The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28


 studied pose of the favorite leading man.
 In the latter phase of the character he
 is the more convincing lover. MT An
 derson gives a fine characterization Of
 Joe Portugais. the river man. with the
 primitive code of morals and the unwav-
 CT ig belief in the religion of his people.
 MT. Anderson Is a noted character actor
 and this Is but one of this many tri-
 umphs. MT. Roberts, who was the orig
 inal representative of the character on
 the stage. scored the greatest triumph
 of his career in the part and set a mark
 that was hard to reach; but MT. Anderson
 reaches 1t with ease and grasps 1t with
 a firm mastery.
 Miss Helen L. Warde. who personates
 Kathleen Steele, has but two short scenes in the first act, but shs 1eaves an impress sion that remains with the audience throughout She wears a magnificent gown that is the admiration of all tho ladies in the house. The producers of the play have shown great liberality in se- ! curing an actress of Miss Warde' s standing for a part that, while 1t Is one
 of the important roles of the play. has
 but a few brief moments en the stage.
 Miss Airline Hackett touches all hearts
 with her feeling irnpe Nonation of Rosa,
 lie, the innocent girl wl\se heart is given
 to the retuvenated Charley Steele. All
 the characters are in the hands of thor
 oughly trained actors and the entire per-
 formance is of the highest order. This
 fine play will be the attraction at the
 National for the rest of the week.
 "McFadden's Flats" at Bijou.
 After IA years of fun-producing, Mo
 Fadden's Flats are today funnier and
 better than ever for the past six months
 have been devoted to completely alter ing the play in every detail Nothing of the original "Flats' remains, but the name and a few of the character parts. The rest has been revised, rewritten and rebuilt. New comedy lines and situations have given place to the old ones which had served 50 well for over decade; new scenery has been painted for this seasons production, and Of course 1t was changed to meet the requirements of the modern times; new tricks of stagecraft are to be seen in place of the old ones. and every one knows that this has always been an important feature of the enter tainment of 'The Flats;" the music of 1 this years show was written by one of the best producers of late tuneful songs with the kind of ohoruses that every one whistles, and everything that can be done electrically has been done to make the effects and stage pictures impressive and | beautiful.
 A glance at the cast will show many names that have been household words 1 for years in funny land. The manage ment has secured a very unusual cast of l comedians and comediennes for the com pany must necessarily be composed of only such people as can create new laugh every second. Then there is a chorus of 30 girls. a score of whom arc show girls, all handsomely costumed. The rfrle -h<. A.. the best advantage in the several new scenes. The chorus has been made big ger and better feature of The Flats' this year than ever before. and this fact should be one of the strongest drawing cards for this week.
 Manager Semon of the Bijou has ar ranged to give the election returns from the amendment fight Monday night He will receive fresh news from the news paper offices, from the amendment head quarters and also from the anti-amend- ment forces The Bijou affords the best place in the city to get the election re- suits. It Is warm and comfortable and there is clever entertainment besides 'McFaddens Flats will be at the Bijou ell week. with the regular matinees Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and per- formances every night.
 Playhouse GoSSip.
 It may be interesting to local play goers to know that Kyrle Bellew will be here at the Jefferson soon In the first night criticisms of Charles F'roh- mans presentation of 'The Builder of Bridges" at the Hudson theatre In New 1 York surprise at Mir. Bellows extraor- dinary versatility repeatedly ex pressed. MT Bellew. of course, has played wide range of roles, from Anthony to the heroes of the modern romantic drama. But they have all been portrayals of men who were swels' and arfsyo- crats. As Edward Thursfeld in "The Ruilder of Bridges he Is an ensineer. u hard working. seif-niade man with forcs character and energy as his characteris- tics rather than polish and the manners of a dandy MT. Bellows marked success i'm revealing the depths of such char 1 acter when stirred, only a strong character can be stirred is one of the , artistic sensations of the dramatic sea-
 san.
 The Nashville American says of m,i- 1 s,oal niay coming to the eJferson on De- 1 cember 16
 .rNJot often does an almost unknown
 musical play make so unqualified and de- l cided ten-strike with Nashville audi ! ence as did The Golden Girl at the Ven
 dome last night, when it was presented
 For the first of three performances. the
 ether two coming this afternoon and to-