San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

8 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW September gth, 1899 0 )<> (^jZ^C/^ MSSBSIMIM events iy&yr iNTenesf £0MBf)R& £ CO i. C PORTLAND. Special Correspondence. Portland, Sept. 1.— The theatrical prospects are brighter in Portland this year than thev have been in years, and all of our local managers look forward to a most successful season. The Marquam Grand is this week playing the Sam T. Shaw Company in " From Sire to Son," "The Westerners " and other stock plavs. The regular season, however, does not open 'till September 25th, when The Boston Lyric Opera Company will play a week's engagement. Manager Heiley, who returned to-day from a booking tour through the Kast, reports the engagement of the following attractions for the Marquam the coming season: "Vanity Fair," Clara Thropp in two new Isben plays, Modjeska, "Mistakes Will Happen," " Black Sheep," " Friend from India," "Milk White Flag," "Old Kentucky," Frank Mayo in "Puddin' Head Wilson," a revised version of "A Stranger in New York,'' "Madame Fifi," "Hotel Topsy-Turvy," which has just made such a big hit at the Columbia theatre in Chicago; Sousa's opera, "The BrideElect," " Why Smith Left Home," "Black Patti," the Grau opera company, Primrose and Dockstader's minstrels, James Neill stock company, The Bostouians, Frederick Warde, " Sowing the Wind," James-Kidder-Hanford triutuverate, Gilmore's band, "The Little Minister," A Contented Woman," " Gay Metropolis," West's minstrels, Willie Collier in his new play, "Mr. Smooth," and also " The Man from Mexico," Sol Smith Russell, Harry Corson Clarke, Lewis Morrison in a romantic production of " Frederick the Great," Ward and Yokes, Jefferson de Angeles in "A Jolly Musketeer" and Charles Coghlan. Cordray's theatre, which has been entirely renovated, redecorated and enlarged since last season, opened August 27th, with Hbyt's "A Midnight Bell," L. R. Stockwell' and other sterling actors and actresses in the cast. Next week, " The Girl from Chili" will hold the boards, and the following week, Nance O'Xeill will come. Cordray's theatre, with its enlarged stage, is now capable of handling the largest attractions that may come to the coast. The Metropolitan opera house is a new Portland play house. It was formerly Cordray's old Third street theatre. Clarence H. Jones is manager and the house promises to be a success, having been thoroughly overhauled and handsomely decorated. It played the Georgia Minstrels to crowded houses all of last week, but is dark this week to permit of the installation of new opera chairs. Manager Jones has gone to Seattle to arrange for his next attraction. The Fredericksburg Music Hall, underthe management of Louis Dammasch, gives good concerts and vaudeville performances, and continues a popular resort. Shim,. FRESNO Special Correspondence Fresno, Sept. — While the people of Fresno have long been acknowledged to have one of the finest opera houses in any small city in California, there are reasons why this acknowledgment is more just and appropriate this year than at any time previous, for Manager R. G. Barton has had the house thoroughly renovated this summer, with the result that even some of its regular patrons, when they enter it for the first time this year may be forgiven if they wonder whether they have not strayed into the wrong pew. From floor to ceiling, changes have been made, all tending both to increase the comfort of the visitors to the place during the coming winter. The Ellefords are here this week and will remain six nights. They opened to a crowded house with " A Flag of Truce " on Monday night, and will probably close with " The Great Metropolis," the intervening nights to be occupied by "A Nutmeg Match," " A Banker's Daughter, " " Uncle Dudley, " and "The Knsign." Fresnoans are pleased at exceedingly good performances. But the real opening of the Barton Opera House for the season will not take place until September 20th, when Modjeska will appear with her company. Manager Barton has always shown excellent judgment in his selection of companies, but probably he has never done better that in deciding to bring Modjeska here. Following her will come some of the leading companies appearing on the coast at that time. In fact, Manager Barton has a selection of companies in contemplation which will certainly result in drawing larger houses than have heretofore been seen in Fresno. The fact that this will be a prosperous fall and winter generally throughout this part of the State, indicates that the stage will be well supported. And as this has always been the case in this city, no matter what the season was, it looks as though this season would be a record breaker. Bknjamin C. Jordan. SPOKANE. Special Correspondence Spokane, Wash., Sept. 5. — The theatrical season at The Auditorium, (H. C. Hayward, Manager,) will open on September nth, with the Boston Lyric Opera Co. , for a week in repertoire. The next week will have "Vanity Fair" and "Breach of Promise," and Clara Thropp in two new plays, will appear September 29th and 30th. During the Industrial Exposition in October there will be half a dozen different troupes, followed later in the month by Modjeska and a week of the Grau Opera Co. The bookings for the season show a smaller proportion of melodrama and so-called farce comedies, as the better times have encouraged the managers of higher and more expensive attractions to risk a trip into the far away Northwest. Dodd. HONOLULU. Special Correspondence Honolulu, Aug. 