San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

(i THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW September 9th, 189 AT THE * * * LiOCAb THEATERS O^OB/lc & CO SA Grand Opera House. The Grand Opera House is crowded nightly by enthusiastic audiences who never seem to tire of the clever situations and catchy melodies of " El Capitan." Wolff, as the bloodthirsty humbug, with the "penetrating glare" is of course the biggest hit of the performance. Mr. Wolff is an artist, and has become during his stay here immensely popular. He is that variety, a comedian with a good voice, and his singing of the drinking song in the last act is encored three and four times each night. There is little lor Persse to do but look well, to sing a very pretty serenade and walk through the opera. Arthur Wooley, as I'ozzo, the wretched representative of the Viceroy, gets a laugh out of every line, and Goff, as the insurgent leader, gives a most convincing performance. The new member of the company, Hubert Sinclair, as the peppery lover of El Estrelda fits into the company as though he belonged there. He has a very good voice, a splendid appearance, but he should enunciate a little more clearly at times. It is almost impossible to catch a word of the dialogue. The feminine part of the cast, headed by Edith Mason, can always be counted on for an even performance. Miss Mason has little to do, but does that little well. Hattie Belle Ladd, as El Estrelda and Bessie Fairbairn, as the Princess Morgauza, fill out the rest of the cast. Miss Fairbairn is just what the company has needed for some time. Good character women are born, not made. Miss Fairbairn was born. Next week — Suppe's Fatinitza. to her had a recall. Warren as the Friar, met with favor, the other parts being more or less successful. The orchestra was as usual worth the admission and the beautiful music of this work will always draw a large number of music loving people. The opera will be repeated Sunday evening and Saturday matinee. Carmen was the production on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, and Salassa's singing of the Toreador was given the stamp of strongest approval. Miss Linck, in the title role, did some exceedingly clever acting and her singing was fairly good. Avedano, as Don Jose, was very acceptable, as was also Miss Prosnitz as Michaela. The minor roles were exceptionally well filled. The T'woli WHAT would have l>een considered a good house elsewhere but which, for the ever popular Tivoli, rather a slim one greeted the performance of Gounod's tragic five act opera, "Romeo and Juliet," on Tuesday evening. As Juliet, the fair daughter of the house of Capulet Miss Lichter was to the front, ever ready, musically and pleasant to look at and if at times one is reminded of the fact that the middle voice lacks soundness and that articulation is indistinct, it is forgotten or forgiven in the pleasure of knowing that she is at home with her part whatever it may be. She is a serious student and an industrious worker. Berthald as Romeo started out only fairly well, seemingly tired, but as the evening went on pulled himself together and did some excellent work, notably in the grand duets for the lovers. As Capulet, Mertens was excellent. As the nurse, Miss Stockmeyer did fairly well, Miss Beckwith looked handsome as the page and in the air assigned Alcazar Theater If THE opening of the Alcazar Stock season last Monday night is a promise of the future then may the patrons, of the popular O' Farrell Street playhouse rejoice. The first productions "Christopher, Jr.," one of the first plays John Drew won stellar success in, was a wise selection, emphasized all the more by the well qualified company presenting it. Eugene Ormonde, the new leading man, is a graceful actor, a good dresser and possesses an refreshing aplomb that wins the spectator from the start. As Christopher Colt, the Junior of the name, he showed a true appreciation of the spirit of the part and gave a clever light comedy characterization. If we are not very much mistaken, when he assumes more emotional parts, there will be a matinee girl furore around the Alcazar that will eclipse any of the numerous previous ones. Gertrude Foster, who made her work here a couple years ago as the Alcazar's leading woman is once more enacting leading roles. There is always an intelligent purpose in Miss Foster's acting and charm of dainty womanliness about her that has made for her a great and personal following among the theatre goers of this city. Her Dora was most enjoyable and reflected the charm of her personality. Clarence Montaine who has a habit of making much of small parts was very good in the light part of Mr. Glibb. Geo. Webster's Major Hedway was sufficiently abrupt and outspoken as the retired Major; Marie Howe was good, as she always is. Frank Denithorne was Denithorne, well dressed and reliable. Helen Henry, had a small part in which she made a lovable sister. The balance of the cast was in suitable hands, and the stage settings and management — just a word about them — they were directed by a man who knows his business. Some of these times we shall have a word to say about him. The Columbia Mr. Clay Clement has often appeared in "The Bells," but never to letter advantage than during the past week at the Columbia theater. It is safe to say that Mr. Clement expected some adverse criticism of the production here and consequently he must have been pleased on seeing that some of the most particular reviewers complimented his earnest and painstaking work. With but one or two minor exceptions, no improvement could have been made in the melodramatic piece, and to say that Mr. Clement is a one-part actor is misjudging his ability. At all times he had the attention of his auditors fairly riveted on his masterly handling of the character of Matthias and in the dream scene his acting was superb. Mr. Clement is to lie congratulated on surrounding himself with such an efficient company. Augustus Cook and H. S. Duflield were especially strong in the character parts of father Walter and Hans and Mr. Cook's make-up shows him to be a past grand master of the «art. H. Gittus Lonsdale as Christian has a few unfortunate mannerisms which rather mar his otherwise excellent work. W. B. Mack and J. D. Williams played small parts acceptably. Mr. Mack's reading of his lines in the dream scene was especially good; Miss Nell McEwen made a lovable pretty Annette and Miss Phosa McAllister gave an earnest delineation as Catharine. As Sozel, the awkward maid, Miss Gertrude O'Malley did a neat character bit of a trying part. To sum it all up, the play was well acted, well costumed and well staged and deserving of better houses than have been the rule. separated from his position in consequence, and Walter Whipple, a large man with a large voice over which he has very little control, essayed the part of Capt. Ratts. 'Devjey, Oakland The Octoroon has held the boards at the Dewey the past week. The piece is too well known to require comment. Suffice to say that the mounting was elaborate and good. E. J. Holden, manager of the house, was pressed into the service, as the cast is a long one and made a hit with the disagreeable part of Jacob McClosky. Landers Stevens as Wah No Tee the Indian did an excellent bit of character work, while Miss Gillette as the tearful heroine had the sympathy of her auditors from the start. George Hermance played the old colored house servant Pete, to the life and was responsible for the few laughs in this most somber piece. The rest of the cast including Carl Berch, Maurice Stewart and Gracie Plaisted was good with the exception of Charles Franks who was unable to learn the dozen lines of the Auctioneer by the middle of the week and was mLi^ement<5 ?K iext Wee< The Grand That tuneful and delightful opera "Fatanitza" will be the attraction at the grand opera house next week. It will be put on better than ever before. The Alcazar The Alcazar managers have decided to put on the "Wages of Sin" next week, and, like "Christopher Jr. " it will no doubt be sufficiently attractive to draw crowded houses. The Columbia The Columbia Theatre is to be dark the weeks of September 11-18. The regular fall and winter season will be inaugurated on the 25th inst. by the great Polish actress, Modjeska, who is to be supported by John E. Kellard and other very capable people. Elaborate productions of "Marie Antionette," "Mary Stuart," "Macbeth" and "Much Ado About Nothing" will be included in the repertoire to be presented. The Orpheum The next week's program at the Orpheum will include the Bachelor Quartett which will depict the scenes and incidents in bachelor apartmentts between 11:30 p. m. and 1:30 a. m. This feature promises to be the hit of the show. White and Harris, singers and dancers, will also be new on the bill ; also the Crawford sisters, character change comediennes. They are an exceptionally good comedy team. The boys' band and the leading actors of this week will remain. (Continued on page 13)