Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-13
The new beers are Schil-
linger's Nonpariel and Min
ers' Old Gold. o-2e-tf
AT O'BRlEN'S.

Louis James. one of Americas leading
tragedians and favorite in this city,
presented last night for the first time at
O Brien's DR.. Birds famous prize produce
ton. "Spanacus." There is a marked
difference between this production and
the version as presented by other TRACE
dams. While not long drawn out, 1t is as
fall as one could desire, and gives full
scope for other players than the star. 1t
requires more than one leading actor, and
necessarily needs a cast of superior abil-
ity. This Mr.. James happily has. Assum-
ing the title role, he has supporting MN
Guy Lindsey as Pharsarius, Collin KEN
per as Crassus, William Sprague as Len
tellus, John Stepping as Bracchius, Miss
Florence Everett as Sonora and MISS Al
ma Kruger as Julia. The other charac-
tiers are also well placed.
Added to this strong cast Mr.. James
has an elegant lot of stage settings and
costumes, which add much to the attrac-
tiveness of the production.
Mr.. James made many strong hits dur
ing the evening, and when in stentorian
tones he exclaimed How many leagues
to Thrace?" the very timbers rang, and
long and loud was the applause wnen ne e
cried wen make Roman Women and
children how'll"
Mr.. Lindsey captured the audience In
his vivid and blood-curdling description
of the wholesale crucifixlon OF Thraclans
by the Roman army. and as the AUDITORS
hung upon his words 1t seemed TO many
as If they were gazing upon the horrible
sight.
one of the most brilliant scenes, per-
haps. in the entire production was the
intercession of Sonora for the lives ana
freedom of the Roman consuPs son and
niece. Desperate through messages from
the consul Spartacus had determined to
repay the consul for the ignominy heaped
upon himself, and he had determined that
they. too, should feel the dreaded knout,
but the sweet and gentle wife won away
the strong determination. and when the
sturdy Thra clan promised freedom where
he had pledged other punishment the APP
pIause was loud and well merited,
All in all. the performance was grand,
and those present so attested.
Notes.
There are numerous instances amongst
the theatrical and professions men fol-
lowing one calling while preparing for
another. Pond, the pitcher of the Balti-
more Baseball club, 1t may not be gen.
orally known, plays ball In the summer
time to derive means with which to at
tend a medical college in the winter.
Another instance of almost the same
kind Is Harry Vokes. the gentlemanly
little comedian, co-star with Happy
Ward in "a Run on Bank" During
the several years OF the partnership OF
the Messrs. Ward and Vokes, Mr.. Vokes
has been a constant student of Thera-
putics and Geometry at his lovely sum-
mer home at Crescent Beach, Mass, a
short run from Boston. Mr.. VokeS has an
elegant library and laboratory in which
he devotes most of his leisure time dur
ing the summer. Several professionals
have attested to the decided worth of the
discovery of Mr.. Vokes Of a powder of
great value for insomnia sunstrolxe and
opening nights.
Mr.. T. Wilmot Eckert and Miss Emma
Berg, the lyric artists who have made
admirers everywhere with the Ward and
vokes "a Run on the Bank" company
for the past two seasons, are retained
with this excellent Organization for the
present season, md vii! be heard in new
selections. Mr.. Eckert's fine work on the
piano forte is most enjoyable part of
this very select speciality portion OF "A
Run on the Bank" The Ward and Voiles
company appear at the opera house to-
night.