25. — Mrs. Chas. Turner (Annis Montague) who for many years was identified with grand opera in Australia and at one time had a school of music in San Fran isco, has started a similar institute here. Honolulu is Mrs. Turner's home. The Orpheum Theater is playing to full houses nightly. The program is changed twice a week, Thursday and Saturday, when nights the house is crowded to the doors. This success is due to the efforts of The Orpheum Theatre Co., recently incorporated, of which Mr. J. C. Cohen, of San Francisco, is President. First class vaudeville artists are constantly being signed. Jas. F. Post, the manager, an old time comedian well known throughout the States, is also to be praised for the way in which he presents new curtain raisers semi-weekly. Opera chairs are on the way from the East and as soon as they arrive, the Orpheum will be closed and extensive repairs be made. The stage is to be enlarged several feet. The contemplated repairs cannot help but bring them good returns. The people who are holding the boards at The Orpheum are: Gus Post and Dave Marion in Irish and Negro sketches; May Ashley, soubrette; Miss Lillian Leslie, vocalist; Francis Boggs and Lillian Halwood. Dramatic sketch artists are doing excellent work and are deservingly popular. Ethel Dixon, who made her professional debut a few weeks ago as a contralto vocalist has become a decided favorite with the theatre patrons. Miss Dixon's facial expression is perfect and shows that her heart and soul are wrapped in her work. Al Hazzard, ventriloquist, amuses the audience with his clever work. Ethel Lynwood contortionist puzzles the male and causes the female onlookers to shudder while she twists and bends herself in all imaginable ways. She is a most finished artist in her line. The Maggie Moore — H. R. Roberts Co., arrived from the Colonies on the steamer Alameda, to i lay a season of two weeks at The Opera House. The repertoire is "Struck Oil;" "Hans the Boatman; " "49;" "Mrs. Quinn's twins;" " A Prodigal Father;" " David Garrick;" "Silence of Dean Maitland," and "The Golden Giant. " Aside from the Orpheum, Honolulu is dependent entirely upon traveling companies enroute to and from Australia or Japan, for amusements, as a consequence does not have as many attractions as might be desired. Companies making one night stands are always sure of good houses, this is especially true as pertains to light comedy or minstrels. It was at one time hoped that either the Southwell or Tivoli Co., would be on the boards at the Opera House this month but lack of interest was shown at this end, and negotiations were called off. The reason for this is that a large majority of the theatre going people were out of town. October or November would be much preferable and without doubt bring large houses. Native Son. LOS ANGELES. Special Correspondence Los Angei.es. Sept. 5, 1899— For the past few weeks the Orpheum has had the theatre field to itself, with the exception of some affairs of minor importance and not of a professional character. Hence, not withstanding a couple of weeks of unusually warm weather, crowded houses have greeted the performances at this popular play-house. Nick Long and Idalene Cotton jumped into immediate fa vor, and the little lady's conconception of Mrs. Leslie Carter in the fourth act of " Zaza," was exceptionally clever. With Sept. 3d, Oliver Morosco entered upon his career as a Los Angeles Manager, reopening the Burbank Theatre, under the name of Morosco's Burbank Theatre, with the Frawley Company in "Madame Sans Gene." Large and fashionable audiences have attended performances thus far given, and notwithstanding the dropping of such well-known artists as Blanch Bates, Hope Ross and Agustus Cook from the cast, as presented here, the play is, considering it is produced at reduced prices, very well put on. "The Senator" is underlined for September 10th. Maud Northam, who was in Modjeska's Company last season, is appearing with the Frawley Company, and negotiations are under way for securing Mary Hampton as an addition to the Company. Mary Van Buren has created a very favorable impression with local play-goers. Emma Louise Benson, who has been singing at the Tivoli in your city for the past three months is visiting her mother in this city, prior to accepting an engagement in the East. Jessie Padgham Conant is attending her sick mother at Pomona, having broken her engagement with the McCaull Opera Company to perform this filial duty. Miss Conant was formerly a very popular amatuer of this city and was on tour last season professionally with "Why Smith Left Home." The Los Angeles Theatre will open September nth, with Madame Modjeska and Company, under management of John C. Fisher, San Diego. Mr. Fisher was very successful in directing the affairs of Modjeska last season, and is quite sanguine as to the outlook of her present season, which opened in San Diego, September 4th. The Local War Board has accepted the tender of the Orpheum for a benefit performance, in behalf of members of Battery " D," U. S. V., to be given afternoon of September 14th, when, in addition to the regular Orpheum talent, the principals and members of the Modjeska and Frawley Companies will participate. Herbert L. Cornish. SALT LAKE CITY. Special Correspondence Salt Lake City, Sept. 3 — Salt Lake is passing through one of the dryest seasons theatrically that could be imagined. Since the closing of the theaters for the season, three months ago, playgoers have been left entirely without dramatic amusement. The coming of Henry Miller and Clay Clement