Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-24
Al O,BRlEN.S.


 The story of Ups and Downs of Life" is a powerfully interesting and strong emotional one, replete with thrilling situ- atfons, a. vein of heart interest perVadlng the entire play. It treats of the mistake of a young girl, Alice Bruce, who, at the age of Is. is lured into clandestine mar rage with an unprincipled adventurer, who. after the marriage, is arrested at the church door for forgery and sem tenced to five years penal servitude. The unhappy girl returns to her fathers house and keeps her secret. A few years afterwards there is an outbreak in the prison and she reads of her husbands death. Later on, deeming herself free, she loves and mafries Vivian Ransome, a gentleman of wealth, and In the midst of all her happiness her first husband ap- pears on the scene. He is engaged as an agent on her second husbands estate, and she makes the mistake of still keep ing her unhappy secret, and from that hour her life is burden, for the scound- rel perseeutes her day and night to ex- tort money and also With his love, which she repels with hate and scorn. In scene of overwhelming interest in the second act, Vivian RansOme surprises them and discovers the whole story and orders the man from his door, then re re pudiates and dfscards his unhappy wife. She wanders away in her lonely. miaera-. ble life and finally, in poor boarding house. unexpectedly meets her second husband. There is a strong complica-. ton in this act. where the first husband is also, and it transpires he has Already wife before marrying the heroine. There is a realistic fire scene. and Vivian Ran some rescaes his wife. The last act re- stores-the situation. The villaintries to force his wife back to him by the power of the. law, when he is confronted and confounded by the appearance of his real wife on the scene. This, of course. gives Alice to her own husband in happiness, and utterly illustrates the william, every thing ending happily.
 The comedy parts the play arise out of a matrimonial advertisement. An Irish servant girl signs herself "A Lady of Rank" She is answered by another menial. who passes off as a lord. pro- ducing very funny complications and creating roars of laughter. Fred War ren. as Alphonzo Smith Miss Gertrude Gill as Alice, R. F. Russell as Noel Nor man, Oliver Byron as Vivian Ransome, Kate Byron as Jane Judkins. The con- pany is strong one, with new and beau tiful scenery.
 One of the promised treats at O'Brien's before the close of the season will be the appearance of Camillo Urso and her grand concert company. This attrac- ton will be hailed with delight by the music-loving people of Birmingham. The following of Madame Urso is from the New York Tribune:
 As violinist she stands today model for many of the virtuosi who have caught the popular ear and live in the sunlight of popular favor. In her case, the idea of sex, which so often obtrudes itself and modifies critical judgment, is never thought of Beethoven once compliment ed prince of Prussia, who was an ex- cellent performer and composer, by say ing that he did not play like prince, but like musician. It would not do to say of Madame Urso, that she does not play like gifted woman, but like man, for the speech. besides being ungallant, would lift many masculine artists to plane which they are not fitted to occupy. It is better, perhaps, to paraphrase the remark of Beethoven, and say that she does not play like either man or woman, but like sound, noble, earnest and in- spired musician. Her playing is inno- cent of every vice, it is rich in every merit Her perfect reposefulness begets confidence in the mind of the listener which frees enjoyment from every concern. Her tone is firm, her taste faultless, her style chaste as Diana. In the "Lassen Concerto" there are some stupendous technical difficulties, which, since some of them cannot be said to contribute to the musical effect of the piece, we fancy are contrived to display the skill of the violinist. These Madame Urso over came In a manner that amazed the know ing without discovering their existence IO lfle uDlcdTHGu liSltHeT IL lS ScdICtly possible to bestow too much praise on such an achievement asfhat of last night, but rather to be deplored that the words of the reviewer, however appreciative and enthusiastic, cannot make its merits understood.
 Actors and actresses who are not born in New York city enjoy a great advant- age over those who are. Very many of the dramatic editors in other cities evil dently take special pleasure in mak- ing note, of the fact that this or that actor or actress is native of their city when ever they play there. It is frequent occurrence to read that So and So is a Boston. Philadelphia, Detroit, Louisville, Washington or some other geographical "boy" or "girl.'' But who ever heard of any one getting any free professional advertising because New York is his na- tive city? It is also a very pleasant cour- tesy to managers, forssit is always sure to effect the receipts pleasantly. In this connection 1t is also worth noting that the proportion of native New Workers in the theatrical profession is exceedingly small. Plays and Players.
 Manager D. w. Truss, usually so sodate and quiet is developing into humorist. A newspaper man called on him a few days ago for news Truss told him that the Wang" opera company was recent ly billed to play at Ogdensburg, N. Y., and almost failed to make the date be- cause the river was frozen between that town and Prescott, on the opposite side. Finally special ferryboat was obtained, the company and scenery were placed on board, and the boat was showed off. They managed to get through the ice pretty well until almost within reach of the op- posite shore, where the ice was thick and jagged: They seemed stuck for good, when some one suggested using the famous company elephant. They got the animal out, hitched him to the boat and he pulled it safely ashore.-Plays and Players. ess7.sf4ss5grss s. es--r.
 
 The local dramatic event of the season will be the presentation of that beauti- fully tuneful comic opera, "Mikado," which will be presented at O'Brien's opera house tomorrow night, Tuesday at matinee and evening. The proceeds of the performance will be devoted to St. Paul's Catholic church. and it Is thought will be very flattering, Judging from the advance sale of tickets reported.
 Never before has there been such carefully selected cast as on this oc- casion. The finest voices in this city have been secured, embracing such well known singers as Mrs. H. H. Sinnige,