The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-02-05
AT THE OPERA HOUSE.


David Holmes. editor and literary critic
OF The Review" $50. Sol Smith Russell
Gerald Holmes, David's brother, a
pleasure seeker ....... Arthur Forrest
Martin Beggs David's secretary and
confidential man ...... Geo. w. Denham
Mr.. Savage. modern literary Nance.
Observation-Disclosures. George Alison
Harold REYNOLDS, on the staff OF The
Review" ................ Addison Pitt
Mr., Mulberry. an antique literary man
..,.............,...... Alfred hudson
James observation-disclosures. George Cooke
sylvia. Davld's ward. Bertha Creighton
Helen IeGrand, Dayid's sister. widow
of the world ..... Beatrice Moreland
Harriet Leicester. society girl'..:.
.............. Gertrude Rivers Alison
Miss Clementina. a maiden lady with a
sharp tongue. Fanny Addison Pitt
Everybody wanted to see Sol Smith Rus
sell at the opera house last evening and
many more saw him than could be accom-
modated with seats. 1t is no longer
question with Sol Smith Russells manager
whether the patronage will be good. but
what is the seating capacity OF the house.
Year by year this eminent comedian and
inimitable actor has grown upon the pub
lie His success has been attained. too, by
pure merit-naturai gifts highly cult
no noisy bid for popularity or notoriety.
| What he does Is done in the easiest and
| most natural manner possible. But in this
| consists the highest art OF acting. Sol
| Smith Russell was born an actor and has by
| diligent study, by conscientious, painstak-
| iIE methods raised himself into the front
| rank of his profession. lie possesses an
| individuality and mannerisms peculiarly
his own and u knowledge of the higher
| stage art second TO none. He is today, pos
! sibly. the most finished and popular com
| edian. In the better sense Of that term. in
| America, while as an intelligent character
| actor he has but few equals.
| The audience last night expected Il treat
and few. If any. We're disappointed. The
new vehicle for the display of Mr.. Rus
| sells peculiar talents Is an excellent legi-
innate comedy drama, In which the comedy
| Is confined not TO the lines but to the sit
| uations. In that respect 1t Is striking. II
| requires. OF course. under such circum-
| stances. Il strong company for its interpre-
| tation and the company with Mr., Russell
| is Il superior one. The Bachelors Ro-
nance" and the cast are equally good. 1t
| is superfluous to say that Sol Smith Rus
| sell as David Holmes was the central figure
Of interest. The quaint personality the
| delicate touches of pathos the refined
| flashes of comedy. that were embodied in
the character and actions of the literary
devotec who afterward discovered that he
| had a heart and there was something else
| In life save books and reviews and editorial
drudgcry were all easily. skillfully and
naturally portrayed by this thoroughly In
tolligent actor. His fine work was appre-
cated and applaudod from beginning to
finish and he was compelled to respond
after the second act to an enthusiastic cur
tain call.
| The support was tip-top. without eNcep-
tion. Mr. Denham as old Martin Beggs,
| the faithful secretary and confidential man
| Of David Holmes. divided the lrDnors with
! MIR. Russell Mr.. Forrest as Dayid's
brother. did some excellent work, and 20
! with the other gentlemen in the cast. The
ladies were exceptionally good Miss
Bertha Creighton as Sylvia was rs charm
| ing as she was effective and the other fe-
male roles were admirably flled.
The entire performance was clean
smooth. thoroughly enjoyable and OF a
high order OF merit and 1t is hoped Sol
Smith Russell will not fail to visit us again
when he has anything equally as good to
present to the public.
TONIGHT and tomorrow matinee another
thoroughly first class attraction VIII be
seen at the opera house in THE Speoula-
tor" with Mr.. Thomas O. Seabrooke as the
bright particular star