The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, September 29, 1895, Page 20

20 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 18Y5. RAMATIC THEMES. New Bills at the Playhouses of the City.| Review of the Past and Promise of the Future. o JBETWEEN Acts st e 08 Sraaa oW T s (BumerTiEs e, “Trilby” is upon us, and there is no foretelling what new and terrible form the “Trilby” craze will assume during the | coming week, The most ominous feature of the case is that San Francisco is nothing if not original, and it would be considered | a blot on her escutcheon to rest satisfied with the outward and visible manifesta- tions of Trilbyism which have been in- vented and patented in the East. At present there do not seem any new Trilbyisms left to invent, that can be | practiced with safety outside an asylum, but the coming week will put local origi nality to the test. Ifthe play catcheson,as it has done elsewhere, Trilbymania may be expected to rise to an acute stage, and Taffy, Little Billie and the Laird. observations taken in the East have shown that when this is the case it always breaks | outinnew and unexpected places. The de- | velopment of the coming week may, there- | fore, be awaited with interest, not untinged | with anxiety. | An exceptionally good performance was that given ¢f *‘Diplomacy,” at the Colum- bia Theater last week. The leading parts, particularly those of Beach and Richman, | were in the hands of actors who made | them artistic pictures, and even the minor | characters were finished studies. The propertyman made the performance | of “Diplomacy” remarkable by some rather clever compromises, which showed that he desired to give the French coloring and at the same time did not intend to lose his hold on local interest. For inscance, in the English embassy in | Paris the newspaper which the unhappy | busband snatched up in his despair and | affected to read in the full glare of the | footlights was unmistakably a French | journal, for the people in the stalls could ; read the type of that politest of languages, | though they were alittle staggered to see that the British diplomat was consoling one | of the most trying moments of his life by | studying Le Franco-Californien. Perhaps the propertyman wished to convey the impression that if Dora’s conduct forced | her husband to fly to happier climes he | could not do better than turn his steps to California. | Brinker, usually so much at home in his | and new, was good in its way. decorate the Parisian office of her Britannic Majesty with three large and handsome maps of the United States. Great rareties they must have been considered in Paris, too, for every one who is familiar with that giddy capital knows that the outside world cuts very little figure in its geographies. | You can buy ‘‘France in Provinces,” “France in Departments,” “France With Railroads” — canals, mountairs, hedges and ditches—if you choose, but anything outside of France is always represented as of microscopic dimensions, scarcely visible to the naked eye. Such little touches of local coloring apart, | the staging of *‘Diplomacy” was fin-| ished and handsome, as is always the case at the Columbia Theater. | el | Milton Nobles’ drama, “Love and Law,”’ | is full of thrilling incidents and the inter- est never flags. Mr. Nobles took the lead- ing part at the Grand last week with ease and naturalness; he also took all the best | voints for himself and left the other char- | acters without a solitary joke among them. | One forgave him, however, be acted so well. C] s Swain, as a Dutch policeman, cut but a sorry figure, and yet as an Irish- man he has more than once been the pride of the force. Even his love-making was brief last week and his attention to his du- ties was so great that he was almost in time to secure the burglar. Les lie made the mildest and gentlest of burgiars. It was well for him that he had an opportunity of becoming honest, for he would never have mede his salt at | burgling in these days of competition. Edmund Hayes, on the other hand, wasa | villain of almost too deep a dye. Coulter | parts, seemed ill at ease in the disguise of a wealthy man of noble birth. A life of freedom and action is evidently more to his taste than the part of the walking gentleman. Miss Hall looked well as an Italian girl, though it was a mystery why she should possess the complexion and general make- up of a coral-seller at Capri when her parents were English and she was born in London. Miss Thrupp