The age-herald., 1899-09-21
~THE PLAY@

It was more interesting, perhaps, to watch the effect of Sardous "Divorcns" upon d Birmingham audience yesterday af- ternoon than to watch the play. It is a comedy of the risque type throughout The moral foibles of anti-straight-laced, dissatisfied young married persons are un- blushingly exploited throughout the play.
 Eugene Blair and her company put the piece on at a matinee yesterday afternoon. The house was well filed a large propor- tion of the audience being women. In two minutes after the curtain went up there was a splendid opportunity to blush but to criticise such a type of play is to be accused of false modesty. If the audiences stand it, the actors managers and critics certainly can do likewise.
 From an artistic standpoint, nothing detrimental can be said. Miss Blair was the Julie that Sardou must have imagn- ed. MT Bramwell was good "Rene." Supporting company, up to requirements, etc.
 At night Miss Blair took the role of C1ar- inda "Wildairs' in "A Lady of Quality" a part which Julia Arthur t1rst essayed. The play is an emotional one, appealing to every side of humon nature. In brief 1t tells of d wild, thoughtless girl who goes astray. She is pursued by the wretch who betrayed her. He finally spurns her. She is unhappi- ly married Her husband dies. She loves another, but the wretch returns brandish- ing his weapon in the shape of proofs of her shame. In fit of anger and despera- tion she strikes him a blow with a loaded riding whip which proves instantly fatal. She hides the body and has it sealed up by countless walls in an old cellar. Her lover is informed. He would have done the same Embrace. Supposedly happy forever after wards.
 Miss Blair is thoroughly capable in her part and especially so in the killing scene. MT. Bramwell divides honors as Sir John OXen her betrayer.
 The greatest and most successful ''re- peater' last season and season before that ever came from the New York Casino was the famous musical comedy, "The Tee- phone Girl and it was the heaviest money maker also. In all the big cities and in the most important one-night stands it succeeded in coining money for it's lucky managers. In Paris it had a record of three hundred consecutive nights and two hundred and fifty nights in New York With a powerful cast the most powerful, indeed that it ever had, it will come to O 'Briens opera house tomorrow night. Will H. Sloan, Jessie Merriles James F. Macdonald. Rose Braham and the remain der of the original company will be seen. Any number of comedy girls will also be in evidence, and with sprightly dialogue, comcal complications, Gustave Kerkers charming music, elaborate scenic settings and beautiful costumes, "The Telephone Girl" will undoubtedly prove this season what it has been for the past two sea sons one of the merriest and strongest produc- tions of the period. The advance sale Of seats is already large.
 Al Fields usually manages to get the first date for minstrel company in the south every season. advertised for O'Brien's opera house next Monday afternoon and night The Ohio State Journal says of the performance:
 'The olio is one of the strongest ever staged by MT. Field. It consists of Ever hart. the German jongleur, whose perform ance is marvel: Harry Shunk. in a mono- logue. of which the audience could hardly get a sufficiency; Welby Pearl, Keys and Master Carroll, in a dancing speciality; kingsbury and Greve, musical comedians who offered something really new in that line. and the acrobatic marvels, the Faust family. whose performance is beyond criticism. and one of the finest ever seen in this city; closing with the absurdity, "A Mysterious Hotel" in which Welby, Pearl and Keys gave an exhibition of Caledonian pastimes that very clever. The high kicking of MT Keys was a most unique performance and eicited great applause.
 The show, as a whole is one of the best ever gotten together by MT. Field. MT. Field was congratulated last night upon the surpassing excellence of the perform ance. If genuine merit Is appreciated by the public, the tour ought to be series of ovations There Is not single objection able feature, and 1t contains everything worth having in the minstrel line."