The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-18

In presenting MISS nance - We'll III
David Belasco's production The
Lily Miss Lucille La Verne has out
done all her previous efforts. No ar
fist enjoys the unanimous estimation
of both press and public as that at
tached to the name of Nance O'Neil-
She is acclaimed by all to be the fore
most emotional actress of America
France has her Sarah Bernhard; Eng
land her Mrs. Patrick Campbell
America, Nance ONeiI Fortunate
indeed is Richmond in the opportunity
Of seeing this great actress and To
Miss La Verne no small measure OF
credit is due In securing Miss O'NeH
for this. her premier Richmond ap-
pearance.
Not alone in this country in Miss
O'Neii known as the great actress, as
before her wonderful triumph in New
York she met with success on the
continent 1T was in Belasco's produe-
ton of THE Lily" however that
she established her claim to. the
exalted position she now holds 1t
was at the Belasco theater In New
York that she brought blase first
night audience to it's feet by her truly
wonderful acting and created Il scene
never before witnessed in New York
playhouse. From her first dine she
held her audience ny the power of
her deep emotional feeling and when
wherein as Odetfe. the long neg
Iected daughter. sire turns upon the
father and drives him from the home.
that audience who has marvelled be-
fore was carried 10 tho very extreme
of demonstration. Alan Dale. who is
known far and near az the foremost
American dramatic critic, wrote after
wards. Not since the memorable
night when Mrs Leslie Carter first
appeared -.tHHe2a and the very roof
Of the Garrick -theater throbeed with
a tremendous frensy of applause. has
there been anything like the tumui-
tuous excitement caused by the acting
of Miss Nance OMEN at the Belasco
theater An audience of New York's
most fastidious went wild. the very
welkin rang with hall mark en-
thusiasm: critics shed tears as real
rs those of Virginia. Harmed or Mar
garet Anglin. Seldom has one wo-
man made such powerful appeal to
the innate convictions of a responsive
multitude. II was great acting. 1t was
superb. II was inimitable. Nothtnk
like II has been seen in years. Miss
Nance o'Neil takes her place with the
very greatest actresses"
when critic OF such well known
ability writes thus OF an actress there
can be no doubt that her claims to
greatness have foundation. The entire
run Of THE Lily in New York was a
continuation of the success of the first
night and In other cities the same
was repeated. The comments OF the
Boston press are interesting. That of
the Boston Post reads: Memory does
not recall an actress who could have
duplicated the impersonation of
Odette in THE Lily" 1t was a veri-
table triumph" The Boston Globe:
mo female star. not even Mary Al
dergon Clara Morris or Julia Mar
- RI two f4.t I,5t Sra
the last twenty-five years Of the Bos
ton stage" The Boston Herald she
is indeed a remarkable player with !
extraordinary endo~ments- The
Boston Transcript: For the great
position Of leading traEedienne of her
time, In English speaking countries /
she has No rival" The Boston jour /
nal: we can truthfully say that we /
know of TO actress on the English /
speaking stage who could meet the re- !
aaiirements OF those extra ordinary |
scenes as Miss o'Nen met them !
The mere announcement of Miss I
Nance O'Neil alone. aside from the |
strong supporting east and the power 4
full drama In which she viii appear. is /
sufficient so cause an unusual stir t
among Richmond theatergoers. Miss
ONeil herself win draw the au- |
diences next week and the powerful |
play which David Belasco has adopt |
Gu lfpil Tue fSbAIi. hfloNsi htSti WINS
of extended mention and attention, /
will doubtless be lost sight of. AS a
vehicle for exhibiting Miss ONeil at
her best no better selection could have
been made and although she has met
with as great success in productions
since The Lily" there can be no
doubt that the choice of that play
was q wise one
David Belasco fs conspicuous in his
ability of creating scenic and his
frionic Illusions. Even to the very
smallest particular his staging Of "A
play is complete. Ali the ingenuity
Of this master hand was expended
upon the stage settings of The Lily
and to the miputest detail Miss La
Verne will carry out the original stag
ing In the production at the Academy
next week. Indeed. she has secured
Mr.. Alfred Hickman, of the original
company. for this purpose as well as
because of his fine acting and rehear-
sails and arrangements during the past
week have been under his direction.
Mr.. Hickman will play an import !
ant part in The Lily" Miss Catherine |
Carter will play Christiane. the |
younger daughteE.naaaE1AxztznEe ll- easltAa$
n n be EyDected that her