fairly brought the house down with her dancing and singing, and the audiences contributed tneir share to the performances by enlivening them with plenty of applause. There was a full programme at the Orpheum last week, and every item, old Among the novelties was the poolroom of Haines and Pettigill, where you are *‘robbed while you wait” and shot several times before you can get out. McMahon and King gave some truly wonderful specimens of plantation danc- ing, especially the lady, whose gyrations, if not very graceful, were so rapid and daz- zling as to make the beholder feel that the whole room was going round. Hines and Remington, although new comers, might be classed among the novelties as their rep- resentation of the “‘Pawn Shop” was en- tirely different from their former sketch. Dryden and Mitchell introduced a novelty, to wit: A little dog, which one of them sold to the other for $50, and then basely stole back again. The audience was as en- thusiastic as ever over the clever Weston and Hubert musical item. There has always been a poetic license It was a patriotic inspiration, too, wi about Italian opera which in these days of | Ad sordid realism is positively refreshing. “THROW UP YOUR HANDS!"—GRAND OPERA-HOUSE, Aslong ago as 1709 and 1711, when opera was a new fad in London, the critics used to lash themselves into a state of fury over its incongruities; and in spite of it all Italian opera has flourished and its in- congruities have flourished with it, even unto the present day. Here are a few remarks thrown off by n in 1711. No one can deny that except for a few unimportant details they might have been written about the touching love scenes between Miss Ida | Valerga and Martin Pache in “Ernani” at the Tivoli: “The king or hero of the piece generally spoke in Italian and his slaves | answered him in English. The lover fre- quently made lis court and gained the | heart of his princess in a language | which she did not understand. « KUSEDALE” AT GROVER'S ALCAZAK—THE GYPSY CAMP. the Pacific Coast at the Baldwin to-morrow evening. 8o many compiiments have been paid by the Eastern journals to this pro- duction, and especially to Lackaye for his portrayal of the bypnotizing Svengali, that considerable curiosity has been felt by the theater-going public in the advent of the piay. It is said that when Potter first suggested dramatizing “Trilby,” his idea was con- sidered an impossible one, but he succeeded in makiag his work a success by taking the hypnotic element and weaving the play about that, preserving as intact as possible the Du Maurier sketches of characters, and infusing the Quartier Latin atmosphere into the play. “Trilby” has been running for months in New York C where it is still in the i ty. In Chicago the One would have thought it very difficult to have carried on dialogues after this man- ner without an interpreter between the persons that conversed -together, but this was the state of the English stage.” Isita digression to mention ‘“The Bo- hemian Girl” when one is on the subject of Italian opera?. The work has been played successfully in Italian under the name of *“‘La Zingara,” though the Tivoli company mean this week to give it to ue in English, *free from all adulteration.” For the last year and a half sensational paragraphs have cropped up periodically about the writer of this work—“Balfeina poorhouse,” “The cowposer of the ‘Bo- hemian Girl’ penniless,” etc. The paragraphists really ought to have learned by this time that twenty-five years ago Michael William Balfe went where there are no poorhouses, and where pen- nies do not pass curtent. A Balfe of the second generation has been passing through the financial crisis. Michael William died in peace and prosperity twenty-five years ago, and the beautiful tablet to his memory in Westminster Abbey bears these appro- priate words, which Pache will sing to- morrow in the “‘Bohemian Girl'’: There may perhaps in such a scene Some recollection be Of days that once have happy been, Then you’ll remember me. But he never expected to be remembered and placed in a poorhouse twenty-five years after his decease. “It takes a wise man to make a fool” is asaying that some of the performers at Grover’s Alcazar might have applied to themselves with inward satisfaction last week. The utter absurdity of the dialogue and situations in *Chip of the Old Block’’ made the whole thing depend upon the cleverness and wit of the actors, and Miss Plaisted, Mrs. Fanny Young and Misses Scott and