Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-22
THINGS DRAM ATIC.

At O'Brien's opera aouse today at mat inee and tonight will be the first produc. tiou in this city Of what might be termed 8 ''dramatic sensation, '' stThe Operator, u with the twin stars, William and Willard Newell. in the leading roles. The play comes with the prestige of having turned away people at almost every point at which it has been given. If true, this is indeed remarkable fact, speaking in stronger terms of the merits of the play than any detailed notice, but as there are special features in the production they should be spoken of.
 parture from the ordinary run of meo- dramas, in that the twin brothers, Willard and William Newell, appear as joint stars. The remarkable resemblance between the two young men furnishes the plot of the piece, which is full of sensational and realistic effects, including a steamship at sea, railroad train rushing at full speed across the stage, and the crashing of large and very heavy engine through broken trestle into river's dry bed, 20 feet below.
 The stars are said to have surrounded themselves with tho best company of players they have ever had during the two years they have had 'tThe Operator, on speciaities will be introduced, also ''The Operator" quartette.
 This is the first matinee of the season and the attraction is replete with wonder. ful scenic and mechanical effects, and is in the bands of a capable company.
 AL c. FIELDS MINISTRIES.
 On Tuesday night next Al G. Fields minstrel company will hold the boards at O'Brien's.
 The Nashville American has the follow ing to say of the performance:
 A packed house at the Vendome last night saw the best minstrel show that has come to Nashville for years. Al G. Field and h is aggregation made merry before an audience that filled almost every part of the theater, and when the performance was over there was but one opinion, and that was that the most amusing and inter- been given. It is not like the other minstrel shows that come through here, but has an additional charm of perfect novelty and an utter absence of objection to women and children. There is no in- ferior talent, no suggestive jokes, and, above all, no poor or tiresome songs. The musical feature is the strongest that has been seen in this city for years. Indeed, the musical excellence of the programme is such that it would take an opera troupe of exceptional ability to equal it. The audi ence was enthusiastic and appreciative throughout. and demanded so many en- cores that the artists were utterly worn out, though willing to respond so long as they were in condition to come back on the stage. There is nothing antiquated in the whole programme, the silk and satin first part having been done away with, and the curtain rising on the entire company and orchestra seated as in ye olden time. The fun does not wait for an introduction, but comes in at once and reigns supreme all through the per. formance. Field is always good, and was especially good last night. The eccentric Tommy Donnelly assisted him ably and seemed to grow better with age. Every en- trance was the signal for applause. In sentimental and comic songs there was no Marie,'' Harry J. Howard in "The Widows Plea for Her Son., - Arthur Yule in ''The Pride of the Ball,o ". H. Mo- Pherson in his selections, Lawrence Dia- mond, J. W. Wilson, George Hassel and George Wellington in their songs and bal. lads made upa programme that would have been hard to excel. When 1t came to specialties the field was so wide that 1t would seem impossible to cover, but the company was equal to the occasion. The musical Alvarez family In their specialties have few equals, If any, and make the sweetest music out of the most impossible instruments. There are acrobats, bar performers, dance specialties