Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-12
THINGS DRAMATIC.

greeted by large and highly delighted au- dience at O'Brien's last night notwith. standing the unfavorabie weather The performance in its entirety was success and of high order of specialties. The acrobats were superior to many with high sounding titles ,and the center of all attrae- ton, Sandow himself, was more than wonderful in his marvellous strength.
 When the curtain was thrown back dis closing this modern Goliath, shorn of raj ment save breech cloth, he was the lm- personation of living mass of muscles and brawn. His statuary poses and muscle movements were greeted with cheer after cheer and but melted the audience to ex- pect marvels. Nor were they disappointed. This wonderful young Teuton handled dumb. bells of immense weight as if they were but reeds, and when he clasped a fifty pound dumb-be In each hand and turned back somersault without ap- parent effort the widest enthusiasm pre- vailed.
 But this was only an initiative. lie raised dumb bell weighing 300 pounds, which required two men 10 move into place, at arms length above bis head, aud when he brought il to the floor its weight shook the dress circle floor, so heavy was it. But this, too, was not all. He performed feats of strength on the Roman pillar which excited the greatest enthusiasm.
 His last and greatest feat was such an one as has never been seen here before. He rested his palms and soles on the floor, a monster see-saw board was placed across his chest Uhis alone requiring the com- bined efforts of four or five men to place in position), aud upon this strode two ordi- nary sized horses and a pony. All this weight he held upon bis chest for fully three minutes.
 The audience prior to this feat was re- quested to keep perfectly silent, inasmuch as this particular effort was a dangerous one and the horses might become fright ened by two much noise. But with all this the pent up feeling of admiration was too great, and the audience forgot the words of caution and th ndered forth their approba- ton.
 The specialties were we'll placed-Dun ham on the horizontal bar, beautiful Mar guerite, the contortionist; Tom Brown, the whistler: Billy Vann of burnt cork fame and Amann, the facial 1mpersona. tor, all giving the greatest satisfaction.
 "THE FENCING MASTER"
 "The Fencing Master'' is the splendid attraction announced for Friday evening next at O'Brien's opera house. The music is by Reginald DeKoven, and the libretto by Harry B. Smith, the composers of .fRobin Hood,'' "Rob Roy, " "The Knickerbockers, ,'' etc. Miss Dorothy Morton is the prima donna, and is sup. ported by company of thorough operatc artists.
 The piece opens briskly with a pretty serenade, followed by two or three pretty choruses, very well done and beautifully ap parelled. The chorus has been chosen with rare good taste, and the costumes are ravishingly bright. In short the whole getup is first class.
 Among the taking bits of melody there are many in the opera, and they Will soon become much liked-is an entrance song for Miss Morton, who has the leading part, aud who by the way has never been seen to greater advantage. Her part suits her exactly. She looks very pretty as the boy, and plays with much dash and vigor, the music suiting her admirably. The solos are distinct, clear cut and very tuneiul. Mir. Crockett bas a very charm ing tenor solo. There is good burlesque serenade, and duet, well written, is we'll sunC by Miss Morton and David Terrence. It may be said right here that MT. Terrence has never appeared to such advantage as h this work.
 The finale of the second act is very pre- tentious piece of music. It Is worthy a high place in opera comique, almost grand
 stThe Fencing Master" is the most pleasant, pleasing and popular opera on the road this season.
 "A COUNTRY sPoRT." The opera house will give fun lovers a peep at John J. McNally's excellent farce, "A Country Sport," next Saturday, De- cember 15. To say nothing of the popularity
 
 second visit in stellar capacity of our sunny tempered friend. Pete Daily, will be | the signal for the assembling of a majority, | if not all, of BirminGhem's amusement seekers. Peter has gained widespread | fame since his debut as star in this city 1 last autumn and the well wishes bestowed | upon him at that time have borne golden | fruit. In far-away San Francisco, in windy | Chicago and in marble hearted New York has Boston's warm approval of the joVial l comedian and his lively play been emphat- | ically indorsed. The many splendid features of the play, the excellence of the | company employed in it's interpretation and the noticeable departure from the | beaten path in it's method, together with | MT. Dailey's magnetic personality, hap l pily combine to render "A Country Sport" | at once entertaining and most refreshing, two qualities lacking in many Iatterday farces. The company this season has been | improved where there was room for it, but those prime favorites, May Irwin, John G.. 1 Sparks, Ada Lewis and Andrew Mack are retained and will each contribute novelty of their own creation.