The age-herald., 1898-11-16
~THE PLAYS
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Vests big minstrel jubilee will be seen at the opera house Thursday night only.
 MT. West is great favorite with Bir- mingham theater-goers, and since his sepa- ration from MT. Primrose, he has gathered together one of the strongest minstrel com binations that has ever been presented in this country.
 Carroll Johnson and Tom Lewis the witty end-men who handle the bones, and Jose, Stewart, Gorman Kent, Garland, and Frillman among the singers and fun-makers Of course it is useless to comment on the Beau Brummel of min strelsy, w. H. West.
 One of the specialties of the performance is MT Vests original production, Re member the Maine," with MT. West as Captain Sigsbee.
 With the company is the famous contra tenor, Jose. MT. loses life, like that Of many of the worlds great singers, has been romantic and interesting. He was born in London, but left home at the age or lz and came to America. Landing In New York, the only employment he could find was In blacksmith shop. This barely gave him the means of subsistence. Though he was poor from a financial standpoint, he was rich, and he knew 1t not, in the gift of nature. His voice, which is contra tenor, first attracted attention among his associates, and finally he secured a position in the choir of the Episcopal church of New York It was while singing in this churce that he attracted the attention of a wealthy Californian. who offered him a large salary to sing in a church. in San Francisco. He rose rapidly in the favor of the Es1sical public, and was finally sent to Europe to study under some of the great masters. Soon after reaching London he sang for Shakespeare, the celebrated vocal teacher. Mir. Shakespeare was astonished At the qualities his voice poSsessed, and said to him: T would be glad to have you for a pupil but I cannot paint the lily. Don't run the risk of letting any teacher. ruin such an organ as nature has given you He is today considered the Patti in Trousers"
 Ward & Vokes and their big troupe of farce comedy authorities will be seen at OBriens opera house Thursday night. These unique comedians come to us this time under the most favorable auspices, new company, new scenery, new costumes and everything bright and fresh for the present tour. 'The Governors" which is the name of their new vehicle, is simply handle for evening full of that popular kind of fun which has made Ward & Vokes famous in all American cities. The excel lenee of the production, however. lies in the unusual size and quality of the sup porting company, thirty-two people being presented. Prominent among them being Louise Montrose, an exceptionally clever little lady who is easily one of America's leading soubrettes. She will be seen in several new specialties. Margaret Daly Vokes, whose good character presentations in the past always amused, will be seen in entire new characterizations in "The Gov ernors." Johnny Page, undoubtedly the peer of every acrobatic comedian in Amer lea, will present character called Rubber Necky which is said to be the very best thing MT. Page has ever done. Louise Ker- lin and Laura Bennett are both seen to ad- vantage in this years cast. Charles w. Young, John Keefe. Hal C. Stephens, Jas. Cherry, the Boston Quartette and other favorites go to make up the full strength of the company. In the investiture of scenery and wardrobe E. D. Stair the gen. tleman who directs the fortunes of Ward & Vokes, has lavished money unstintingly and applied setting for his stars which it is promised will make good the claim of being "the best dressed farce comedy or ganization in America