Lothian held up the four corners admirably. Fanny Warren and Francis Powers were also quite equal to the oc- casion. The one-sided love-making of Major and Jerusha was one of the best bits, and the bachelor menage, where the old salt hung his dough on the clothes-line, was received with rounds of applause. In the midst of this comedy run wild, the little pathetic duet between Mage and Pixey was quite touching. Mage’s part was only dumb show, but it was just as telline. The dancing was another feature in this bright and frothy entertainment. The Baldwin Theater. production was equally successful, and the orgaaization that opens at the Baldwin to- morrow night might still have been in the Windy City had it not been for previous bookings. This organization is one of the strongest that have been brought together to present the piece, indeed Wilton Lack- aye’s interpretation of Svengali was one of the main features of “Trilby” in the East; Edith Crane has also proved one of the most successful of the many Trilbys who Miss Crane as La Bvengali. have delnged the stage lately. The cast of characters will be as follows: T Charles H. Riegel T;”y .Charles ClnflgI‘d Brenton Thorpe B Geck Dods Romayne Simmons Antony Victor M. de Silke Lorimer .Edwin Brandt Philippe. Trilb; Mrs. Kool < Honor Mimi. Musette. Pauline Hall and her company give their final performance of “Dorcas'” at the Baldwin Theater to-night. They will re- turn to San Francisco early next season to present a new opera. Paul M. Potter's dramatization of Du Maurier’s much read novel “Trilby,” interpreted by A. M. Palmer’s organiza- tion, will be presented for the first time on \ Columbia Theater. The farewell week of the Stockwell play- ers opens at the Columbia Theater to-mor- row night with Pinero’s screaming comedy “The Magistrate.”” Margaret Craven goee East with the Stockwell Company, and will therefore not appear again in San Francisco for some time to come. “The Magistrate” will also be the vehicle for the farewell performances of Rose Cog}&lan, Henry E. Dixey, William E. Beach, Maud Winter and L. R. Stockwell. : Several benefit performances have been arranged for this week. The opening night will be devoted to the San Francisco Nursery for Homeless Children. On Thursday the California Associated Cy- cling Clubs will attend in a body. The Bostonians open at the Columbia ‘Theater to-morrow week with “Robin Hood.” The production to foliow is “Prince_Ananias,” an opera written by Victor Herbert, the leader of Gilmore’s band. Its music is described as bright and sparkling, and the plot is said to be an ef- fective one. The story relates the adyen- tures of the King of Navarre, who has never smiled, and whose austerity goes to the length of fining any of his subjects who indulge in that levity.” The court of this austere monarch is invaded by a band of adventurers, consisting of an outlaw, a vagabond poet and some sn-ollingbp)ayem. ‘The situations in the opera are based on what befalls them at the palace. Among the singers who will appear dur- ing the present engagement are: Henr: Clay Barnabee, William H. McDonald, Jessie Bartlett Davis, Helen Bertram, Eu- gene Cowles, Geerfi;a Frothingham, Harold Blake, Frank V. Pollock, Jerome Sykes, Elizabeth Bell, Leonora Gnito, Cora Barna- bee, Peter Lang, C. E. Landis -and Joseph- e Bartlett. On the opening night of the Bostonians there will be a new drop curtain at the Columbia Theater, representing a scene in the Yosemite. Grand Opera-House. The second week of the Milton Nobles season at the Grand will open to-morrow evening with “From Sire to Son,” or “In the Shadow of Shasta.” This is perhaps the best piece of the Nobles repertoire. It isa California story, written by a man who and it possesses a good many of the touches of nature which have made Bret Harte’s ‘Western stories so popular. The entire action of ““In the Shadow of Shasta’ is not confined to this State. In the third act a tour of Europe is begun, which starts in Venice and ends with the fourth act in Germany, the thread of the story being cogtinued meanwhile without interruption. Three new sets of scenery have been painted for the production. hey consist of a fine view of Shasta, an effective Ven- etian scene and an old castle on the Rhine. A stagecoach, drawn by a team of thor- oughbreds, will be one of the features of the California scene. The cast will be as follows: Alfred Armitage, under the assumed name of John Oakley ..Milton Nobles Mabel Armita; fe of known as Mabel Oakle; Mabel