The age-herald., 1900-03-09
MR. MANSFIELD AT THE NEW JEFFERSON Splendid Presentation f"Cyrano
 De Bergerac." A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE Large and Fashionable Audience Filled the Beautiful Playhouse to Over
 flowing and Gave Full Vent
 to It's Appreciation
A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE
1l- s u MI

. The zssssts-sretentious dramatic produc- ton ever witnessed by a, Birmingham au- dience was sthe o6fesentation last night at the new Jefferson theatre of "cyraA0iDe Bergerac" by Richard Mansfield and his splendid stock company fe
 It was the perfection of drSfifatic mechhn- ism and dramatic art, and aside from the merits of the individual players, stands out boldly as the best performance ever seen in Birmingham. With the enchanting surrounding of the beautiful new play house and the brilliant and responsive au- dience, it was overpowering, and for the time being one could not realize that here in Birmingham was being presented a drama on such magnificent scale. The Beautiful little theatre was filled to overfiowing, and MT. Mansfield was given perfect ovation which he richly de- served.
 "Cyrano De Bergerac' is strongly dram attic and gives fuli scope to MT. Mans fields ability as actor. Its lines ring with the fire of French enthusiasm, while its philosophy is of the ShaSespearean style, though not so perfeot as the p6ays of the immortal bard. Critics have differed upon
 
 If the play has as yet been truly criticised, notwithstanding all that has been written of it. It lis a study and while the plot is bold and strongly drawn, there is not line that is not well placed or that could be dispensed with, without marring the eff feet of the whole.
 The cast consists of sixty-eght charac- ters besides many whose names do not ap- pear, and it presents upon the stage a little world in itself, as complete and perfect as could be pictured in ones mind. MT. Mans fields production is nothing short of mag nificent, and right we'll does he deserve the great success he has achieved. The scenery setting and costumes are elabor- ate. Nothing is lacking.
 As "Cyrano' MT. Mansfield is "Cyrano" himself, not characterization, but the real living, breathing "Cyrano" whom tton it is. A combination of tragedy. TO- nance, poetry, comedy, generosity, self sacrifice, but above all, vanity. moulded into this one man. And Mansfield is equal to his task. He fits from mood to mood with graceful ease and unerrng confidence, running the full scale of the emotions. The theme of the story is so well told and the character so beautifully portrayed that "Cyrano's' facial deformity, his abnormal nose and his elf-conscious and sef-evident ugliness are lost sight of in the purity of his soul.
 In Roxane sRostand has created a most eautiful character. and in Miss Edith Ey- elyn, who assumes 1t, MT. Mansfield has selected most beautiful woman and charming actress.
 While the plot revolves around "Cyrano," Roxane is none the less an important per- sonage, and Miss Evelyns interpretation of the role was all that could be desired. The character, aside from the balcony scene," is a veritable Juliet, with more strength and force.
 Her love is pure and holy, and is devoid of the French extravaganza one would ex- pect to find
 In the last act, when the truth dawns upon her, she rises to her height at the feet of Cyrano. She begs him to live that she may realize and Hive again the misplaced love that burned within her breast.
 Every member of the company is an art ist and shared with MT. Mansfield and Miss Evelyn the appreciation of the audi ence.
 At the end of every act Mir. Mansfield came rather reluctantly, and then just to show himself and bow.
 "CNano De Bergerac' was grand.