San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

10 THE SAN FRANQSCO DRAMATIC REVIEW July 13, 1901 Eastern Correspondence New York, July 7.—The fight of the White Rats against the vaudeville managers, which broke out in a strike ou Washington's Birth day this year, has thus far played havoc with many of the continuous show houses. The attendance at Keith's continuous show house is not what it formerly was, and the Proctor circuit has been smashed. The be- ginning of the end with the Proctor contin- uous show business came when he began to substitute plays for regular vaudeville. Per- sons who patronized vaudeville houses wanted variety shows. The plays which Proctor put on were good, and they were interspersed with vaudeville turns, but the verdict of the theatre-going public seems to have been that Proctor gave too much drama and too little vaudeville. A few weeks ago three of Proctor's four houses in this city ceased to be continuous shows. They shut down iu the afternoon about 5 o'clock, and did not reopen again until 7:30 o'clock in the evening. Even then the picture machines worked overtime. It was explained that the break was made owing to the hot weather. We havejustas much hot weather every summer, and Proctor has run contin- uously throughout the summer, as Keith does throughout his P^astern circuit. Last week three of Proctor's houses closed their doors for the summer, leaving one, only one, the Fifth Avenue, open. It remains to be seen whether even that one house will sur- vive the hot weather, the withdrawal of White Rat talent, and the substitution of plays for good vaudeville turns. Six of our theatres were open with full- length plays the first week of July. The same number had closed at the end of last week. Nothing in serious drama was re- tained on the New York stage. The newest of the pretentious entertainment was The Strollers, which had been placed at the Knickerbocker firmly for the rest of the summer. Florodora at the Casino and the King's Carnival at the New York, were con- tinued indefinitely. The Circus Girl held over with the Daly Company at Manhattan Beach, but was displaced by The Geisha on Saturday. The Pain fireworks and War in China had been worked into good order. The Beggar Student was repeated by the Parrv Companv at the Terrace Garden. The roof of the Garden Theatre and Mad- ison Square Garden, still prettily arranged as an open-air auditorium, started a summer season under the management of Harry Hammerstein last week. Fresh paint gave a clean and new look to the Garden, which was unaltered in general aspect. A good vaudeville bill was supplied. It included names of such popular entertainers as James Thornton and Lottie Gilson. Frank Daniels has engaged Helen Lord and Alene Crater for Miss Simplicity. Ritchie Ling, Van Rensselaer Wheeler and Mark Smith will be in the Lulu Glasei Opera Company. Marie Dressier, who gyrates as Queen Anne in the King's Carnival, at the New York Theatre, has temporarily retired from the cast, owing to her exhaustion from the heat. Her part will be played by Edith Moya. Stuart Robson, who will be a joint star in a revival of The Henrietta, with Maclyn Arbuckle, will take Wm. H. Crane's old role, and Russ Whytal and Dorothy Ross- more will give up Iheir tours in For Fair Virginia and Man's Enemy, to take other prominent parts. Miss Rossmore is a San Francisco young woman who achieved her first pronounced success in T. Henry French's production of Little Lord Faunt- leroy, in which she was the accomplished adventuress. Richard F. Carroll has been engaged for next season's cast of Miss Bob White, the new Willar<l Spencer comic opera. A strike among the musicians on the roof garden of the American Theatre last week threatened for a time to postpone the per- formance indefinitely. The opening of the evening's performance was delayed for almost an hour. A pianist then carried the show through the evening. While I wab up at Newport last week watching the yacht races between the Inde- pendence, Constitution and the Columbia, I noticed that Al Hayman was enjoying him- self with a party of guests on board his yacht, the Sapphire. He tells me that Harry Mann, manager of his Knickerbocker Theatre here, has been very ill. Mr. Hay- man himself looked in perfect health in his yachting costume, wearing a good summer's tan on his genial face. He said that the only thing Newport lacl ed for perfect en- joyment was San Francisco's cool summer. Roii Roy. Chicago, July 8.