Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-19
MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC.

One of the largest audiences of the season turned out last evening to witness Denman Thompson's famous play "The Old Homestead" In fact the opera house was taxed to it's full capacity, and
 standing room" was in demand The play is familiar to the theater-goer. It's striking merits require no especial men, ton. However, the heavy audience last evening is significant of the fact that the play-public demand a well ordered variety and high grade attraction, such as the performance of last evening. usually Saturday evening is considered an unfaVorable date for theatrical events, but the management Of the opera house are to be congratulated in over- coming for once the local prejudice Speaking of the cast, 1t may be justly said that Mr. Barker's interpretation of Joshua Whitcomb, the rugged honest farmer, strikes the popular approval. He brings the character close to himself and makes 1t speak in every particular of histrionic art. 9nf The support is hardly up to the leading character but the superb mountings of the play effectually conceal deficiencies in this regard.
 Again, there are some clever specialties introduced, among which is "The Old Homestead" quartette, whose singing evoked hearty and sincere applause.
 Baldwin-Melville Company Next Week.
 The Melville company, one of the strongest repertoire organizations on the road playing at popular prices will open an engagement of five nights and four matinees on Monday night next A change of bill will be given at each per- formance during the week. Matinees especially for ladies and children will be given on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The night prices will be 10 20 and 30 cents Matinee prices, admission 10 cents to any part of the house; re- served seats, 10 cents extra. Ladies will be admitted free on Monday night if ac- companied by person with a paid 30 cent ticket. The following is taken from the Charleston News and Courier of Decem- Der IA:
 The performance of "Loye and Law" by the Baldwin-Melvillec company at the Academy of Music last night was the oc- casion of a speech by Manager Baldwin to the citizens of Charleston. The house was crowded to the doors and standing room could not be had for love nor mon- ey. The boxes and the pits were filled with fashionable people and MT. Baldwin shaped his address accordingly.
 To the vast audience he expressed the thanks of himself and company for the liberal patronage bestowed on them During the week his people had been shown every kindness and they had been hospitably treated by the Charleston folk. He expressed his sincere gratitude to the people of the city and to the press.
 After the show MT. Baldwin was asked for some of the figures in the amount of business done during the week.
 On one night the Academy held 1900 people. At every one of the ten perform ances the house was filled to overlooking and in several instances the people were turned away by the hundreds. At a rough average there was an attendance at each performance of 1500 people. At this estimate the Academy held last week 15,O00 people. The week was a record breaker for any class of show. The re- ceipts for the ten performances were $2800. ,s#5-.tz
 At the matinee performance the upper galleries were filled with ladies, and not another man or child could possibly get into the house.
 MT. Baldwin's company has plenty of good material in 1t. At every perform ance last week a different play was given and the company showed it's ability in that there was not one hitch or flaw dur ing the whole week. Seats on sale tomorrow morning at theater box office