The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-13


 The prestige and popularity of Otis Skinner are sure to command the atten- ton of the theatre going population of Birmingham on Wednesday night, Octo- Der 16 when he will present under Charles Frohmans direction a new play, entitled "The Honor of the Family This has been derived from one of Balzac's greatest romances. To the devotee of Balzac or even to the ordinary reader his romance of "Menage de Garcon' might seem the least possible of his works to afford the germ of play. All critics of today from Saintbury down pronounce Balzac the most Nnodern of French fiction writers of this decade. So 1t remained for M. Emile Fabre to utilize the last hundred pages of "Menage de Garcon" for play. As produced at the Theatre National de fOdeon in 1903, it achieved run of four consecutive months, NJ. Gemier, who played the dominating part of Philippe Bridau, not only won the triumph of his career as a great character artist, bu. his portrait in the part was the most conspicuous and greatly admired in the salon of the following spring.
 Tn adapting "Menage de Garcon" for the stage M Iabre utilized the very i essence of Balzae's novel and he found it expedient to give the play it's title from the character of La Rabouilleause" the chief feminine role
 The success of the play in Paris rested on the stauneh shoulders of NJ Gemier, although Madame Andree Megard was acknowledged to be ideal as La Rabouil- leuse.'
 After four months at the Theatre Ma tional de fOdeon M Gemier transplanted the play to the Theatre Antoine. where it excited even greater enthusiasm than at it's brthplacee
 Such play would not go begging for production on the English and American stage and Charles Frohman, who domi- mates the French market by justice of 1 his dealings with the playwrights of France, secured the alien rights to the play for Otis Slinners use
 The task of adaptation was entrusted 1 to Paul M. Potter, who is justly admitted to be master of technique Such altera tions and additions as MT Potter has made are believed to be effective for inc understanding and appreciation of the American public.
 The title chosen by Manager Frohman l himself is "rhe Honor of the Fanilv <" All of the action transpires in an old 1 mansion in Issoudun, a quaint town of france' during the Bourbon regime jm- i iieaialely after the fall of Napoleon
 iH' master or the house, Rouget. is a DOSSCESpS q most beautiful housekeeper Flora Rra- zler by name. After betting and coddlinp tle old bachelor for the early years of her youth, she is awakened to A real ana passionate love in the arrival in the toWh or Max Giet commandant under Napoleon. His esoapades do not hr,n, nm into high favor with the staid neonIe or lssoudun, but Flora's love is so praot . .pl nm that she wishes him installed in
 'ile houset household, and succeeds in ersuaaihg the old bachelor to grant her request. The two lovers promptly form plot to obtain Rouget's signatures to deeds giving them control of his entre property by which they can flee to Paris and enjoy their spells
 HIS IS the situation in the triangular Aousehold when a formidable onnonent appears upon the scene, Philippe Rridau
 ieutenant colonel under the doun. laiieh Napoleon, and his message bearer on the Champ de Mars. When Philinne sets root in the house of his uncle Ron Se. riora recognizes an adversary. uuei With Max and a thwarted assassi,o
 ',oh or himself lead to most unexneoted climax. In such a role as Philinna D., oau-a masterful, cool, brave and auda- eious Napoleonic hero, Otis Skinner vii, uouotiess be seen at his best and All true Piaygoers Know that Mir Skinner's hest
 Is all that can be desired
 MISS Amelia 6lngham's Engagement.
 sAmella Bingham's new play, '.The Mod erh Lady Godvla," in which the charm
 ihs actress and splendid company win l appear at the Jefferson theatre Saturadv 1 afternoon aad night for an engagement of | two performances, is based upon the story or Coventrys eleventh century
 neroine' Lady Godyia, wife of cruel Leo
 fric, Earl of Chester though if is not i,, any sense a dramatization of the famous 1 woman's adventures
 As the title indicates, the play is a.
 drama of contemporary interest. the
 scenes being laid in London today and
 the characters taken from English aris-
 tocratic society. The conjunction of the