—The unusual heat in- duced the recreation-inclined amustment seekers to take refuge in the out-of-door resorts. Summer dullness is invariably ex- perienced in many eastern cities outside of New York. In Philadelphia, only one thea- tre is supported; that one is Keith's, with vaudeville. Several parks, however, are well patronized. In Baltimore, all the thea- tres are closed, and the most frequented le- soit in the suburb called Electric Park, vaudeville is offered. Business there is not tremendous. A stock company at the Lafay- ette Square in Washington is predtiniioative notwithstanding the hot spell reveises. In the company are Edwin Arden, Minnie Rad- cliffe, Louisa Mackintosh and Bijou Fernan- dez. At Chase's Theatre, some of Ho) t's farces are revived, with Otis Harlan,William Devere, John W. Dunne, Oscar Figman and Mary Marble. In Cincinnati, Chester Park is a most enjoyable place. Comic opera and other features are presented to large attend- ance. In Virginia State the theatrical situ- ation is remote. In Richmond, the Giffen Stock Company plays a brief engagement at the Academy of Music. In Newport News and Hampton, one must wander out in the suburbs to find a toleiable t ntertaiument, but when one is longing for real summer recreation, let him go to old Point Comfort. It is an exquisite old historical spot with re- freshing salt water atmosphere. Now for home again—dearold Chicago. I have found nothing new to chronicle since my return— only that Are You a Mason ? departed from Powers' Theatre, so that Leo Ditrichstein and the other members may take a needed rest. Mr. Ditrichstein will present his new play, entitled The Last Appeal, next season. The Explorers, the musical comedy that caused much ado, has proved a drawing card at the Dearborn. The cast includes Joseph Welch, Ruth White, Charles Dick- son and Lillian Coleman, who hails from your city. At the Grand, Lorna Doone con- tinues, and at McVicker's, Lover's Lane started on its seventh week, while The Vil- lage Postmaster, at the Great Northern, gives no evidence of diminishing popular- ity. King Dodo is also prospering at the Studebaker. Raymond Hitchcock replaces himself in the role held by William Norris, who leaves the cast in order to fill an en- gagement at the Mason'c Temple Roof Theatre. The headliner at that 'ofty place is Cecelia (Cissy) Loftus, who makes her last appearance in vaudeville. Next .season she will be the leading woman in E. H. Sothern's Company. Olhtrs on the bill are the Cragg Family of gymnasts. Deonzo Brothers, Duke and Harris, Whiting Sisters, and Maude Courtney. The Chicago Opera House bill offers Mrs. Felix Morris & Co., Montoe, Mack & Lawrence, Sydney Grant, Smith O'Brien, Amelia Pepe Caien, Fergu- son and Mack, and E. F. Reynard. Sans Souci Park presents Seymour and Dupre, Murphy au-l Nichols, Mallory Brothers, and Brooks and La Petite Mathilde. The num- bers at Ferris Wheel Park are Galetti's Monkeys, Martinetti .S: Sutherland, Haido- bura Family,De Hallisand Vallora. Sunny- side, Chutes and the other parks have some fine features. The Oipheon Stock Burletque Company offers Fiddle-Dee-Dum at the Or- pheon. The organization is an excellent one, and deserves the good support it re- ceives. The theatre is crowded matinee and night, the first time in the history of that unfortunate house. Besides the burlesque. Managers Mark G. Lewis and Leo C. Teller have secured an olio introducing Kherens and Cole, W Hoevet, Will J. Cooke and Zoa Matthews. The sextette burlesque on Floro- dora by Nat and Sol Fields, .Mien Curtis, Ffelette Gavinne and two other pretty girls is one of the hits of the show, .^t Sam T. Jack's, burlesque and vaudeville, headed by Wesson and Walters, to good attendance, and Tte European Sensation at the Troca- dero also manages to draw proportionate attendance. Blanche Bates, in Under Two Flags, will open the season of Powers' in August. Otis Skinner will inaugurate the season at the Grand with an elaborate pro- duction of Francesca di Rimini. Manager Miirdock of the Masonic Temple announces a f 1,500 headliner for week of August 4th. Frank Wiesberg. New Orleans, La., July 5.—The Athletic Park has had a big week's business with the Chimes of Normandy by the Metropol- itan Opera Co. Interest was stimulated by the appearance of the new barytone, Wm. Paull, who has a fine voice and good stage presence, and who, from his "premiere," must be considered a valuable acquisition to the cast. Miss Belle Thome, as Ger- maine, was consummately effective in both her acting and vocalization. Miss Elvia Brox, as Serpolette, fully satisfied all of the madcap demands of the part. Wm. H. West's Gaspard was a finished piece of work, which the audience did not let him forget. Jas. F. McDonald had small oppor- tunity to extract any comedy out of the role of the Bailiff. West End has Kieffer &. Diamond, song and dance artists, The Pantzer Trio and Rosenbecker's Band in evening concert. Wii.i, McConneli,. Denver, Colo.,July2.