Birmingham age-herald., 1894-09-23
THINGS DRAMATIC.

'The Operator, - a spectacular drama, was the attraction at O'Brien's for two performances yesterday and drew large houses.
 The attraction is peculiarly strong in more than one particular. The stars, Messrs. Willard and William Newell, are twins, and are so very nearly alike as to lead one to almost believe it is an impos- ture, the two roles being carried by one person. Such is not the case, however, as both are introduced at the same time in several thrilling situations on the stage, and the delusion is thereby swept aside. There are three other particularly strong attractions, the shipwreck, message from the dead and plunge of a pilot engine into a trestle distance of 20 feet. These three spectacles are exceedingly good, and elici- ted warm applause from the audiences.
 "The Operator" quartette was pleasing addition, being received with vociferous encores whenever they appeared.
 Willard Newell as Silas Jackson, the vil- lain, who assumes the role of George Dar- rington (Wiliam NewelD, has been seen the artist, but as Silas Jackson he is afforded much greater scope, and made much of the character. Especially strong was he in the scene in the telegraph office, Where be receives the "message from the dead.''
 Mir. William Newell was also very good, and was equally as we'll received as his brother Both are capable artists and de- serve the good support they received.
 Harry English (not our Harry, John Sanders and Henry Winchell in their re- spective roles were above the average and Were entitled to more than passing credit George Heath was very clever, having the making of good actor in him, and bids fair to become favorite.
 Misses Leslye Lysle and Lillian Warde were decidedly clever and carried their parts with a smoothness and grace which made them friends.
 . Mrs. Zela English was also very good in her part and the others were fair. ai SING A SONG OF slXPENCE.
 Singing is the oldest known music. The voice is the most useful of all endowments. Eminent musicians have received fabulous sums for their performances upon their favorite instruments. But no instru- mentalist has ever received the pay or praise for their work that the Pattis, Neil. sons, Linds, etc., have for their vocal ef- forts. Singing is always source of en- joyment. Recognizing this fact Al G. Field has collected one of the strongest singing parties ever brought together by a minstrel manager. Will Walling, the noted tenor, is the vocal director. Arthur Yule is late arrival from England and is possessed of a remarkable voice.
 He gives limitations of all the noted sing CTS of the times, and sings soprano, tenor, baritone, contralto and bass-his natural singing voice being a robust tenor. J. Walter Wilson is a basso of note; as IS W. H. McPherson. As a solo singer MT. Me- Emerson has sweet, powerful voice, as clear in the upper tones as deep toned bell. George Hassell, the male soprano, is another vocalist who has won distinction. Harry J. Howard, another tenor, is the au- thor of many ofthe popular ballads of the day. Carl Ihoman is the baritone. Law renee Diamond, Will Reich, Steadman | Jones and L. L. Collins are others of the cultured choir of singers that will make harmony with the Al. G. Field minstrels and Spectacular Pantomime of Aladdin at O'Brien's, on Tuesday night, for one | performance.
 TWO GREAT WAR PLAYS. Some people believed that after "Shenan- doah' 1t would be long time before an- | other war play stirred the public pulse. But Messrs. Fyles & Belasco wrote ''rhe | Girl l Left Behind Me-" and tor whole | Charles Frohman was the lucky manager who brought out the two best war plays of | the century.
 | This play will be presented at O'Brien 's opera house next Wednesday and should draw a very large audience.
 1 s'THE COLONEL" .The Colonel,' a lively musical comedy | adapted from the German by Oscar P. Sis | son, will be presented to the theater- going 1 public of this city Thursdey night next. | The play relates the embarrassments and | complications that follow the irregularities | of young husband, who, while his wife | was away on visit, disguised himself and | went out in the manner of the Callph of l Ragdad looking for adventures. He hap pened to be of some slight assistance 10 an 1 attractive young woman, who seemed to have lost her way in the London fog, and there was an innocent filtration In which the masquerader, calling himself Haroun Al Rashid, acted up to the character by calling l the young woInan his fbeloved child. Y The night and the fog were chilly, and I Haroun gallantly tied his handkerchief l about the throat of his "beloVed child'' to 1 protect her from the cold, her dress being 1 cut none too high in the neck. He didn't | know at the time that the handkerchief bore his full name and address, thanks to the ethoughtfulness of his mother law, who, without consulting him, had marked all his clothing and haberdashery with that information.
 The next day the beloved daughter, who proved to be serio- comic from the Aquarian music hall huntedlup her gallant Haroun Al Rashid for the chief purpose of having some fun with him. It happened that the incau- tious husband was expecting that very day the arrival of a niecs from America, whose guardian he is. The vigilant mother-in- law enters wh, t5e music hall artist Is