Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-25
ROBSON AND JAUNEsCHEK.

Manager Charles Wheldn on MONDAY
evening, December 2S, offers at O'Brien's
opera house that inimitable comedian.
Stuart Robson, and his excellent com
pany of players, headed by the widely
known tragedienne, Madame Jauneschek,
in two sterling comedies, an Introductory
comedy Of one-act length called ''Mr Gil
mans Wedding" and that great French
English production, MRS Pondefburys
Past" The evening will be one replete
with wit, humor and laughter AS the
young husband Mr. Gilman. about to be
drawn into bigamy suit through mis-
taken identity, Mr. Robson will no doubt
please the younger members OF his aq-
dience. who much prefer him in the role
of the young and luckleSs lover, While
the rest of his audience will perhaps adj
mire him more In the role of old Mr.. Pom
derbury, who for twenty years has been
the much domineered husband of a wife
who has ruled husband and household
with an iron will. The character Of Mrs.
Ponderbury is an imposing one, and
needs an able artist to give 1t just enough
of austerity without making it grim and
unlovable. It is said that Madame Jaun-
eschek has lent it an Interpretation that
at once places il beyond that which any
other could have secured. OF the several
scenes wherein the strong comedy OF the
piece vies with the strong dramatic is the
studio scene, where Matthew, sly, trans
crossing Matthew, with a foEdness still
for willy women, meets the ex-music hall
singer and joins with her in a hilarious
dancing scene, and upon which his wife
comes most inopportuneiy. 1t is here that
the weak-willsd Matthew shows his
sherwdness by at once feigning SOM
nambulism and so perfectly does he carry
out his maneuver that he actually sue
ceeds in deceiving his wife The studio
scenery is said to be one of the prettiest
stage pictures of its kind. and the scene
enacted within it one of the most-humor-
Gus of anything yet portrayed.
JOHN GRIFFITH AS RICHARD ILL.,
What is claimed to be the most elabor-
ate scenic production OF Richard III"
is billed for the opera house on Janury
l New Years day., matinee and even
ing. Mr.. John Griffith, who will be seen
in the title character, is a young man
with a magnificent voice, a splendid
physique, with wonderful control of ex-
preston. He has been starring the coun-
try for the past few years in the legiti-
mate drama with much success, and has
created somewhat of a sensation this sea-
son as King Richard Ill, which he has
lately added to his repertoire. The only
other Richard of any note today before
the American public is Thomas w.
Keene, and as he plays but a few weeks
this sason it Is most likely that he will
not be seen much as Richard III" thus
leaving the field to this young man.
A large and thoroughly capable COM
pdily Will uSSlSI MI. GTiIIllD,
Anna Boyle Moore, Eugene Moore and
Others On Saturday matinee Mr. Crit
fifth will play "Mephisto" in a spectacu-
lar version of Faust"
Owing to Manager Whelan having can
celled the second nights performance of
Flagg's Ministries, O'Brien's opera house
was dark last night.
1.-TWO JOHNS"
Mr.. Stuart Edwards, advance represent,
tative of the original 1.-TWO Johns" Com
edy company, is in the city arranging for
the coming of his company at OBriens
on the 50th.
So you want to laugh? If so go see the
1.-TWO Johns at the opera house. S. C.
Stewart and William B. hurry appear as
the Johns" These funny fat men have
made themselves famous the world over,
and their laughable personality has made
he play equally famous. There Is no
blood thirsty or mysterious plot in the
play 1.-THE Two Johns" Just simply
case of mistaken identity and the resem-
blance which two fat men bear to each
other which get them into all sorts Of
ridiculous scrapes. The supporting COM
pany is good one, including number
of clever erformers.-Baltimore Sun.
1.-THE Two Johns" the funniest, clean
est and best farce comedy ever written-
Now York Herald