The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-12-17
aTHE coNQUERoRs."
Tha Empire Stock Company's Engage
 ment.

The Empire Stock Colupdny , ihS"SS
 ment.
 The Empire Stock company of New Work played the first of three perform ances of sThe Conquerors" at the lily perion last night. The theater was Weli filled as it is always sure 10 De WheI this excellent organization appears here And the fame or notoriety of Paul Potter's play has preceded II ana curl nsitv as to it's quality was great. The piece will be repeated this afternoon and this evening when it will have large audiences. The Empire company is one of the best stock companies in the country and it is unusual good 1or- tune to have them here for three per- fornances. The reason that we enjoy This l1xury is because John DreWs great success in "The Liars is keeping the regular company for prolonged season in "the provinces. The company is especially interesting at present be- cause of the first appearance here ot the new leading lady, Jessie Millward, whom MT. Frohman has brought from England to take Viola Aliens place. Miss Millward makes her New York debut in an adaptation of Anthony
  the opportunity to compare her with Miss Allen in one of Miss Aliens most effective roles. Mir. Faversham who is unauestionably the best "jeune pre- rnier'' of our stage is still the leading man and he is seen to great advantage as Eric Von Rodeck. The piece has been thoroughly discussed and was so com- mon a topic of theatrical conversation ripo t,ot going over the points again now. Suf- fee it to say that it is by Paul Potter whose success was his adaptation of saTrilby," that his present inspiration is sardou that it is an effectively-acting melo-drama of no literary distinction but replete with scenes of theatric strength. It deals plainly with unpleas- ant themes but they are frankly treated and the effect is surely more moral than in many cases where less elemen- tal motives are dressed up in gulse of innuendo and double-entendre There are a needless number of minor enisodes which detract from the straight forward development of the pIot and the introduction of singing and dancing is an unnecessary aggra- yation in serious play. The main point and the important point is that 1t acts we'll That it is well acted also goes without saying. MT. Faversham is handsome figure as the Irresponsible young lieutenant of the Uhlans. He holds the sympathies of the audience throughout a number of trying scenes and never gets outside the role. Miss Ni1Iward is a competent and experience ed actress in which she is like Miss AL len. but unfortunately she still further resembles her predecessor in that her work is without the little individual touch which is called distinction. Miss Allen was comedy but monotonous and Miss Millward is not especially pleasing to the eye and rather unin- suired. Joseph Wheelock Jr., plays a light comedy roll with his usual clever ness. Guy Standing is manly Baron Hugo" and such men as W. H. Cromp- ton, George Osborne, Jr., B. Y. Backus and J, H. Benrinno gave performances Of their roles Two important changes besides that of leading lady have talk en place among the women. Eleanor Moretti replaces Blanche Walsh, ano Jessie Bisley replaces Ida Conquest Both of the substitutes have dlstlnc, ability and are well-cast. May Robson has a grotesque role which she plays fin her usual fine style. The Misses Thurgate, Bloodgood, Mann and Com, stock complete the cast.
 The Empire scenery was used ant was hanG-esse and effective.