The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-05

Mr. o'Neils work in the timeworn but ever delightful drama. Monte Cristo." has heretofore ershadowed h:s attempts to produce anything in the field of tragedy, but the claim is now advanced that in the present pro- duction of the revered actor, the su- perior merit and impelling interest of the play will render it a welcome ad- dition to the attractions of the sea son.
 Mir. o'Neiis previous ventures as D'Artagnan'' in the Three Musketeers" and in the title role of the 'Manxman,"
 while attracting very favorable criti- cisrn, were yet not sufficiently power full to displsce Monte Cristo." which for so many years has held the actor and public alike .n bondage. It is now declared that the actor will perma- nently remain in the higher field of tragedy.
 Theatre-soers await with interest the production of the expressing drama. 'virg.nius,' in this city. From the earliest days of his ca- reer Mir. James O'Neill, who appears at the Grand Tuesday night direct from his triumphant success as "Virginius" at the Lyric Theatre, New York has always had an affectionate regard for the classic drama. and a desire to re- enter the field in which he held such great promise before his association with "Monte Cristo."
 It was at the close of last season that Mir. O'Neill decided to shelve Monte Cristo" and devote the balance of his theatrical career to the higher art of the stage, and chose for his premier "virginius."
 The first performance took place Sept. 16, before crowded houseof the most critical admirers of the cfas-l sic drama.
 During the performance Mir. o'Nelf
 was repeatedly called before the cur
 tain between the acts; and the New ! York press were particularly eulogis- tic in their reviews. Mir. William Win | ter of The New York Tribune, and the recognized Dean of New York crit | ics" stated In his review of "virvinius" at the Lyric Treatre, New York. that "Mr o'Neill's impersonation is an ad- mirable work of art--a work of which
 he may well be proud and which the public. wherever he goes, will receive with sympathy and crown with honor | Equally eulogistic was Mir. Acton 1 Davies of The New York Evening Sun. l who said: MT. ONeill has forgotten more about acting in a single week l than most of the present day romantic stars ever began to know, he held his l audience engrossed and enthusiastic by
 the brilliance of his performance and
 the splendid readiEg < of his speeches. l Even the world renowned Mr. Alan | Dale. who is famed for his cynical
 style in reviews, confessed in The New York American that MT. o'Neill IS | reverent actor. with much dramatic l force and considerable good taste-an I actor whom you accept gratefully in | these days of slouches and slovens.
 ssVlrginius in the past has always bAen recognized as the tragedians fa- | vorite role ever since it's first produc- tion by Macready in 1920 at the Royal | covent Garden Theatre, London, Eng land and in this country the names oi | Edwin Forrest and John McCullough Il are indelibly associated with the play | The story of Virginius is one or the 1 most intertsting In Roman history ans II if has been often remarked how 1t wal that the immortal Shakespeare evel came to. overlook such a beautiful sub
 The pAriod of the play is in 4eC R. C.. during the reign of the Decom virs. the government of Rome being IT an unsatisfactory state. three amoas' sadors were appointed to visit Athens and examine the laws of Solon. Or | their return from Decemvirs were chos. | eu. They were to be supreme and tslt l consuls. tribunes. etc, resigned. The naw rulers did admirably during one term and they were again chosen toi A second term. Appius Claudius was the most popular and reelected. The
 Decemvirats quickly changed and oe' came tyrants with Appius claudius the 1 chief of all. When the, second term
 expired the Decemvirs called no new election and held their office in defiance
 of the Senate and people. No mans life was safe.
 The crisis soon came. One day. see ing a beautiful maiden. the daughter of a Plebian named Virginius. crossing 1 the Forum, Claudius resolved to make
 her his own. So he directed a kinsmar
 to seize her on the charge that sht
 was the child of a slave. and then tt
 bring the case before the Decemviri
 for trial. Claudius of course decided IT
 favor of his client. Thereupon Nir'
 ginius drew his daughter one side iron the judgment seat as if to bid hel
 farewell. Suddenly snatching a sworC
 from Caius Claudius he plunged 1t int'
 his daughters heart, crying. Thus onl! can I make thee free"
 Then brandishing the red blade. h' hastened to the camp and reused th' soldiers, who marched to the city breathing vengeance and death anC overthrow of Appius and the Deeem virate.
 The company includes the very bes of classic players that it Is possible to gather into one organization. Special attention has been given D!