James Francis O'Donnell: in "The Sign of the Cross"

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James Francis O'Donnell
In
The Sign of the Cross


FIFTEEN YEARS ON THE AMERICAN PLATFORM
The above period of dramatic work in presenting his monologue plays, has given to Mr. O'Donnell the perfection of technique that time and experience can alone impart.  He arranges all of his own dramas, eliminating every word or phrase that might be considered detrimental or objectionable to morals, nationality, or creed.  In the latter respect, his entire repertoire is purely non-partisan.  He presents his monologues in plain evening clothes, unaided by make-up, costume or stage accessories of any kind; but by his wonderful art, his skill in voice inflection, tone-color, facial and physical expression, his rapid transition from one character to another, his graphic method in relating the incidents, portraying the scenes, and impersonating the characters (then, too, underlying all this, his marvelous psychic powers), that the spectator sees, not the impersonator; but in some mystical, occult manner, the living, breathing personality portrayed, vibrant with realistic life; and the audience responsive to his wondrous potency, beholds a theatrical production enacted as though a fully equipped company held the boards.  His repertoire, which consists of nine complete evening's entertainment (including a lecture) each of one hour and one-half duration, runs the whole gamut of human expression, and covers a broad field of the world's best literature.



REPERTOIRE
OF PLAYS AND CHARACTERS IMPERSONATED BY MR. O'DONNELL.

The Sign of the Cross.
(By Wilson Barrett.)

Presented by Mr. O'Donnell more than one thousand times on the lecture platform of the United States and Canada.  A thrilling tale of the persecutions of the early Christians, under Nero, through which is woven one of the most beautiful romances that has ever adorned the history of the world.



PAGANS.


Marcus Superbus
Prefect of Rome


Nero
Emperor of Rome


Tigellinus
Counsel to Nero


Licinius
An aedile of the city


Metullus
A Roman General


Glabrio
Devoted to Bacchus


Philodemus
In love with Dacia


Servilius
A Spy


Strabo
His Companion


Viturius
Captain of the Guard to Marcus Superbus


Poppea
Empress of Rome


Berenice
In love with Marcus


Dacia
A Gay Patrician





CHRISTIANS.


Mercia
An Orphan, Beloved of Marcus


Favius
Teacher to Mercia


Titus
Friend of Favius


Melos
Schoolmate of Mercia


Stephanus
Boy Messenger to Favius





The Christian.
(By Hall Caine.)

An all-absorbing story of modern London, Illustrating the dangers that beset a young and beautiful girl in the allurements of a great city.  A tale of temptation and of triumph.



Glory Quayle
An Orphan


John Storm
In love with Glory


Mrs. Callender
A friend of John Storm


Parson Quayle
Glory's Grand-father


Karl Koenig
A Musician


Lord Robert Ure
A Man-about-town


Sir Francis Drake
His Friend


A Jailer
From Bow-bells


A Matron
At the Hospital





Olla Podrida.
(Literally, a rotten dish.)

This is a conglomeration of witty sayings, funny stories, humorous character sketches, dialect impersonations, and enough of the serious interwoven to give it enduring quality.  A side-splitting evening of mimicry and mirth.



The Merchant of Venice.
(By William Shakespeare.)

The old story of the pound of flesh, teaching us the lesson of charity and forbearance; and emphasizing the Divine mandate.  Vengeance is mine.



The Duke of Venice
Arbitrator


The Prince of Morocco
Suitor to Portia


The Prince of Arragon
Suitor to Portia


Antonio
A Merchant of Venice


Bassanio
His friend, Suitor to Portia


Salanio
Friend to Antonio and Bassanio


Salarino
Friend to Antonio and Bassanio


Gratiano
Friend to Antonio and Bassanio


Salerio
Friend to Antonio and Bassanio


Lorenzo
In love with Jessica


Shylock
A Rich Jew


Tubal
A Jewish Friend of Shylock


Launcelot Gobbo
Servant to Shylock


Old Gobbo
Father to Launcelot


Balthasar
Servant to Portia


Portia
A Rich Heiress


Nerissa
Her Waiting Maid


Jessica
Daughter to Shylock





The Rivals.
(By Richard Brinsley Sheridan.)

A rollicking comedy, replete with wit and humor.  A good-natured satire on the foibles of human nature, with a plea to avoid pretensions and affectations, and live one's life simply and naturally.



Captain Absolute
In love with Lydia Languish


Sir Anthony Absolute
His Father


Lydia Languish
A Romantic Maiden


Mrs. Malaprop
Her Aunt


Lucy
Serving Maid to Lydia


Bob Acres
In love with Lydia


Sir Lucius O'Trigger
Also in love with Lydia


David
Servant to Bob Acres





Enoch Arden.
(By Alfred Tennyson.)

A touching story of heartfelt interest.  A tale of undying love, of unfaltering faith, devotion and self-sacrifice.  This is given with a musical accompaniment on the piano written expressly for it by the great composer, Richard Strauss.



Annie Lee
A Village Damsel


Philip Ray
The Miller's Son


Enoch Arden
A Sailor Lad


Miriam Lane
A Village Gossip





Richelieu.
(By Bulwer Lytton.)

The great historical drama, a psychological study of the dominating power of a mighty will, and a potent personality, appealing to the human heart through love of home, of country, of virtue and of justice.



