The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-28
~THE PLAYS

The season of the R. D. MacLean- Odette
Invertebrates B. Hanford company is not
yet far advanced, the combination having
been formed but a few weeks since. But
In this brief space of time the success of
the venture. big as 1t is, has been fully
assured. 1t is idle to assert that the clas-
sic drama is not popular. In a recent arti-
Gle no less jocose a gentleman than Mark
Twain declared his regret that more trag-
edies were not produced and asserted that
when well performed there was no ques-
ton of their general appreciation. The
public at large has fully Endorsed the
sentiments of the eminent humorist in this
matter. The reception given the WE'LL
known players who are to appear in this
city has been of a character to leave no
doubt of the acceptability of the plays they
offered nor of the efficiency of the COM
pany producing them. So long as the
school and the library continue to keep the
works of the great poet before the young;
so long as the gems of his fancy continue
to be quoted in the speeches of statesmen
and in the conversation of educated people.
his plays will be In demand The resent
ment at seeing them improperly produced
has led managers to assert that apprecia-
ton has waned. But the fact is, a scholar
ly and artistic performance of Shakes.
pearean plays finds encouragement of the
most enduring description. Mr.. MacLean,
Miss Tyler and Mr.. Hanford are all actors
of merit and established reputation. Each
has met with unqualified success as an in
dependent star, and their coalition brings
before the public an aggregation compe-
tent to cast the masterpieces which 1t or
fers without sighting ..ae smallest detail.
The supporting company presents assur-
ances of capability in the names of Frank
Henning, John Ellsler, Miss Marie Drofnah
and Miss Mary Timberman. The scenery
is Of the most pretentious description, the
originals of the sittings being those which
were provided for the Booth Barrett sea-
son, which may be regarded as the OPEN
ing wedge for the consolidation idea in
the modern drama. Each character in a,
Shakespearean play is the favorite OF .--e
audience while 1t speaks, so faithful to
human nature is the delineaton, and only
in company of this magnitude can the
irritation of hearing lines which should be
replete with force badly delivered, be es-
capped. The organization represents a
splendid artistic enterprise, intelligenuy
carried out and 1t is matter of congratu-
lation to the lovers of the highest form
of drama that Manager Thesis has secured
this splendid company for an appearance
at O'Brien's opera house on Wednes-
day and Thursday next, when the following
repertoire will be given: Wednesday night,
Romeo and Juliet" Thursday matinee,
1.-THE Merchant of Venice" Thursday
night, "Othello."
The real Simon-pure kind of relief from
dull care can most assuredly be had at an
entertainment wherein are combined the
elements of unctuous comedy and charm
ing music, and these can only be found
in the farce comedies which have been so
deseryedly popular of late years, and
which seem never to lose a tenacious grip
on the amusement public. Looking for
Trouble" the new farce comedy which
"Joe" OFT and his assistants will offer for
the approval of their friends at O'Brien'S
Friday and Saturday nights, with Satur-
day ma tinee, comes with such a record as
should command the warmest sort of con-
sideration. Looking for Trouble" is
equipped with special scenery, and from
reliable sources it is learned that Mr.. OFT
mas been unusually fortunate in the selec-
ton of so much versatile talent to aid him.
Montague and West, in a refined musical
speciality; Burt Jordan, the famous SOFT
shoe dancer; John McVeigh and Louise
Montrose, in their sketch of any and every
thing; The Fansons (James and Nary,
sketch artists; Abbott Davidson, In songs
OF the day; William Mackey, Frank Har-
ris, Marian Marteil, ELY Coghlan, Almora
Italian. Leslie Marion, Frances Girard,
Alice Simpson and Annie Chadwick are
only a partial list of the artists who are
helping Joe" OFT to create perfect squalls
of laughter Looking for Trouble" will be
the attraction at O'Brien's Friday night,
Saturday matinee and night.