The age-herald., 1900-03-08
DEDICATED TO
 DRAMATIC ART
Auspicious Opening of the New
 Jefferson Theatre.
THE SCENE WAS BRILLIANT
Hall Gaines Powerful Play "The Chris tian" Presented by Fife Elsler and Strong Supporting Com
 pany-Memorable Event

The most brilliant event in the theatrical annals of the city was the opening last night of the new Jefferson theater, one of the prettiest and most complete play houses in the United States, with Hall Gaines powerful play, ''rhe Christian"
 It was a scene long to be remembered, and savored strongly of the metropolitan air with which Birmingham is surrounded. The slow drizzling rain served rather to in- tensify the scene. Hundreds of carriages stopped at the entrance, and as the hand somely dressed men and women filed into the brilliantly lighted rotunda, one was transposed to New York on an "opening night"
 Manager Douglass and his able corps of assistants were at their posts, and no trou- ble was experienced in seating the audi ence, which was one of the most cultured ! ever assembled in Alabama. By S:1O o'clock every seat was occupied, and the splendid temple of art took a new life, it were
 The glow and glitter of the brilliant lights and coloring gave increased anima- ton to the scene, and many expressions of surprise and admiration were heard on all sides.
 Under the direction of Professor Grambs the orchestra rendered a splendid program. Everything was new and in keeping with the occasion. The program. published by Robert E. Murphy, was pretty and artistic.
 At S:25 o'clock Colonel Rufus N Rhodes. who had been selected to dedicate the house appeared before the curtain and, in few appropriate remarks, on behalf of the own CTS, Messrs. c. J. and J. R. Smith, dedi- cated the house to Art, to Music and to the Peoples Pleasure, christening 1t "The Jefferson Theater," in honor of that vet eran exponent of dramatic art-Joseph Jeff ferson.
 The Play
 It was an ideal opening bill, and Manager Douglass could not have chosen better had he selected the Viola Allen Christian company, which is now in the south. With Fife Esler in the leading role and strong supporting company. It is doubtful if "The Christian" was ever better presented. With the environments of the new play house, the animation of the brilliant audience, and the real artistic merits of the company it. self, last nights performance scored a magnificent triumph.
 The dramatization of Hall Gaines famous novel has preserved to rema rkable degree the beautiful story, with just enough modi- fication to intensity the dramatic effect, and has strengthened the characters, who are made to live and breathe and act before ones eyes, the motions that sway them through Hall Gaines art.
 From the rise of the curtain on the pro- logue to the climax, when love had tri- umphed, and the curtain was rung down on the last act the audience was swayed un- consciously, as the plot slowly developed and stood out boldly under the master hand of the author.
 As Glory Quayles. Miss Elsler was at her best. The character gave full scope to her ability, and at no time did she fall short of it's requirements.
 In the scene of the club rooms of St. Mary Magdalene church, Soho, in the sec ond act portrayed most wonderfully the grave, tae neartless, the gay and the emotional and in the third act rose to the height of her ability in the scene in her own apartments, when Jcfnn Storm entered dn a rage, determined to kill ther because the thought her lost beyond all hope. It was here that the true qualities of her 'womanly power were aroused, and the strong determined n1an fell "a victim to her innocent charms. With aTitfu cajoling and innocent coquetry she changed the murderous intentions of lMs heart to strong passions of love and he left her a changed man.
 AS the climax of the scene was reached the amdience tn unison of appreciation broke into wild applause which was not satiated until the curtain was rung up sev- eral times upon the almost exhausted play CTS.
 Tol.,, a strange trinity cf human qualities, the ideal man, the ideal lover and the ideal priest, was equal to his task, and his in- depreciation was in keeping with the Glory Quayles of Miss Elsler His voice is strong and musical and serves him well. As the good priest struggling against worldly pas- sions, yet deeply concerned in the welfare of Glory, he was superb and his character ization was lost in his effort, and his au- dience saw him not as an actor. but as Father Strom. the priest.
 Edward Emery as Lord Robert Ire, the villain, and Frank Weston as Horatio Drake, the rejected suitor, were excellent, and shared with the stars the appreciation of the audience, did the players in the minor roles. Even the mob was well repre- sented, portraying the wild passions of the ignorant, rough, and uncomfortable, ready to turn upon it's benefactor without req son.
 The end was sweet and beautiful and while somewhat abrupt, it was none the less satisfactory for love had triumphed
 Packard Opera Comp my
 The Dan Packard Opera company pre- scented The Chimes of Normandy at the Auditorium last night, and it was perhaps the best performance yet given by this troupe. Carlotta Gilman was a charming German. Josephine Kirkwood, as Serpoette, was more beautiful than ever. Charles N. Holmes, Jean Grenecheux, sang the tenor role exceptionally we'll while Gilbert Clayton was an ideal Gaspard, and Mount joy Walker, as the bailiff, was irTesistibly funny.
 Among the best numbers of the evening were the legend song, "Ding-a-ling-a-ding dong better known to old opera-goers as the bell song; and the quintette in the sec ond act, with the tenor lead. This afternoon "Olivette" will be present. ed at matinee and tonight Fra Diavalo"