—Thisis great weather for the resorts. It is just hot enough to make the people long for a cool and shady place. The result is big business at Elitch's, :\Ianhattan, Arlington Park and the City Park. Manhattan Beach opened its season on Saturday with The Wizard of the Nile. The theatre was well filled. The opera and the company made a good impression. The opera was well staged, the chorus being par- ticularly strong, and after a few perform- ances, will run along more smoothly. Blanche Walsh began a four weeks' engagement at Elitch's Gardens in Bronson Howard's com- edy. Aristocracy, on Sunday night. The theatre was filled with her many admirers, who gave the talented lady a grand recep- tion. She gave a beautiful performance of Diana Stockton. Hobart Bosworth gave a splendid representation of Jefferson Stock- ton, the western millionaire. Good work was also done by John T. Sullivan, Eleanor Moretti, Ester Lyon, Frederick Sullivan, Oscar Eagle, Verver Clarges, and Mr. Flood. The Gypsy Girls' Orchestra is at- tracting large crowds to Arlington Park. The Eagles' Street Fair closed a successful week on Saturday night. Hobart Bosworth will close his engagement with the Elitch Stock Company on Saturday night on ac- count of a bad throat. He will play the leads next season with Henrietta Crosman. Bob Bell. St. John, N. B., July 3.—At the opera hou,se the Castle Square Comedy Co. is playing repertoire, 1-6. Two very good audiences were present on the Canadian holiday, ist, when His Lordship and A Daughter of the South were presented. Leads are played by Arthur Evans and Alice Hazen. Last night A Convict's Daughter was presented, and to-night's bill is Under Two Flags. Audi- ences are rapidly falling off since the hol- iday, as company is of inferior merit. Next week's attraction is Raymond Gilbert and the Gilbert & AlyuCo., iu Monte Cristoand Vendetta, 8-13. Peachey C.\rnehan. Coast Correspondence Los Angeles, July 9.—Rose Mayo is the leading woman in a new stock company recently organized here which is playing an engagement at Ha/.ard's Pavilion. George D. McQuarie is the leading man. Their first piece. Under Two Flags, was put on the8th, and did a fair business at 10, 20, 30. * Harley Hamilton, leader of the orchestra at the Los Angeles Theatre, has gone East for the summer. The local Elks gave a dance at Brighton Beach, iith, which was largely at- tended. * James Talmage, former president of the Chutes, has been very ill the jast week. The Cabaret De La Mort has re- cently been added to the attractions of the Chut< s. The night of July 4th was the largest night yet enjoyed by the Chutes. * Los Angeles Theatre, Harry Wyatt, Mgr.— This theatre is dark this week, but an- nounces Blanche Bates and her company for a week, beginning aad.in UnderTwo Flags. * Burbank Theatre, Oliver Morosco, Mgr.— The Neill Co. put on A Bachelor's Romance for the week's offering. This piece proved as popular as when first presented here about a year ago, and drew good houses for the entire week. This is perhaps, with one exception, the company's best piece. The stage settings were pretty and the whole piece one that is above criticism. * Orpheum, J. Rush Bronson, temporary manager.— This house is doing the regulation amount of business this week and is putting up a splendid show. Rush Bronson still contin- ues to smile on the dear public as they pass him at the door, and his absecce has made him none the less popular with the Orpheum patrons. The bill includes Frank Gardner and Lottie Vincent, Ezra Kendall, Ina Allen, Odell Williams, Cole & DeLosse, Gillen Trio, East Indian Pigmies and the Biograph. * The Chutes have been enjoy- ing a big rush the past week and are doing an excellent business. The bill for the week includes Eddie Griffiths, Prof. Rabe, Harry Harmon and the Chutes Band. Saturday night another cake walk took place, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators. Herbert L. Cornish. Carson City, Nev., July 8.—The first Carni- val and Street Fair held at Carson July 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th, was a most positive suc- cess. The Midway attracted an immense crowd from surrounding country. Weather was perfect. The Mardi Gras Parade and Ball have been acknowledged to be the most in- teresting ever given on the Coast. Carson has reason to be proud of her carnival week and its festivities. Ti.-\ Ana. Walla Walla, Wash., July 7.—Arena date. Sells and Gray's United Shows, will exhibit the iSth. Leo M. Ko.sminsky. Additional Correspondence on page 13