The evening times., 1896-12-24
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a BEAtI ltaL NEW STAR.
Eugenie BlaiI's Claim to Eminenct
as an Actress of the Emotional.

Lovers of emotional drama are experien-
cling a real treat in Eugenie Blair's produc-
ton OF Mrs. Woods familiar and delight
ful play OF East Lynne IL is said that
there is 40 story which so surely draws
tears from the audience as this one. 1t is
not a new play, nor is it u great play, but
it is an interesting drama 1t has many OF
the elements of greatness, and the story 1t
tells is one Of human heart and fran
will, that does not measure its age by its
years, for truth goes on forever.
East Lynne ike Camille" and
Hamlet has been hacked about in the
repertoire Of every aspiring thespian.
Like the other pieces, it is weighed down
with the burden OF other sins than its own
Its very own excellence has been its
worst enemy, for it has been the magnet
To attract all sorts-and no sort-of genius.
1t WAS first given It's rightful place in
the list OF great plays 10y Lucille Western,
a woman OF genius, and an actress OF
emotional superiority. From that day to
| this, through a long list, there has not
been worthy successor in the roles OF
Lady Isabel and Mime. Vine, until Eugenie
Blair brought to the part the surety OF her
| art. and the charm of her personality
Admirable s has been Miss Blair's play
ing OF the classic herUines, performances
which have endeared her to whoever has
seen them and have written her name high
on the list of Americas S dramatic artistes,
she has, in her present excursion into the
emotional surpa ssed even the broadcst
| latitude given heretofore to the measure
of her versatility.
Miss Blair has the first requisite OF a
| successful star. She is beautiful wom-
an. Her figure is perfect in roundcd d ma
turity, her carriage, graceful as queen,
and her handsome face reflects the intel
ligenCe of a superior mind. In her acting
! she denotes the varying phases OF her
character : history with lldellty which
is not only felt by herself, but is caught
| by the audience through her active mag
DetisIn.
as Lady Isabel she first appears as the
young bride, buoyant and happy in the FIRST
| days OF the honeymoon. Her fervent love
| is such that any man might cOvet. So re-
| splendent, charming and tender is this
| woman thar almost 5 the perfidious WOO
| ing of Sir Francis forgiven before such a
| temptation. Then She changes to the jeal-
Gus wife and the sweetness and trustfuness
| vanishes before the assertion OF the deeper
| passions and she rises to fine heights in
| the elopement scene.
Her third act is a sweet and sympathetic
| picture of the guilty woma n exposed to her
| own guilt. She is crushed, repentant, but
| still proud, and alwa VS. is her nature sweet
| encd and her heart stcadfast inthc maternal
| instinct which binds her to her children.
| In all else that she does is exhibited the
subtle denotements of gifted artist, and
| the audience is at the same time impressed
| with the emotional persuasion or beau
| tiful and magnificent creature.
Eugenie Blair inherits all the rights
| of personal charm and worth of Lucille
| Western In the stand She has taken as an
| emotional star 1t is not easy TO find on
| the American stage a woman who can
| surpass her in combined talent and beauty.
Other countries have their artist worthy
| to depict tine passion of the fairer, but
| Trailer, sex, but Eusenie Blair stands well
| forward as the most promising represen-
| tative of the school OF ac,ing in this coun-
|