Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-12
AT O'BRlEN'S.

When Mrs. Henry Wood wrote her fam ous novel, East Lynne" she drew a beautiful character in the person of Isa- bel Vane, naturally innocent. noble and guileless. Twenty years ago, when 1t was one of the most popular plays of its kind upon the stage, 1t thrilled the hearts and awoke in the human breast all the emo- lions of which it is capable. In following the sad story of the lovely girlhood. the passionate, beautiful womanhood and motherhood, the jealousy and distrust which grew from the seeming indiffer- ence of the husband she loved so well, the yielding through despair to the insinua- tions and smiles of the miscreant who sought her downfall, and the finel an guish martyrdom and death of the lovely but unfortunate Isabel Vane, one cannot help feeling a revival of the old-time affection and interest for the play, and a wish to again weep and thrill over the joys and sorrows it portrays.
 The actress who now brings Isabel Vane to our hearts and sympathies is fully equal to the effort and cannot help but bring to her many triumphs fresh laur- els in her powerful and beautiful render ing of the part she assumes, and can well be called the successor of those older and well remembered stars, Clara MOTHS and Lucille Western, who gave, in days past and gone, such beautiful renditions of the ill-fated but lovely Isabel Vane-
 Eugene Blair has long been a favorite with the public. Her beauty grace and accomplishments make her one of the marked successes of the day. her charm and grace as a woman as well as an ac- tress enshrining her in the hearts of the loving world and giving her ann pie scope for the display of those perfec- tions in the play of East Lynne"
 MT. Robert Downing. the husband of the brilliant actress. Is the director Of the present company. There is no need to tlo 1o ri md Of Mr. Robert Downing as an actor of legitimate drama, but the fact of his being in charge of the present organization insdres It's success from the start
 MT. Edwin Ferry, as leading man, Will be most efficient support to Eugenie Blair, and the public should be glad of the opportunity to witness so charming and complete a production. Miss Blair will appear at OBrien's tonight.
 MAGGIE CLINE IN ION BROADWAY"
 Maggie Cline, the Irish queen, who has thrown down McCloskey every night for several years with unabated vigor, and whose lightning changes from delicious affectation of an aristocratic elegancy or expression to the language and manner of an "Ould Tad," have amused the public without number, has abjured the vaudeville stage and entered the legitl- mate field playing the principal role in piece which was written especially for her by Clay M. GreeHe anu beH leeti, eli- titled "On Broadway" which will be given a brilliant and artistic production on it's visit to Birmingham at the opera house Thursday night.
 A good play gives the best setting in the world for a song, and songs of the right kind give an interest to any dra- matic story that can be gained in no other way It is change that makes life interesting, variety. contrast; and the proper balancing of the dramatic and musical entrance of the play has great deal to do with it's popularity. This is very well brought out in "On Broadway" :" It has strong story, Maggie Chne's clever work is well supported by the very even work of her company. and the performance is punctuated with just enough songs to give the dramatic part of the piece an interesting and musical accompaniment. The righteous wrath of the audience would wreck the theater worse than the "Throwing Down of Me Closkey," if Maggie should dare to appear without singing the songs that she has made so famous.