The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-07
~THE PLAYS


'srhe LIARS" at o'Brien's opera house
last night, was very naturally satire upon
fashionable society. All were liars to the
very end OF the third aet-even Sir Chris
topher-and truth did not have an inning
until the founth and closing act.
Briefly told, the story is THAT of an indif-
ferent husband of the middle age, and a
young and pretty wife An ardent lover
comes into the youngslife staying until the
last fall OF the curtain. He is Edward
Falkner. an officer of high service in At
RIGA, the idol of the English people FalB-
ner is willing to throw all else away in or
der to win Lady Jessica, and Lady Jessica,
left to herself, had not the strength ito de-
c1sively say him no. A network of lies en-
sues. 1t is We'll maintained throughout
three acts, an admiral satire upon fash
ionable society wherever found one never
overdrawn, but one that fits its unending
hollowness, deceit and treachery. Sir
Christopher With rare tact, skill and elo-
quence, at length prevails, Falkner going
to Africa and Lady Jessica going off with
her husband to dinner.
Otis Skinner as Sir Chrfstopher'' was ait
ali times pleasing, and at times he moved
'A'N NoNAShSO dGSpiy' Ills strongest pass
ages occurred when he plead with his old
African comrade to regard honor-to leave
the woman he loved. lit was long strug-
gle, and Sir Christopher never stepped
beyond the bounds of possibility in it. This
actor, who is fast winning high place on
the American stage, was at his best last
night. AT the end of THE third act, when
he was recalled three times, he at last
come before the curtain and made one of
the best and sweetest speeches that an
actor ever made. He recalled the dcicles
of his visit in THE hard winter of 1SSS-S9 and
ne expressed a wish to meet his friends in
the new Jefferson theater next season.
The favorable leaning daat Birmingham
has long had towards Mr.. Sinner was in
creased last night
Miss Nanetta Comstock as LADY Jes-
sica won golden opinions las5 :.
Is lovely In person, and strong W her art
Inc part is difficult one. involving a
struggle between duty and temptation, and
at no point was Sine deficient In .Ae FIRST
act particularly fine passages in her acting
occurred, especially in the ffrst stormy
scene between her and her husband
The villain OF The play Should not 90 nm
mentioned, Edward Falkner., which wac
presented by Frank L. Sylvester Mr..
sylvester was intense rather than demon
strative, and his acting heightened The in
uerest OF the story to the very end.
The bright. strong comedy was well
staged, and every player in it was equal to
the demands made upon MIN. Harry HYDE
as George Nepau" might have been less
stiH and STACEY, but he had very little tn
do, and altogether TIE company should be
SGT down as an excellent cine. THE play it.
SEN Is strong and satisfactory. The aol-
lowness 1T exposes rend>rs it satirica. "a IL
er than sweet and wnsome, but the play
goer excuses that feature, oil :. Wien the
ehding is against prevaIicalfon a.d in
favor of truth-against the deceits of So
ciety and in favor of manhood and woman
hood on all occasions and at adj times. Sir
Christopher, man of the world. Gencl-
strated the saving quality and value of
truth. All liars were in the end dQscred-
ited.
Inc theater was packed to the doors
MOI seat was vacant, and the great audi
ehce went away admirers of the play and
of the entire compny