The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-11-23
O'NEILl AS vIR6INIUS.
A Large Audience in the Providence
Opera House.

Virginius MIR. O'Neill
Appius Claulius Hallett Thou ps n
I, les Clau aus Albert Sac@ett
Marcus Thomas Young
Deatatus Robert i. HainSs
Nunatorius w. J. Dix IN
Icnlu. William h. iasroe
LGcius sydney poo n
Tins Sewatd H.mel
Sefvius Jcsepl Dowbs
tneus Frvi II ward
Seryia Kate III tchcr
Female Slave Cordeiia McDona d
Virziniu Marie Brrrcss
"a few years ago" said James C'Neiil,
"nece's!ty for money MADE me stick TO
Monte C.!.;o,' asa rncats TO cffset re-
verses in Western land investment, bat
I've always hsd an ambition 10 be rccos-
nized as one OF Americas eadip. /. traged lana
and to MAKE place for Iny,eli IN tho
higher walks OF tragedy. My fordest
WISH is 10 play Hamlet In c superior way.
Perhaps thai is faolt. Undoubtedly IL
is a mistske COED E.any actors make.
think the toid IS unified ana tho pres
ent time is aiiuring to players ambition
10 become talked about tragedians."
Mr.. O'Neil illustrated To large
audience IL the Providence Opera
House last evening that his aInb.-
tion is well ioucded, for his
impersonation OF the tragic character OF
intelligent "a any that can be seen in this
country al the presen, time.
V!rein.us has been played by
the gr.ate.t tragic Stars OF
the century. 1t IS attrs0tive to TRACED la ms
because il calls for broad defamation aad
vigorous vocal eiJtt and eSakens
aLd Keeps sympatn ne,ic attention ~
its story and purp>ss. When honor,
justice ard tru h ere the themes, even BAD
men and womeG are interested. The
actor Lies 20 have hts audience with him
ana in rdnira;ion all the time. Conse-
Quentiy the stern snd heroic Roman
soldier and tender and loving fsther is 4
favori.e oil around. Besides, the .rageGy
near Y Jlays itself, calling for little OF the
greater geniS of the Stage and demand-
Ing but q small share of the skill neces-
sary TO present character Kaleidoscope in
moods.
1t IL q straightforward and manly char
ac:er, end sir. O'Neill played 10 In a
strais htforward and many way. IN su-
preme moments he fell abort OF sAtisiyine
perfectly, but az ms. Qkeiil says D !m5ef,
he will be better sa:ishcd with VissiniGs
a year hence. 10 was particularly crafty
ing 10 the sctor'C admirers 10 sec h,ln
In something elss benides the seeming
everlasting "Mbntc Crlsto" eud the saf-
prise OF his. In many respects, excellent
imrersonatlon gives birth 10 the
desire will be full!led in this city, and
that it viii he as warmly received as Vir-
ginius was last evening.
His supporting company in principals
is strong. Marie Burress is a capa-
bic co-star, and she played Vir-
ginia with an appreciation Of
It's delicscy, devotion and sweet young
womanhood. Hallett Thompson gave
promise of becoming better known in
heavy parts by his capable and concen-
trated impersonation oi Appius Claudiu,.
After the play The tragedian entertained
number of friends who occnpted the
left proscenium boxes. IL was recipro-
cal reception and was given in
remembrance OF the hospitality re-
ceivcd by Mr.. . Neill in Woon-
socket early in the season. Lunch was
served ia the Narragansett Hotel and an
hour or moro was pleasantly spent by the
player and his friends.
This and tomorrow evenings Mr.. O'Neill
will play "Monte Cfilio," ana Saturday
matinee "Virginias" will be presented
again.