The Portland daily press., 1896-10-20
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Virginius.

Virginius.
Sheridan Knowles tragedy of Virginius
held the attention of the most cultured
classes of theatre goers for nigh on to a
century. 1t was first produced at Covent
Garoen theatre London, May 1th, 1921
when Macready assumed the title role
and the author was a delighted occupant
of one of the boxes. 1t was produced for
the first time in America at Anthony g
theatre, New York, September Goth,
1920, with Mr.. Haywood as Virginius,
but 1T did not capture the public till
February 18th, 1884, when its full
beauties were revealed by that remark
ably strong cast in which Thomas Cooper
Wac Virginius, Thomas Ham blin the
Icilius. Ewdin Forrest the Dentatus, and
Priscilla Cooper the Virginia. After
Cooper the title role passed to Forrest
and thsnce to several of the later known
stars of the American stage, of whom the
late John Mccullough was one of the
strongest and most impressive.
MIR. O'Neill, If we are not misin-
formed carried spear in the Virginius
presented by Forrest While he is by no
means an imitator of the great tragedian
his style is similar. His is robust
Virginius; Virginius that in the midst
of his great mental suffering is more
boisterous than intense. This was more
especially noticeable in the scene in the
camp where Lucius informs him of
Claudius's claim upon Virginia. There
vvQ Ot Sh in 10
scene. that intense expression of the
bitterness of the Roman who secs
through the specious veil that Appius
has flung around his too l Claudius, but
rather the uncheck ed passion of the man
that has free vent. 1t is, perhaps, a
more natural expression of feeling to give
the lines as Mr.. O'Neill does, but
Virginius claims that he will be so
patient. Mr.. O'Neill was remarkably
fine as the tender, affeotionate father in
the first a5t, where he recognizes the love
of Virginia for Ioilius, and in the scene
in the forum in the fourth act in which
he kills Virginia to save her from the
pollution of Appius he was very strong.
In his stern determination to sacrifice his
contempt of Appius alternating with his
affectionate oaressing of Virginia stirred
many TO tears. Mr.. O'Neill's Virginius
is delight after the many plays of an
emasoulsted character that now OCCUPY
the STAGE The distinguished actor was
called before the curtain twice during
the evening. His reception was warm.
.bo
in Portland.
. . Mr.. O'Neilrs company is gof one.
The actors understand how to deliver
their lines and, for the most part, look
the characters they assume. Mr.. Pascoe's
Ioilins was a strong impersonation.
When he first came on he could not speak
for few moments from the applause of
old friends. He was a good lover, and
was at his best in the scene where be de-
ties Ciaudius. Miss Anglin was a very
pretty, graceful, modest Virginia, and
she became favorite at once. The other
characters were well taken and the piece
very fairly mounted and costumed
Mr.. O'Neill makes several changes in
the traditional business OF the tragedy.
He kills Virginia with the sword of
Caius Claudius, which he snatches from
him, instead of the butcher knife of
history. In the last act the scenes are
transposed, being placed in an inverse
order and ending with the forum scene,
whencs Virginius has dragged Appius
from the prison and stranglei him.
Tonight Mr.. O'Neill will appear as
the Count of Monte Crlsto."
The Country Merchant.
Mr.. Charles Cowles, an actor who
possesses the happy faculty to provoke
laughter as we'll as tears, will appeal for
favors at the Portland theatre next
Friday and Saturday evenings. Mr..
Cowles will have the pleasure of present.
ing Mckee Rankin's successful comedy
drama, "a Country Merchant" in
which he impers onates Yankee chara O.
tor of the highest and best type. In every
movement, every question, and in
every line of his work MIR. Cowles gives
uDmistakable evidence of his artistic
abilities and his powers TO confine him
self to natural methods; never once does
he permit O dramatic house to prompt
him. Eoen Baxter is just such a
creation as the author intended him to
be, kind, symathetio old countryman,
and Mr.. Cowles invests the character
with an uncommon charm that never
fails to win the admiration of an
audience. "a Country Merchant" will
unquestionably prove an enjoyable play
hero, as it has il all parts of the country
during the past two seasons.