The Portland daily press., 1898-10-06
MUSIC AND DRAME.
VIRGINIUS.

1t Is a pleasure to turn from the tinsel
and glitter, the gorgeousness of raiment
the witless. dialogue, and the tinklins
melodies, and caperings of the modern
spectacular extravaganza and farce come
DIV to the graceful dress, the noble senti-
ments the pure English, and the powerful
acting that pertain to the standard dramf
of V1rginius, the drama that has endured
and will endure when the productions
that now fill theatres are forgotten.
The audience that witnessed Mr.. James
O'Neiu's powerful presentation of thu
Roman centurion at the Jefferson last
evening was light in numbers, bat thor
oughly in touch with actor and comp ny
aud very enthusiastic. 1t is two years
since Mr.. O'Neill appeared in the charact
er in Portland, and all the praise we be-
slowed upon him then we feel called upon
to emphasize now. The role is one that
all the great actors of the dag since
Knowles wrote the tragedy, have delighted
to assume. Many of them have been seer
in it in Portland Forrest, Davenport,
McCulloeh and Louis James are among
those that we recall besides MIR. O'Neill
in the part. How dignitied Mr.. C'Nelll
was in the character last night. HOW
clear and distinct the elocution. HOW
well set off was his fine figure by the
graceful Roman dress. What a wealth oil
love was displayed in the. first act for VIZ
ginia and Icilius. How grand his BURST
of passion in the second act when Luelus
tells him of Claudius' claim ON virginia
How touching tine mad scene where ne
sacrifices his daughter to save her from
Appius. The audience appreciated the
well rounded performances fully, and at
the end of the second act specially called
him twice before the curtain.
Mr.. O'Neill was very fairly supported
Miss Minnie Radcliffe was gentle,
shrinking graceful Virginia. MIR. Fred
erick Hartley a strong forceful Icilius;
Mr.. Mark Ellsworth a most capable
Dentalus; Mr.. Edmund L. Breese was
effective Appius; Mr.. Winn Dixon good
Nunatorus and Mr.. z. 6. Linghan an
acceptable Caius Claudius. Miss Kate
Fletcher was a very good Seryia.. Mr..
Breese received call at the close OF the
first act for his strong scene just before
the curtain fell.
Tonight Mr. O'Neill will present his
new play 'When Greek Meets Greek, !"
founded upon the events of the French
Revolution, in which Mr.. O'NeiH as
snmes the character of Henri LayeDe,
Count Fournier. The play is most at
tractively staged and costumed according
to the Paris Of the trumvirate and is pro-
nounced by the press extremely interest
ing.
THE GEISHA.
Though the season is very young, yet
it is safe to say that one of the great at
fractions of this fall, SO far as comic
opera is concerned, will be the produc-
ton at the jefferson theatre on Friday
night and Saturday matines and evening
of the Japanese musical play, 1.-The Gel
sha,'' from Days Theatre, New York.
Mr. DAILY himself is authority for the
statement that the Geisha was one of his
most successful productions, and that its
success at his London House was only
duplicated by it's success at his Broadway
theatre. The production is complete in
every way, and the organization carr les
its own orchestra, hence the unpleasant
features of an orchestra unfamiliar with
the music, is entirely done away with,
and both singers and orchestra will be
in perfect harmony. The young ladies
in the cast are said to be- young, with
very pleasing voices. Tickets are selling
rapidly.
THE STAR COURSE.
Tickets for reserved seats for the Star
Course can be obtained at NJ. Steinert &
Sons Speaking of Miss Sybil Sammis,
the vocalist, who will appear at the open
ing concert, with Brookes band, Friday,
October IA, opening the course, An E&-
change says: "Miss SibVl Sammis she
beautiful and charmingly gifted fChicago
girl. is the vocal soIoisu again this season,
W hioh adds greatly the attraction of
the entertainment. Few singers before
the public take such ready hold of popu
lar favor as this young oantatrice of girl
ish grace, rare vocal gifts and high artis-
tic development. Her triumphs have
scarcely been second to those of the band,
and every where she is received with the
sincerest cordially. Her voice is pure
clear and brilliant mezzo-sopranO.