Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-08
THINGS DRAMATIC.

military drama ever put on a southern stage was that of "The Ensigno at O'Brien's last night, which was presentfd by strong company of artists to large house. The artistic work of the individual mem bers of the company won merited ap- plause from critical audience, and more than twice curtain calls had to be answered. Not only was the work of the company ex- ceptionally good, but the stage settings in every act were beautiful and artistic.
 The plot is based on the Mason and Slidell affair of 1861, in which is interwoven lot Of villainy, deal of patriotism and love story, and around thls is consider able amount of pathos and sentiment.
 Two of the five scenes represent life on board of man of- war, and is as realistic as can be put on stage. In these scenes the guns and accoutrements of ship arc represented just as they are on board a man. -of-war.
 The time is coincident with that Trent affair of the rebellion, and the plot origi- mates from the attempt of a renegade from the United States, serving as lieutenant in arrest of Mason and Slidell, Confederate commissioners. The act occurs at Havana, and Blythe, renegade, attempts to detain the San Jacinto in order that the Trent may get away with the commissioners.
 An officer of the San Jacinto Is warned of the attempt and tries to keep cool on ac- count of his betrothed, but when this rem egade tears down the American flag and calls it "damned rag' the limit Is pressed and the officer, with the aid of coxswain, kills him.
 He is arrested and sentenced to be shot, but just in tine courier arrives with a pardon from the president and all is joy with him and his sweetheart. Amer ican loyalty in the plot is strong and sectional ism is we'll avoided.
 A1r. Oscar Eagle as Capt. Charles Wilkes, commander in chief of the United States steamship San Jacnto, was capital in his part, and won applause after applause from character and deserved the applause he re- ceived.
 Mr. Marlborough Hardy, in the role of Lieut.. John Perry Allen, was very clever indeed, and his work was that of an artist.
 MT. Logan Paul as Lieut.. Horace Blythe, an American renegade serving in the British army, made good villain and was well applauded.
 james NJ. Brophy as "Ensign" Ben Baird played his part in an excellent man. ner, and his effect on the audience at times brought tears to the eyes of many. His part is hard one but he plays it to per- lection.
 Atkins Lawrence as Coxswan Jack Dud- ley was good addition, aud he too won considerable applause.
 Miss Esther Lyon as Alice Greer, the be- trothed of Ensign Baird, was strong character and her performance was well taken.
 Little Edith Wright made quite a hit in her part,
 The minor characters were well placed, and all in all the performance was gem.
 'The Ensigno will be repeated at mati-a nee and again tonight.
 sANDOW TROCADERo VAUDEVILLES.
 One of the most marvellous men of the day will be seen at the opera house next Tuesday night, when the Sandow Trocaderoi Vaudeviles begin an engagement. No man of our times has excited so much 1n- terest or been more written and talked about than Sandow, the extraordinary athlete. The public which has thronged the theaters where he has appeared has wondered a his marvellous feats of strength, and eminent scientists who have examined him have expressed wonder at his marvel ous physical development. The eminent Dr. Sargent of Boston, who examined Sandow, declared him to be the most per- feet man, physically, who has ever lived. Muscles were found on his body that have never before been discovered on any other human being. The muscles of his stomach have the appearance of corrugated wash. board, and quite as interesting and aston ishing as bis feats of strength is the exhi- bition which he gives of the marvellous control which he has oveNbis muscles.
 The organization includes "rhe Luci- fers,' grotesques from the principal music halls of London; "Tom Browne," the eminent double note whistler; "Eunice Vance," the peerless chanteuse; "Billy Van," the comedian, for several years the principal comedian with Primrose & West; 'tMademoisele MargueriLe,o o the beautiful and accomplished equilibrist, her first ap- pearance in America "Miss Scottie,' the clever calculator and card playing collie dog, exhibiting the highest animal intelli- gence ever attained; ''Ben Durham Qate former of the world; "Amann," Europe's greatest facial mimic, giving life-like re- productions of world-famous men; ''The Marvellous Jordan Family" astonishing aerial acrobats, in indescribable feats, and the peerless ''Sandow' in his remarkable acts of strength, which have so astonished tho world. The entire entertainment is under the personal direction of Mir. F. Zegfeld, Jr. late conductor of the Troca- dero music hall in Chicago.