Armitage, daughter of Alfred and Mabel Mrs. Amanda Stockup, proprie(ress of Yuba Hotel eeenane ..Julia Blanc rence Thropp _Sarah Stevens ge, | Maua Edna Hall r daug daur, wife of Waldaur. s 3 Anna, a maid to Mabel.. Dr. Marmaduke Mandrake Hamilton Mandrake, his son, attorney-at law. .H. Coulter Brinker Xpress agent A . Charles W. Swain a Job Cadwalder, .kdmond Hayes County, Cal. _Fred J. Butler Harry Benrimo Frank Neuman George Nichols gambler. i heriff of Yuba Abe Isaacs. .. cKi n: s, servant 1o Waldaur. is thoroughly acquainted with his subject, | Bill Yocum, driver of Red Dog stage. S Miners, Drivers, Vigliantes, etc. Atthe Alcazar. To-morrow evening will inaugurate the first performance of a romantic drama, under the new management at Grover's Alcazar. The play selected is ‘‘Rosedale,”” which has always been a favorite in San Francisco. New scenery is being prepared for this play, which lends 1tself particularly well to scenic effect. Some novel displays of colored light will be introduced into the gypsy camp scene, and careful attention will ‘be paid to all the ballroom acces- sories. In the cast of ‘“Rosedale’”’ Leonard Grover Jr. will appear as Bun- burry Cobb, a part with which he has already _ heen successiull{ identified. Hereward Hoyte has been selected for the Tole of Elliot Gray; Miss Jennie Kennark, the leading lady of the company, will take the part of Florence May, and Miss May Noh{’e will be the Rosa Leigh. The balance of the cast will include Francis Powers, Charles E. Lothian, Mrs. Fanny Young, Miss Lillian Clayes and Miss Ida Park. Tivoll Opera-House. The Tivoli company will desert grand opera for this week and give its attention instead to opera of the ballad variety by representing Baife’s ever-popular “Bohe- mian Girl.” Tn this production the full strength of the regular Tivoli company will be util- ized. The role of Arline, which has been a favorite with so many prima donnas, will be alternately sung by Laura Millard and Alice Neilson. Mabella Baker will sing the Gypsy Queen; JMartin Pache, Thaddeus; John J. Raffael, Count Arn- heim; . H. West, Devilshcof, and Arthur Mesmer, Florestine. All these artists have before played the ssme parts throughout the East and in the West with success. Presentable scenery, correct cos- tumes, appropriate accessories, and a care- fully trained chorus and orchestra will tend to make the production as perfect as possible. _ On Mondzay evening, October 7, Verdi's opera ‘‘La Traviata” will be sung, with Mlle. Ida Valerga in the role of Violetta and Martin Pache as Alfredo. Asmost people are aware the plot is founded upon umas’ story *‘La Dame aux Camellias,” and the title-role affords excellent acting as well as singing opportunities to the prima donna. Californ Theater. The California Theater will open its sea- son on November 4 with the presentation of ““Charley’s Aunt.”” This play has been unusually successful, both in America and Europe, and during its engagement at the Baldwin last season it drew large audi- ences for three weeks. 2 ‘Charley’s Aunt” will only remain a short time at the California. Following it will be Jacob Little’s melodrama, ‘‘The War of Wealth.” At the Orpheum. The Orpheum’s programme for this week will include three “star’’ features, all imported from Europe, the special stel- lar attraction being the Sisters Millar, who are well known on the other side of the Atlantic. They are said to be pretty serio- comics, dancers and instrumentalists. John Higgins, one of the new perform- ers, is advertised as the champion long— distance and trick jumper of the world. He holds the championship of the world in a standing hop, two strides and a jump, covering the distance of fifty feet. This remarkable gentleman can jump into a basket of eggs without breaking a single one, and he can clear two horses 164 hands high, standing siae by side, in a standing leap. His act is considered the greatest athletic novelty that has yet been intreduced to Orpheum audiences. Louis Fialkowski, “The Universal Man,”’ imitates' birds and animals in a manner that has won him great distinction in Mos- cow, the town from which he comes, as well as in other parts of Europe. In addi- tion to the above new performers a num- ber of last week’s favorites will be retained on the programme. Frau Klafsky’s Arrival. The New York Herald says: The un- announced and unexpected arrival in New York of Frau Klafsky, who is to be the principal dramatic soprano of Walter Damrosch’s Opera Company next season, has