The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-06
At the Bijou

Az indefinite stock enga cement was
inaugrated last night at the Bijou thea
tire Under the most promising conditions
by Miss Beulah Poynter and her com
rany, for far the largest Monday night
audience in months Witnessed the initial
performance. Judging from the manner in
which the audience received the play
and players it was well pleased with
the performance. The first night of any
play or company is always the crucial
test and IL last nights presentation is
any Indication Birmingham theatregoers
viii be treated to class of stock company
entertainment that has not been seen in
the city for the past 10 years. Miss
Poynter received quite an ovation when
she tirst appeared, an evidence that she
IL fayorite with the Birmingham pub
lie. The other actors were we'll received
Arizona" was selected as an opening
bill because of the fact that ii presents
so many possibilities to the individual
members of the company. While the star
rart is not of the greatest 1t affords
Miss Poynter an excellent opening to dis
play her ability and at the same time
gives the other members of the company
real opportunity with the result that
the audience last night witnessed an ef-
fort to please that is not often seen in
stock productions.
The production merits a word of praise.
The scenic effects are splendid the set
tings harmonious and in keeping with the
locale of the play. While the waits he
tween the acts We're a trifle long and
there was a little slip now and then,
yet on the whole the performance was
highly pleasing and no doubt by tonight
everything will be working smoothly.
Miss Poynter takes the part of Bon
ita Canby," and presents a finished char
acter. She gives 1t a touch of PERSONAL
ity that is pleasing and her hearers DEM
onstrated their approval more than once
Her work showed the conscientious study
OF the lines, the spirit Cf the play and
the essence of the part. Her success last
night in the stellar role augurs much for
tho success OF the company she heads.
Miss Chase, as 'Estella Bonham," wife
of Colonel Bonham," gave excellent sup
port Her voice is suited to the part
and in the climax she was particularly
strong. Mr.. MacOwen as Lieutenant
Ienton of the Eleventh cavalry" looks
the typiea1 soldier and has that stage
presence that leading man must pos
sess in order to hold his rudence and
build up his scenes. He gave a splen-
die Interpretation of his part. If the
work of Miss Younge as Mrs. Candy"
is any criterion of what she will do dur
icg the season the theatre going public
will witness some splendid character
work. As the kindly motherly woman
she gives that touch OF love and sym
pathy always associated with the moth
ers of the south.
As Toni Mostano, vaquero, Mr..
La Rue did exceptionally we'll last night
as did Miss Reader as Lena Keller
waistress. Mr.. Burton playing the part
of Colonel Bonham, gave splendid por-
travail of this character and rose to ex-
cellent heights wherever the lines and
scene permitted. The part Of the william,
Captain Hodgeman," was ncceptably and
capably played by Mr.. Longman. The
other members of the company did ex-
ceilent work in their respective parts.
Much of the success of last night was
due to careful stage direction and the
programme credits this to Mr.. Edwin
Burke. C. II. M.