The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-28
NEW PLAY HOUSE
 OPEN ID PUBLIC Opening Performance Given At 0rpheum Last Night AUDIENCE WAS BRILLIANT First Weeks Numbers Take We'll. Theatre Has Been Completely
 Changed-Telegrams From
 WeI-known People.

Birmingham's new playhouse. the Dr. pheum was formally thrown open to the public last night with the presentation of a bill of up-to-date vaudeville That the inaugural performance was pleasing to those in attendance was attested by the enthusiastic applause which the per- formers received
 The Orpheum's opening here should afford Birmingh vaudeville of the very first class this city being placed in circuit which extends almost from the Atlantic to he Pacific. There are Or pheum theatres at San Francisco, Los Angeles. Oakland, New Orleans. Kansas City, Omaha Denver. Minnea polls, St. Paul, Memphis, Salt Lake City and Sioux City and these playhouses are operated in conjunction with a score of other houses throughout the country which fur nish the best vaudeville performers avail able. Max Fabish. personal representa- tive of Martin Beck. general manager of the circuit will manage the Birming ham house until permanent manager is secured.
 The bill this week is made up of six acts which are by no means mediocre. The headliners Pat and the Genii" presented by Tom Nawn and his com pany Is a unique one and one that is well staged. The scene is laid in the den of an Egyptionologist and collector of antiquities, which gives a key to the o4 Arox nd Miss Charlotte Apelle carry the leading roles most admirably and they are ably supported by Mrs. Nawn. The act Is full of clever humor and took excep- tionally well last night.
 Of the other acts that of Miss Anna Laughlin. the "toyland prima donna" and that of the Camille trio of eccentric acrobats are perhaps the best, although Al Whites dancing bugs" present performance that is right up to now" and the other performers are clever. Miss Laughlin's act is one of chatter song and dance. This little performers stage appearance Is very winning and she is original, while her songs are new and her dancing exceptionally grace full
 The members of the Camille trio are indeed grotesque comedians. Their ec- centric stunts are confined principally to the bars and the many eccentric stunts provoked continuous laughter throughout the act. The tumbling is of remarkable nature and altogether the act is probably the best of It's kind which has ever appeared in Birmingham. The costuming of the dancing bugs is one of the prominent features of the act, but there is no lack of ability on the part of the quartet of dancers. The act was graciously received
 Jimmie Lucas, late co-star in ''The Golden Girl" presents number of songs. lmpersona tiofis and dancing creations that are good. Mir. Lucas stage appear ance is in his favor and he is an able performer. His impersonations of "ac- tors and other animals" while more or less in the nature of caricatures. were good and the act as whole is most ac- ceptible.
 The Walthour trio presents an act the nature of which Is more or less time- worn, but a number of new stunts are thrown Into 1t. which makes it an en- tertaining one. The work of the trio on their monocycles is extraordinary.
 Motion pictures of an entertaining and instructiove nature are shown.
 The Orhpeum theatre Is one of the most commodious In the city and per- haps the most comfortable It is place of beauty and has every appearance of a metropolitan playhouse. All ushers and other attaches are in uniform and the theatre presents an appearance of excep- tionel neatness. The large chandeliers suspended from the ceiling lend distinc- ton to the auditorium while the stage front has been worked up in the most attractive manner On each side Of the auditorium there Is an open palm room, which lends a very perceptlble air or ease to the place.
 The house last night was completely filled and the audience was brilliant one. Among those present were many of the most prominent r,ciety people of Birmingham and in the future Monday night promises to be big society night at the local Orphcum theatre as has proven the case In the Orpheum houses instructive nature are shown.
 MT. Fabish was the recipient of profuse congratulations last night Many prom inent local people extended their person- al respects and congratulations to him and many telesrams were received from all parts of the country, among which were tho following:
 Greetings and fine success to newest Orpheum.
 |. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,
 Mayor New York City" Our greetings to the newest accom- plishment of the worlds greatest vaude- vile cifcuit RENNOLD WOLF.
 Morning Telegraph" we wish the latest Orpheum tho suc- cess 1t surely deserves.
 VINCENT & KONEKE" s'Greetings for a successful inaugura- ton of Birmingham Orpheum.
 MARTIN BECK" My best wishes for the success of the new Orpheum.
 I'M. MEYERFIELD, JR.,
 President of the Orpheum Circuit" Best wishes successful season for the new theatre.
 MIR. AND MRS HYMANs,
 New Orleans." Rest wishes for an suspicious opening and successful career.
 OTTO WELLS"
 [ETh. nothing wifi