a story back of it, of course. Frau Klafsky will have nothing to do for two months to come, and she is here in defi- ance of the contract rights of Mr. Pollini, her manager at the Municipal Theater of Hamburg. Her departure from Germany w. H. McDONALD OF THE BOSTONIANS. - - was secretlf' made, and in all probability to prevent legal interference with the pro- jected American visit. It seems that she could not agree with Mr. Pollini on the division of the money which she expects to make here, and so took French leave of him. Since he is a member of the German Society of Manflgers, whose principal pur- pose is to punish singers who break their contracts, it seems more than likely that Frau Klafsky’s European career is at an end, unless she shall be willing to pay the very stiff penalty which will be assessed against her, and buy her way back into the good graces of Mr. Pollini and his col- leagues. She says he wanted half of all her American earnings, and the statement will seem plausible enough to those who know the Hamburg manager. Dramatic News in Brief. The Tavary Opera Company last week opened the beautiful new Montauk Thea- ter in Brooklyn, N. Y. The Bostonians have changed the title of P = e The Sisters Millar at the Orpheum. their new comic opera, “Mexico,” to “A War-time Wedding.” Sims Reeves, the celebrated English tenor, was remarried last week after a brief eriod of mourning for his former wife. r. Reeves is 73 years of age. Minnie Palmer’s new musical comedy, “The School Girl,” written for her by Messrs. Manchester ana Maurice, was received with particular favor at Cardiff on its first presentation. BSarah Bernhardt intends to appear in the title role of a new play by Mme. Judls Gautier, entitled “Princess Victorieuse,} treating of an episode of the conquest Annam by the French. 3 Rose Coghlan will go to England on the close of her engagement with the Stocks well stock company. Her husband, Jol T. Sullivan, will remain in America to fi his engagement with “In Sight of Bty Paul’s.” The London Referee says of the produce tion of “‘Alabama” at the Garrick Theaters It is a wholesome breezy play, bringing the scent of the magnolia over the footlights and abounding in those touches of true humanity and real pathos which occasions ally extract the tributary tear. It is worth noting that *‘The Widow Jones,” thetitle of McNally’s play for May Irwin, is the name of an imaginary charac- ter in “The Love Chase,” of whom the heroine, Constance, is made jealous. M. Baduel, the new manager of the Porte St. Martin, will inaugurate his season a$ that house early in October with a produe tion of Paul Deroulede’s versified dramsa, ¢ Messire Duguesclin,’”’ in which M, Coquelin will play the principal role. The house was not half full on Irving} opening night in Montreal because the speculators had bought the best seats and Montreal people refused to buy of them, although the speculators hawked first-class seats about the sidewalk at half prices Irving did not like the empty seats and re« fused to make a speech. “The Widow Jones,” says the New York Herald, “is indeed no play at all. It is all by-play and not_of the most edifying kind unless Miss May Irwin is on the stage. She and her -song, ‘The New Bully,” have become as popular here ag anybody in town.” An Actor Who Paints. Joseph Jefferson is a gifted artist with the brush, as well as on the stage. The current number of the Monthly Illustrator contains reproductions of some of Mr. Jefferson’s best efforts. The subjects are sylvan and are bandled with the gentle grace that would be ex?eczed of the genial impersonator of dear old Rip Van Winkle. Found Unconscious. Herman Kruss, the driver of a milk wagon, was found in an unconscious condition on the sidewalk, at Pine street and Van Ness avenue, yesterday morning. He was taken to the Ree cefving Hospital, where Dr. Werl expressed the opinfon that he was suffering from opium poisoning and the necessary remedies were applied. When Kruss regained consciousness he denied having swallowed opium, but could not account for his lapse into unconsciousness, He lives with his parents at 622 Lombard street. e ‘Whist Club Opening. Owing to the slowness of the work om the Bohemian Club building, the opening of the Trist Duplicate Whist Club cannot take placa Tuesday evening. The club will not open for a few days yet,and then due notice will be given of the opening. THE OLD MILLDAM, A COPY OF JOSEPH JEFFERSON’S LATESD OIL PAINTING. [From the Monthly Ilustrators} !