The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-01-11

If there were as much merit In the lines as
there is ingenuity in the general construction OF
the play, and If the whole production were on
the same plane of excellence with the acting,
"Claudus Nero" would be a great success.
Last week the piece was presented for the first
tine outside of New York at Albaugh's Grand
Opera House and drew excellent houses. a
production of this kind which overwhelms the
dramatic interest of the story by preponderance
of spectacular incidents and distracting special
ties must necessarily be else than wholly salts
factory in its results especially If the theme be
one of more than usual historical interest, as 1t
is In this case. In "Claudius Nero" what
there is Of the story creeps through chinks In
gorgeous stage pictures, knocks out its vitals
against a mob of magnifcently attired super
numeraries, and finally loses itself amid the roar
of lions, the tricks of the prestidigitateur, and
the feats OF the Hercuianii. 1t Is all very beau-
tiful and attractive after all, and combines fea-
lures enough to please, If not satisfy, everybody
The cast is made up of some of the very best
material on the professional stage Mr. Wilton
Lackaye, of whose stage career Wasnlngtonlaa,hs an,
have every reason to feel proud played the
title role in a brilliant manner. BY that
easy touch which so readily distinguishes
the work of an artist he made
Nero stand out prominently amid tne
blaze of torch and tinsel as every inch
king. Mr.. w. T. Donnelly, also of Washington,
did the role of Nicoden,ats during the fore part
of the week, and during the latter part he as
sumed the more important role OF 1tgenanuS.
In both characters he acquitted himself most
creditably. A fine stage presence, graceful
carriage, and careful and distinct enunciation
single him out especially from among the nu-
merous members of the cast as deserving OF men
tion for meritorious work. Miss Alice Fisher
as A1,iDrina and Miss Marie Reni as Acte
were quite acceptable, and the other members
of the cast were above the average. Among the
diversions the performances OF the trained
lions, under the management OF Mr.. Daring,
excited the greater share of interest, although
the Marx brothers, as the two strong men Of
Rome, and Yank Hoe the prestidigitateur,
came in for their just portion of applause
Mr. E. H. Sothern, at the National Theatre
last week, drew out the largest audiences of
the season with his latest success, ''The Master
of Woodbarrow,'' as the magnet. 1t was
performance that richly deserved the immense
patronage it received. The story of the play is
not particularly novel in its plan, but charming
in the simplicity of its detail. 1t calls for the
hero, the villain, the true love, and the ad-
ventures, just as many other plays have done,
but their services are demanded in just that way
to make virtue sweety and modestly consplc-
uous and evil subjective without murder or
bloodshed. While Of necessity the interest
centres around Mr.. Sothern, both by virtue OF
his personality and the role he plays, the parts
of the play are very evenly divided and de-
mand the efforts of an excellent company
throughout. AS Allen RolhH Mr.. Sothern
did some of the best work he has
ever done. Heretofore he has been
judged almost entirely by his clever comedy
genius, but in sThe Master of Woodbarrow"
he has part that requires more versatile pow
ers, and to say that his humor and pathos were
equally we'll portrayed is the highest tribute
that can be paid. AS Col. Jack DEXTER Mr..
Roland Blackstone gave an excellent character
persopation, and Mr.. Augustus Cook as M'.
PiHn left no room for improvement. Miss
Virginia Harmed as Clara Derter did some
beautiful acting in the role of the adventures
and Mrs. Kate Patison Selton as Mrs. Rollet
and Miss Jennie Dunbar Deborah Dedco,
were equally effective in their respective roles