Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-02
A FINE PERFORMANCE.
MT. John Griffith Presents Shakespeare's Richard IT." In a Masterly Man.
 ner-"Faust" at Today's Matinee.

MT. John Griffith and a strong company of actors presented yesterday afternoon and last night, at OBrien's, Shakpeares celebrated tragedy, Richard H." to small, but appreciatiye audiences.
 MT. Griffith is a new star in the south ern Armament, but if he succeeded every where as here, his reputation in Dixie is thoroughly established.
 He is capable and exact to a nicety in the portrayal of that most difficult role of the many times murderer. whose sole ambition was to wear a crown. His rem dition was perfect, his acting the same and his facial expressions exact. His strongest effort was his awakening from the slumber on the eve of his last mem orable bath after the horrible visitation of his murdered victims His assimilated humility and his devilish cunning were appreciated to a marked degree.
 In MT. Eugene Moon he has most ex- cellent support. AS Buckingham and Richmond he was very strong, more es- pecially the former. When cast off by him whom he was most instrumental in making monarch, his acting was very fine. His VOW of vengeance was perfect.
 Miss Anna Boyle Moore, as Lady Anne, wife of the Duke, afterward king, was another pleasing acquisition. Of mag nificent form and appearance. with be- fitting carriage, she portrayed the eX- acting role admirably.
 Miss Helen Gray and Master Moore, as the two sons of the murdered king, were clever.
 Miss Elizabeth Monsowatt, as the queen, and Miss Morton, as the Duchess of York, were good.
 The others in the cast were placed.
 At today's matinee, which will be MT. Grifith's last appearance, will be pre- sented Faust" the play which made Louis Morrison famous.
 THE GALLEY SLAVE.
 Bartley Campbell wrote many success ful dramas, including My Partner" "The Galley Slave" Geraldine" Siberia" "FairfaX' and Separation" but none of them has become as popular as his fa- nous picture of the sunny south" 'The White Slave" which has been acted al- most constantly since the night of its initial production, April 3, 1882, not only in this country, but in all the principal cities of the old world.
 Nearly every prominent player on the stage today has, at one time or another. played in this soul stirring drama, which will be seen at O'Brien's on Wednesday afternoon and evening. It. is in direct line with the prevailing popular taste, being at times pathetic, humorous and spectacular. "The White Slave's' plot is so intensely interesting, the scenic and mechanical effects so picturesque and thrilling at the same time, that 1t has held It's 2rlD on the, CnedteF SOlDS Inll- lions during all these years. The story is one of southern life in the days before the war; but it is treated in fresh and novel manner, and in the misfortunes that follow Lisa" the White Slave the anguish of heart and physical hardships she is called upon to bear, the audience find much to call forth their sympathy and even to compel tears.
 The skill with which the climaxes are arranged demonstrates the wondrous power of the lamented Campbell.
 The company has been selected with a view to making the best possible presen- tation of the worlk.
 Helena Collier, Louise Sydmeth Gladys Deane, Lizzie May Ulmer, Katharine Col Her, Mary Berrell. E. l.. Snader, Frank Roberts Frank Drew. Thomas Garrick, Charles Webster, Charles Drake and Har- ry Hockey will be seen in the favorite roles
 Beautiful living pictures. such as '"rhe Old Kentucky Home.'' "The Burning of the Belle Creoe,'" "Thee Floating Wreck in 9. rain storm of real water and the deserted "Red Devil Island"
 Fifty negroes will sing the old-tirre southern melodies, ie 4i, the White Slave" quartette, whi.. Ii iyrsn tni-ss-e touch of realism to the plant ~ ! ,ene. In fact everything has been done to add to the effectiveness of the play which will be given for the first time under the direction of Robert and John Campbell, sons of the author.