South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-12-26
Stage

The most uniformly distinguished
acting seen an the Oliver thcater
stage IN = long time was that OF
Nance ONeil and her company We'd
ncsday evening. when THE Passion.
Flower" play by Jscinto Bena-
vente. Spanish playwright, was act
al 10 the life. Miss O'Neil, although
her rating as an emotional actress
las been unusually high for 10 or
Gears or more. was unknown here.
jThrough theatrical record IT was
known that she had done remark
ably nns acting IN The Lily" and
In other plays. all OF them OF a
tragic, eemi- tragic or highly emo
ticnAl character. but to South Bend
she was q stranger. In The Pas.
sion Flower" she more than full
filled expectations. when the fine
acting seen IN this city is reviewed.
Miss O'Neirs achievement must be
Aplaced well near the top. She is a
Mayer OF highest rank. Although
her company contained the names
|cf few persons that were known
here, the parts were without eNcep-
ton played with "A degree OF excel
lence seldom attained. And the
BeDavente play merits classification
in the exceptional list. II is well
made. gripping In interest and in
referring TO II the Oft nlisused word
powerful may be used in all that il
means.
ANOTHER piece OF good acting was
on view at the Oliver Thursday
night. Friday night and yesterday
afternoon and last night Miss
Minnie Dupree came out OF retire
n.ent TO play the school secretary
with what line touch she plays IL.
Her acting is perfection.
Amolita Galli-Curci will this week
sing at the Chicago Auditorium for
the last limo with the Chicago opera
company this season. AS the great
prima donna leaves. Mary Garden
will arrive and remain until the
opera engagement comes to an end
Jan. Is. In every respect opera at
. the Chicago Auditorium this season
is OF the kind TO win approval.
Principals, chorus. orchestra. pro-
ductinns-- everything has been look
cd after with exceptional care. In
spection of the great audiences that
are gathering I'm the Auditorium for
most Of the perfGTm ances show that
Il marvellous cnanae has como in
OEera going. In the old days the
attendance was in the main made up
OF persons who went as social
duty. Now the Auditorium Is ire
oucntly not big enough TO holo all
those who want to hear mIisic play
ed and sung In a way that is not
surpassed anywhere else IN the
whole world. Fifteen years ago one
or two opera stars were presented
with poor supporting casts. made
IN ri - hos
and slovenly productions Now all
ia exactly opposite. Casts are pick
cd with dissertation and without re-
card fear expense, members OF the
chorus can sirg better than some of
the former supporting singers. the
orchestra il a big part of the per-
Torrance and fortunes have heeu
expended in scenery and costu mes.
That Is why people who use to shun
Grand opera are now going 10 hear
It.
William Collier has not acted In
south Bend I'm long time. He used
TO come here in those clever far ces
IN which he shines so we'll. The Col
Ter OF The Man F'rCm Mexico"
"Dn the Quiet, Tho Dictator
Caught In the Rain" and other
comedies has not been forgotten.
although he has been missing for
many seasons Mr.. Collier is now
nIling an engagement at the George
VI. Cohan Grand opera house. Chi
caSo. There ne is playing I'm "ThC
HOttcntot" and ne Is funny = r.Ot
funnler than ever before. Mr.. Col
her IL under tho management OF
san: H. Harris
Fiske O'Hara. the Irish tenor, who
sings SO well that those who 20 10
hear him never tire Of his singing
the kind OF songs that make the APP