The Portland daily press., 1900-01-23
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
JAMES o.NErLL.

Wheu Lteplef ~ %. secured the Amerf-
oan rights 70 "Ths Muskstssrs," which
Beerbohm Tree was playing 10 the night.
iy capacity Of Her Ma3ssty's theatre,
London. their ofiics was flooded with ap-
piioati ons for the rart of D'Artaanan
from leading men all over the country.
However ~ the firms intention was TO
get an Factor" for the part and not
"poseur" Of the modern kind, with an
English drxw1. a i've inch high collar
and cuffs reaching TO the finger tips, .
bold move was determined on, and a pro-
position made to James O'Neill 10 cut his
own, regular seafon short and head the
tremendous cast that vas 10 he brought
together for the production. The choice
fell on Mr.. o'Neill. rs looking around as
they might, the firm was unable 60 dis
cover another actor who 30 completely
met with the requirements Of the role "a
did the renowned impsrsonator Of the
Count Of Monte Cristo. Mr.. O'NeilI's
whole career has been o series OF tr.-
umphs In the romantic drama. Az q
swordsman, he has no SUPERIOR; 80 q
stage lover, no peer. His erect carriage.
flashing eye ana melodious voice are nat
urai endownmsnts for the part that no
other American actor possesses In like
degree. In addition to this, MIR. o'Neili
had an innate. one might say. racial love
for the role james O'Nelil's ancestors
traos their origin back over q thousand
years. directly to the advent Of the Gas
cogns from France. One Of than was the
famous Primes Of Ulster, who was
known as "The O'Neiil," and the tsrror
Of the Sassanaos and other kindred tribes
In the neighborhoo1. One O'NeiIl &C.
cortsd Coium bus on his nrst voyage 10
America, and 10 claimsd TO have been the
d rst man 10 set foot on San Salvador.
Thus the history Of the o'Nsins is ono
that bristies al throu Oh with tales Of ad-
venture and bravery. Is &c then won.
der. that this present James O'Nsill. per-
hsps, himself Gasoon In some previous
state, should now be the ideal impsrsona-
tor Of D'Artagnan. the daring, dsshing.
dare -devii resouer Of Anne OF Austria.
Mr. o'Neiil win appear at the Jetfsr-
son. Thursday. Friday and Saturday
evenings, with Saturday matinss.
Count of Monte Crlsto will be the Satur-
day evening Offering.
QUO vADIS.
Mr.. Chas. W. Chase, who dramatizsd
"Quo Vadis' from Henryk Sienkiawioz's
famous novel, comes Of family OF Iniuis-
ters OF the Gospel; his father and grand
fathers as far back as their genealogy
oan be traced have all been olsrgymen.
In . recent interview he said, at has
been the one ambition of my life to place
upon the stage drama which would
bring the church and the stage closer
together, and am sure that have
found 1t ut last In "Quo Vadis." I can
now invite evsry Christian family, no
matter ~ what denomination, to witness
this play, and can assure them that they
will receive no shock to their conscience
and will listen to one of the grandest
sermons that has ever been preached TO
man.
Quo Vadis will be produced al the
Jefferson theatre Tuesday and Wednesday
evenings. with q special Wednesday
matins&
oO II AVN AASA<AA MO A<ANS " hA1A1s
"Manila" will be the subject Of the
first lecture In the course which IL to be
delivered by Mr.. Burton Holmes In City
Hall for five Thursday evenings, COM
menoing Feb. LIST, and with the many
beautifully colored stereoItic views
and moving piorurss cannot fail to prove
Of the deepest interest to all who attend.
Mr.. Holmes has been greeted wit b
crowded houses In all the large cities
where hs has delivered his lectures and
has resolved the warmest praise from
both press and public. Although he Is Q
stranger to our city he should receive
warm welcome as he comes with the
heartiest endorsement Of John L. Stod-
dard, whom he succeeds on the lecture
stage, and which In itself should be n
guarantee Of a most pleasing series Of
illustrated lectures. Tickets now on sale
at Cressey. Jones s. Aliens.