The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-01
Mir. James In "virginiun.s


 Mir. James In "VtrginiuA."
 Louis James has never given great CT token of his consummate art, or a stronger expression of the potency of his histrionic powers than that which he exemplifies in his masterly imper- sonation of "Virginius,' and rarely is there a character and actor so identi- caily allied with such glove-like nicety as "Virginius" to Louis James. Here is the actor naturally endowed with all the physical charm, dignity and artistic comprehension that eminently meets all the requirements of the au- thor's ideal, and here is the play af- fording the actor every opportunity for the display of every phase of histrionic acumen that he possesses, little won der, therefore, that the voice of appro- val sounded at the announcement of this unity should be echoed from Maine to California, and from the British possessions to the Gulf.
 The performance of Mir. James as 'Virginius" has been compared to the Hamlet of Edwin Booth. or the "spartacus" of Edwin Forrest. for in l each instance the actor seems in his 1 delineation to have divorced the Thes- plan and become the read character for l the time being-no greater tribute can | be bestowed upon the player than that he be accused of being the living re- | fection of the original, therein lies the | enormous success of Mir. James's de- lineation of "virginius." He is the Roman father in expression, appear ance and action, unconscious of thea | tre environment, living only in the ! comprehensive atmosphere of ancient | Rome, a veritable duplicate of Diony- | sius's hero.
 In the coming revival of this classic at the Montgomery Theatre, MT. James promises to have a coterie of players supporting him that have each and l all been selected for their special | ada ptability to the character assigned | them, This. together with a scenic | investiture that Is absolutely correct | in reproduction of the scenes wherein l the tragedy was enacted, and an em- | bellishment of accessories, accoutre- ments, etc, likewise accurate, 1t Is safe to anticipate & dramatic treat of ex- l cellent merit.
 "A Thoroughbred Tramp" at BIJOu. Frequently people wonder why one 1 play makes a success and another a | failure. more especially when the un- successful production seems the supe. | rior of its more favored contemporary. | The secret lies in this, while the play | that has failed to make good" has the greater literary merit, it lacks the nec- l NSSAA9 hO AahC II PoAotA ble to the masses. The author has sac rificed the tastes of the public at the | shrine of art, and failure Is his penal | ty. Herein 1t Is claimed, lies the | strength Of Elmer Walters's produc- tion, "A Thoroughbred Tramp" The public has been given what 1t wants, and have responded so thoroughly that | 1t is said it stands today at the head of its class of attractions.
 This attraction Is booked at the Bi- Jou theatre for Thursday. Friday and Saturday nights and Saturday matinee. Other countries have their outcasts and vagrants, but none of them have ! anything like the American tramp He Is an oddity and inimitable in his or iginality and nerve The Thorough . bred Tramp" is the King Bee of thenl all.
 ! ''Mf. DOOiey" Coming This Way. One among the good things that
 Manager O. A. Neal of the Bijou has
 up his sleeve, as surprises. is that new
 musical comedy. MT. Dooley" an up
 to date comedy, full of catchy songs.
 new gags, pretty chorus girls in a be- wildering array of stunning costumes.
 and series of specialties enough to
 delight the heart of vaudeville audi
 ence.
 The story of the play is SO full of tntrieactes and humorous incidents