St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-05-22
IN THE THEATERS.
James o'Neill in "virsinius."


Sheridan Knowles tragedy, "Vir-
einDs," was most ably presented last
night at the Metropolitan. with James
O'Ncill in the title role. Those who
have only seen him in ''Monte Cristo"
can have but faint idea of his power in
tragedy. Last night was only his eight
eenth presentation of the play, aud at
the close of the fifth act he made a
short speech, after repeated curtain
calls. II
He said that he was trying to get
away from Monte Cristo," and into the
legitimate again.
That lie emlnently succeeded in
showing st. Paul his ability in this
direction was conceded by the approval
OF the large audience present.
He was supported by well-balanced
accompany, and this set Off his finished
portrayal to advantage. In the fifth
act, where he defes the unholy desire
OF Appius Claudius by thrusting knife
into the heart of his daughter, Virginia.
and in the last act, when his mind tot
ters and reason leaves him, resulting in
his strangling Appius, ne is especially
effective. The play suits him, and he
fills completely the part assigned him
in 1t.
The Appius of Ed j. Morgan, who
makes one think somewhat of Barrett,
is well drawn, and Lillian Daily, as
Virginia, is perfection. The Roman
gown becomes her tall and slight figure,
and she does not OverdO her part. The
other characters were admirably taken.
Tomorrow night Mr.. ONeiil again
presents Monte Cristo."
~
Everybody who saw AL q. Fields Co.
lumbar miuStrels when they made
their appearance i'll this city last season
will remember the furore they created
by the originality and novelty of the
entertainment, and it is doubtful if any
minstrel organization ever gave such
universal satisfaction as did this one.
They will be seen again at the Metro
politan next Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday nights, and the house
will no doubt be crowded to its utmost
capacity. This year every feat
ure is entirely new and original,
and genuine novelty has been created
for the first part, which. for magnifi.
cence and beauty. has never been
equaled. The company remains prac-
tically the same as before, and num-
bars fifty of the best burnt-cork artists
OF the day, and is headed by AL e. Field
himself, who has no equal Oh the mill
strei stage as comedian. This organ
iZatlOn is the only one i'll existence that
travels on its own train of palace cars,
which were built expressly for its use.
A grand and novel street parade will be
one Of the features of the day.
~
Commencing next Thursday night the
McGibeny Family Opera company will
open three nights engagement at the
Metropolitan opera house, presenting
Otfenbach's" Princess of rrebiZonde."
This company comprises the. famous
musical McGibeny family, noted as the
largest musical family in the world, to-
gether with competent support.
The McGibenys have always been
prime favorites in St. Paul, and their
appearance in concert was always hailed
as one of the special events of the sea-
son. -51
After twenty years continuously be-
fore the public us caterers to tile
musical tastes of the people,
they decided at the close of their con-
cert tour of '93 that this season they
would make new aid radical departure
from their former style Of entertain
ment. and. win that end in view, CHOSE
the field of comic opera, with Offen-
bach's beautiful comic opera. princess
of Trebzonde," as the vehicle best
adapted to display their varied talents.
Besides presenting this opera in a
| painstakihg ana artistic manner, they
make Il special feature of introducing a
large number of musical special1ies by
different members of the family, which
were gems of their concert programme.