, and she apparently held the
wrapt attention and interest Of the audience
from her first to her final scene.
The theme of the story Is in part the Queens
love for Robert Derereatlz, expressed in sew
eral outbursts Of Jealousy and rage, for an
unusual feature of this play lies in the fact
that the Queen does not utter single tender
or even friendly word In the presence Of her
IN tbs against tbs sex Is de-
sents an accusation of treason against Essen,
at the same time extolling the loyalty and
valor of the man who is at the moment fight
ing foes in Ireland, as she supposes; but on
the heels of this comes the information that
Essen has left his post in Ireland to face his
foes, who are about the Queen. The Queen
reSentS his uQaubn0TlZeQ aCtlOn.
Bmleigh has suggested that Essen aspires to
the crown, and asserts that the son Of Mary
Stuart was secretly brought to London and
conveyed to EsSeI's house in sedan chair.
The Queen seeks to refute this charge, and
discovers that the supposed conspirator
was woman. She is afiame with
jealousy at once, and with cause, for
Esser has secretly married one of the Queens
intimate companions, young girl named
Anne Rutland When Esse1 seeks the royal
presence he is humiliSted and the Queen not
only deprives him of his dignities without
word of explanation but goads the spoiled
favorite until he incites his followers to re-
bellion. The turmoil of battle follows and
finally Esser Is dragged into the Queefs
presence exhausted, wounded and helpless
The situation here is finely conceived and is
the dramatic climax of the play. Anne Rta-
land pleads for the life of Essen with such
fervor that the Queen inquiries: "Why are
YOU Sc interested in this mani" and Anne
reveals her secret marriage to Essen. This
revelation seals the mans fate and the death
variant is signed. Janauschek developed
this situation with such admirable tact and
seemed comparatively weak. Forum.
ately the character of Robert Deuer-
eaas1 had an admirable representative
in Mr.. A. H. Stuart, he brought to the char
grace and dignity and well directed power
worthy of an actor of large reputation.
Anne Rutland was very Interestingly played
denis Lady Nozingsans was a well considered
performance. Lord Bmteigh was very well
played by Mr.. Frederick Book, in fact, all
the characters were fittingly assigned. The
costumes were rich and appropriate. To
Merrilies," very remarkable inpersona-
tion. Tomorrow marie Stuart" by 'Schil-
ler, will be produced, and on Thursday
the "Queen in Essex" The new drama
called the 'Harvest Moon" will be produced
for the first time on any stage on Friday
night, and Janauschek will create a new
character in this drama.