Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-29

away to witness the torture of his
comrades. Terrified and stricken with
remorse he pleads in vain with Petron-
ius and the stern soldier With but
few words spoken. Yet holding the
stage for some minutes, he paints a
picture Of detected guilt and treacherv
AFFECT terror and Soul-eating remorse
at his deeds that persistently linger in
the minds OF the spectators and Is one
of the easiest recalled.
Lygia. the beautiful Christian girl
held as hostage by Nero. beloved bv
all for her womanly goodness. beauty.
purity and innocence. the beloved of
Ninicius and loving him while mysti-
fled and alarmed at the strange acts
of others which she could not fathom
and in constant terror of her life from
the prosecutors of those of her faith was
presented by Alice Chandler in a
charming manner. Not once could she
detected forgetting that she was por-
traying a character. though for long
periods she might not utter word
With a pleasing voice under perfect
command d fine appearance and mis-
tress of her part one often found him
self intently watching her every move
and look while the other persons on
the stage were doing the talking In
g!a's appeal to the empress to be sent
back home from the palace, the charm
ing scene with little Aulus and the
prison scene We're finely done. even
though in the latter case sic and Aul-
us We're caught unawares by the un-
usual occurance for Augusta. Of a
second curtain call. and were found
Aulus very much alive and Lygia in
anything but a fearful mood Her
Christian faith. her purity and no
bility of character put he" far above
the handsome though corrupt empress.
and brought out al that was good and
noble in her lover Nenicius. and com
manded the admiration of the easy
going Petronius as well as the respect
of even the worst Of the depraved court
followers.
Miss Chambers rendition Of the part
was superb and that she will win sue
cess in even better parts seems AL
sured.
As Poppoea. the empress, wife of the
tyrant Nero. false to him and intriguing
with TiSellinus. fond of her child and
full of bitter hatred for Petronius. who
sees through her falseness ana Of all
Christians, Caroline F. Rohr had an
important and difficult part. which she
did well. though with chance for i'm
provement. Her portrayal Of an en-
ragged mother and Of bitter hatred for
powerful opponent We're We'll done.
Yet, II in some of her most effective pas
sages she had spoken the words tritle
more quickly with the same intensity
OF expression and at other times had
kept her arms where they belonged.
her work would have been more ac-
ceptable to some Yet the amount Of
really excellent acting she did over
shadows these little points. and in gem
eral her acting was good ana highly
appreciated.
Eunice, the handsome little slave Of
Petronus. who falls in love with her
noble master. is freed by him on dis
covering the fact and later wins his
love, was presented without a flaw by
Nashti Hollis.
Master Clifford McCahll as Little
AuIus was one Of the hits OF the
evening. ard although he may talk of
the stage OF wanting to be a
cowboy when he grows up, this IL
yea! -Oiu ldu tictliS SHOVE mat ne mas
a future before him on the stage. He
took the part of the happy, playful lit
tie Roman boy in a bright and charm
ing manner. his every act and word
being natural and correct. Later iii the
prison death scene he SO perfectly
adapted himself to the demands Of the
situation that the audience was de-
lighted. His spryness in dying the
second time when occasion called for il,
as before mentioned. brought down the
house He is a bright. clever lad with
Il fine voice, and while he says he has
not a known relative in the world, we
sincerely hope that someone will give
him the opportunity to bring out what
We believe Is in him-the making Of a
first class actor.
All the other parts We're taken to the
satisfaction Of all concerned. Each and
lection. knew just what to do and did
it in approved style.
The costumes We're very elaborate
and rich. They presented number
and variety seldom seen in companies
appearing here and added much to the
successful performance of the play.
The stage settings were also good The
various scenes We're as faithfully pic
tured as the most critical could wish
and were absolutely accurate. so far as
the oldest inhabitant' could remem-
Der.
The play was long, but not too long,
for not an instant did the interest
wane and the audience would willing
" have Staid for more. In fact many
people from down river heard the Pull
man come and go. but sat quietly in
their seats too much absorbed to think
Of leaving.
Taken all in all. QUO Vadis'" gave
the best satisfaction to the people of
anything Vet presented in the new
Opera house. and Manager owen has
the thanks of the theatre-goers
for a delightful evenings entertain
nent
An iAOnEcI NCCcGCiRY