Louis the XIII
King of France


Duke of Orleans
His Brother


Baradas
The King's Favorite


Cardinal Richelieu
Minister of France


The Chevalier de Mauprat
Soldier of Fortune


The Sieur de Beringhen
The King's Valet


Joseph
Brother of Richelieu


Huguet
An Officer of Richelieu's Guard


Francois
Richelieu's Page


First Courtier
One of the Gamesters


First, Second and Third Secretaries of State Governor of the Bastile



Jule de Mortemar
Orphan Ward to Richelieu


Marion de Lorme
Richelieu's Spy





A Christmas Carol.
(By Charles Dickens.)

A beautiful exposition of The Golden Rule, showing forth the blessings of benevolence and the evils of selfishness.



Old Scrooge
A Miser


Jacob Marley
His Deceased Partner


Bob Cratchit
His Clerk


Mrs. Cratchit
Bob's Wife


Martha
His Daughter


Peter
His Son


Tiny Tim
His Crippled Child


Fred
Scrooge's Nephew


Scrooge's Niece
Fred's Wife


Old Fezziwig
Scrooge's Old Master


Topper
In love with Scrooge's Niece's Sister


Ghost of Xmas Past
The First Spirit


Ghost of Xmas Present
The Second Spirit


Ghost of Xmas Future
The Third Spirit





The Living Word.
A lecture on the principles of voice and action, illustrating every phase of dramatic technique, by scenes from prominent plays.  Mr. O'Donnell having taught oratory in different schools and colleges East and West, and knowing the requirements of students, has arranged this lecture especially for them.





ECHOES FROM THE PRESS
The Merchant of Venice. Delighted Large Audience.


James Francis O'Donnell, the well known monologue actor, delighted a large audience last night at Westminster Hall. by his interpretative recital of The Merchant of Venice.  His rendition was divided into three parts, giving substantially the whole of the play in these divisions.  The famous court room scene was especially well given.  Mr. O'Donnell's stage presence is excellent, and his interpretations showed careful study.  His impersonations of Shylock, of Antonio, and the comedy parts of Launcelot and Old Gobbo, were especially commendable.—
“Toledo Times.”

Richelieu. A Masterful Rendition.


During the presentation of Bulwer Lytton's great drama, Richelieu, the characters of the play, although many and widely different, could be appreciated even by the younger students, owing to Mr. O'Donnell's remarkable powers of impersonation.  Excellent, indeed, was the character of Richelieu himself, the great cardinal statesman.  Mr. O'Donnell is a real artist.  His voice, at once flexible and musical, his insight into character, coupled with rare histrionic ability, make him one of the leading entertainers of the day.—
“The Spokesman,” Debuque, Ia


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Half a dozen Characters from the ever popular evening of Mimicry and Mirth



Olla Podrida

New York: He made us laugh enough to drive all cares away until we can not help but wish he'd come some other day.—
Niagara Falls Univ. Index.


Texas: If you are in the mullygrubs and need a remedy for the blues—hear O'Donnell.—
Leonard Graphic.

N. B.—Committees will kindly notify the management which one of the entertainments they have selected.  Enoch Arden is given with the Richard Strauss musical accompaniment, and the music is forwarded on two weeks in advance; but committees are required to furnish their own pianist.


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A Christmas Carol
Surpasses Expectations.
The St. John's Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin:

My Dear Mr. O'Donnell:—May I say just a word of thanks for your beautiful rendering of A Christmas Carol, upon your last visit to this Academy.  Having had the pleasure of listening to you before, we rather knew what to expect, but frequently in such cases, expectations are sadly blighted.  You may be glad to know, that not only were we not disappointed, but we were so pleased that we count on having you again in the near future.  There is one feature of your work which makes a strong appeal to us, and which I have often mentioned to others.  It is, that through and beyond your professional work, there seems to project a spirit of sincerity, which leaves with your audience an impression of your own personality, after the pleasure of the entertainment has passed away.  With all good wishes for your continued success, I am

Very sincerely yours,
ROY F. FARRARD, Major and Commandant of Cadets.


Tennessee: At the Nashville Tabernacle Auditorium last night several thousand people listened to James Francis O'Donnell in The Sign of the Cross, and from the first note of his voice the vast audience was attentive.  He paints the scene of Marcus looking upon Mercia for the first time with marvelous effect; and when, as Marcus, he pleads before the throne of Nero for the life of the Christian maiden he touches hearts.  The climax comes in the final scene with the girl he loves, when he gives up his place as Caesar's lieutenant and goes forth with her to die.—
“The Nashville American.”


Pennsylvania: The Carbondale Council, Knights of Columbus, had James Francis O'Donnell for a return date last night at St. Rose Hall; and his excellent work in that sterling old comedy, The Rivals, fully sustained the splendid impression made on his former visit.—
“Carbondale Press.”


Oklahoma: James Francis O'Donnell delivered his famous rendition of The Christian to a packed house last Saturday night.  This was his second appearance before the people of Billings; and although his first appearance was appreciated, the second was still more so, and should he come again, he may rest assured that he will receive a warmer welcome than ever.—
“Billings News.”


Michigan: In his rendition of Enoch Arden, James Francis O'Donnell added much to the high reputation he already enjoyed here.  As a reader he has few equals, and Tennyson's beautiful tale took on a new beauty and interest as recited by him, with the effective musical accompaniment as a background.  The music is by Strauss, and each character in the story is portrayed by its individual theme.—
“Lapeer Clarion.”




JAMES FRANCIS O'DONNELL

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