Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-24
THINGS DRAMATIC.

Sheridan Knowles great tragedy, "Vir- ginius," was produced at O'Brien's opera house last night by James O'Neill and his excellent company of players. MT. O'Neill had been seen here in this popular play before and theater-goers knew what to expect of him, yet they were surprised at the magnificent manner in which "Vir- ginius' was presented.
 When he played "Virginius'' here last season MT. O'Nell had practically the same supporting company that is now with him. a fact that evinces their fit- ness for the roles assigned them.
 MT. O'Neill made a capital Virginius. He is not so large as some others who play the character, but while he is on the stage the audience forgets all about his size and only notices the magnificence of the man and the excellence of his act fng. They care not whether the man be- fore them weighs 175 or 275 pounds They admire what he does and not what he is. lBut large or small MT. O'Neill pleases his audiences, and that is sufficient.
 Appius Claudius, the tyrant deceiver Is well placed with MT. Hallet Thomp- son, whose acting is admirable.
 Miss Florence Rockwell is lovely Vir- ginia She is pretty, has a sweet voice and possesses histrionic talent of high order.
 w. H. Pascoe does the trying parts re- quired of Icillius most cleverly.
 The other characters are well placed, with Albert Sackett as Cassius, John c. Dixon as Dentatus, w. J. Dixon as Nu- natorius Walter Mccullough as Lucius and Miss Kate Fletcher as Servia.
 Tonight MT. O'Neill will appear as the Count of Monte Crsto in the play by that name. This is said to be his strongest character and he will no doubt be greet ed with a large and fashionable house. Salvini as ''Hamlet.''
 In these days, when the better element of the play-going world is keenly on the watch for the coming American trage- dian, comment such as has been aroused over Salvinis portrayal of Hamlet would naturally stir up an enthusiastic local interest in his forthcoming appearance here. It was at first arranged for him to appear in "The Three Guardsmen" on the opening night, but Manager Wilkn- son has agreed to substitute Hamlet" for the Friday night performance.
 Hamlet" as presented by Salvini, is what is technically called by theatrical managers as a pro duction," which means that all the accessories, scenic equipment, mechanical effects. costumes and every thing concerned in the presentation of the play is the property of the organiza- tion and built and designed for that par ticular play alone. Perhaps the only actor with whom Salvini may be com pared as a master of stage technique and a designer of artistic scenic illusion is MT. Henry Irving, and did MT. Salvini have the means at his command he would probably have but little to concede to his illustrious English contemporary. With the exception of the armor work, Salvinfs production of Hamlet" was turned out by American workmanship entir ly the scenery being painted by Mr. Ambruster of Columbus and the cos Inn hninp tha work Of Maurice Her mann of New York. The armorial prop critics. swords, shields helmets, etc., were all made in Paris al the house of Richard Gutperle, where all the orders are placed for the famous Comedie Francaise and the grand opera of the French capitol.
 Of Salvini's conception of the title role. which is very different from that of most actors who have assayed 1t in recent years, 1t may be said that while many of the critics have taken issue with him as to many of his deductions, and that here and there faults are found,it is nev- ertheless a fact that since the decease of Edwin Booth no actor has been received in this role with such acclaim IS Salvini. Unlike most actors, who sink the poet in a sea of mystical Reclamation, Salvini is said to make very human Hamlet, and one that not even the most callouS spec tator could go to sleep over. AS may be conjectured that which has mostly con- tributed to his success in this role Is his manly figure and noble, mobile counte- nance, his rich and moving voice, his panther-like grace of movement, tre- mendous energy, fire and magnetism. Whatever faults he may be justly or un- justly accused of at present, it seems very evident that after his performance has been mellowed by frequent repetition it will eventually develop into one of those grand and memorable impersona- tions that live in the traditions of the stage long after the actor has passed away, and thus give him his hold on fame.
 ..The Three Guardsmen," of course, will be the bill on Saturday night.
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