The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-26
PLAYHOUSE GOSSIP.

Ambition, Chauncey Olcott holds, is the chief requisite to success in professional life Clinging firmly to this theory he has demonstrated its truth in his own career. Not contented to go on playing a success season after season, he has, nearly every year since his first imme- dlate triumph as a star, made a new and expensive production-and it is due large ly to his efforts that the Irish drama. has been lifted to the plane it occupies today. This season he is presenting a drama of Irish life in the Seventeenth Century entitled "O'Neill of Derry"
 Lovers of the drama who have cried with Louis James at his great imperson- ations of Brutus. Virginus, Othello, etc., will laugh just as readily when they wit ness his "Falstaff," or his "Dromio," in Birmingham in the near future. James is a man of many moods.
 Carl Eckstrom, one of the most dis tinguished of the younger school of American actors, will be seen here short ly in his splendid impersonation of David, the poet, and warrior king of Israel, in the production of the powerful romantic drama, "The Shepherd King" MT. Eek strom Is a scholarly player, who is at all times consistent in his work. He has @ fine physique and an admirable voice and Is gifted with unusual artistic abil- ity. In the beauty of its scenery and the splendor of its mounting, "The Shep- herd King" enjoys the distinction of being one of the finest productions the stage has ever seen. The settings are of great artistic value and each one is a triumph of harmonious color. The cos- tunes are also of singular magnifcence.
 Recently a most remarkable demonstra- tion took place at the New York Hippo drome. The occasion was the concert by Jan Kubelik, the celebrated violinist which marked his first appearance on his third American tour, which will consist of 125 concerts arranged by Daniel Froh- man. Notwithstanding the fact that this theatre has a seating capacity of 5000 persons, this number of music lovers had passed through the doors by o'clock, and 20 minutes later, when the artist made his entrance there were 54S6 paid admissions in the house. This event es- tablished a new record for admissions and receipts, and one that will, un- doubtedly, stand until Kubelik plays there again. Nor was this all. On his first appearance this genius received the hearty welcome due an artist of his rank, and it was fully five minutes before he was allowed to proceed.
 After his first number, Sinding's Con certo, Major op 45,'' the applause was resumed and he was obliged to respond to an encore; and at his every appear ance this demonstration was duplicated. With the last note of Paganini's Witches Dance" (the last regular number), the applause started, then gained in volume until the approval of the audience was being waved, shouted, stamped and bravoed by 5000 admirers, who, after leaving their places, stood in a solid mass at his feet. in front of the stage while he played three extra numbers, and were then loath to leave. When Kubelils was finally allowed to leave the stage a crowd composed, seemingly, of every one fin the house, awaited his departure from the stage door. Here, again, he was greeted with the applause of the multitude, and the aid of the police was necessary to clear the way. He finally reached his carriage, somewhat tired, but very happy.