Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-27
THINGS DRAMATIC.

Now that Salvini has added the tragedy of Hamlet to his repertoire, and that 1t has been received at hds hands with considerable acclaim, he may be said to have successfully exploited his talents in every department of the drama. Close observers of the contemporary stage will remember him in the melodrama of "Storm Beaten" in the social drama of "Jim the Penman,' the comedy of "Friend Fritz" in the extravagant he roics of the Three Guardsmen," and lastly in the tragedy of Hamlet" The stage offers but one other avenue, and that Is opera and as he has no mean pow CT as a vocalist he might earn distinction even in this direction, It is not with the Idea of earning a reputation for versa tility that has prompted him to follow SO many diverse paths, for he is too much of a scholar and too sensible to be at tracted' by so dubious a qualification. Perhaps he has a wholesome horror Of being looked upon as specialist or one part player, under which category so many popular stars of the day may be placed. He must realize, however. that financial results would be greater If he confined himself to one school Of acton, and, therefore, 1t Is but fair to credit him with the enthusiasm of the student who considers it wise to probe in every direction before concentrating his et- forts. It may be hoped that he has round his meteor in tragedy, which were but natural if heredity have any influence in his case but in any event he mas probed so well that the eyes Of the ara matic world will be rivited upon him no matter what the future brings fortn. IL is his much talked-of portrayal or Ham let" that will be seen tonight TOT the first time in Birmingham. Tomorrow night he plays the Three Guardsmen."
 
 Minnie tfaddern Fiske.
 The south is rich in theatrical history. From the earliest times of the stage Tn this country it has been celebrated for its theaters, and many of the most dlstln- guished of the profession have either been natives of the south or elected that locality for residence. The south IS new ly honored this season in the person or Minnie Maddern Fiske, native Of New Orleans, who, after a retirement or nVe years from the stage, has suddenly won a prominence that will inspire every American lover of the theater with pride:
 Minnie Maddern Fiske- is remembered as Minnie Maddern, a daughter or Inom- as Dayey and Lizzie Maddern, the former long a prominent theatrical manager or the south, and the latter a member or the remarkably talented family of musicians of that name red-haired, wonderful eyed musicaily-voiced sprite, whose race was as sensitive as flower, and who, beginning to act when she was but a child. passed through all the histrionic possibilities of extreme youth and began to star at the age of 16. She continued as star for about seven years, always rising superior to any play that was pro, yided for her. Suddenly she disappeared from the stage to private life. The crit les bewailed her retirement. But when she reappeared this season in great plays, in which the greatest of foreign actresses had established artistic precedents, m which she enforced new standards or personation. and supplemented thls work by an amazing performance Tn her new play, "The Queen of Liars the critics saw that Mrs. Fiske's retirement had been a movement for development. They have with practical unanimity dur ing the past three months declared her to be the most original and effective emotional actress-in this country and have set her on plane with the greatest of her school abroad. Minnie Maddern Fiske will appear at OBriens opera house Monday and .TuesdaySevenipgs, December 30 and 3l
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