San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

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4 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW January 15, 1910 c orrespondence NEW YORK. Jan. 9.— Otis Skinner returned to New York last week with a new play, a successor* to The Honor of the Family, in which he was last seen here. This time Mr. Skinner has elected to appear in a piece called Your Humble Servant, made especially to fit him. by Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson. Mr. Skinner and his new play were on view at the Garrick Theatre. Your Humble Servant deals with the sentimental adventures of a barnstorming actor named Lafayette Towers, most of whose professional life is divided between playing things like East Lynne through the tank towns ( as the one-night stands are occasionally described by the profession) and devising ways and means to keep his costumes and scenery out of the hands of the sheriff. Towers has all the characteristics which the story writers and comic paper editors have led the public to believe are possessed by his type. He is warm hearted, generous, impulsive, exasperatingly simple, childishly naive, totally deficent in worldly wisdom and always, always acting, "on and off.'' There is much delightful comedy in each of the four acts, and the chief character as drawn by the authors is a consistently picturesque and truly humorous type, to the impersonation of which Mr. Skinner successfully brings his ripened powers of characterization. The blithe manner in which he triumphs over the defection of the rascally manager, his vastly amusing preparations for the purchase of the $14 stove that never is bought and his cajolery of the landlady who wants her money are particularly entertaining to witness and pleasant to remember, as well as his distracted evidences of excitement on the night of Margaret's triumph. Likewise his devotion to the object of his love and his never failing self-abnegation he contrives to make as touching. Izetta Jewell, previously not much known to Broadway, in impersonating the actress contrives to invest that character with personal charm. Moreover she displays a natural and easy manner that is pleasant to observe. A. G. Andrews contributes a lively sketch as the manager who first absconds but later "picks a winner," while Edward Fielding gives a highly amusing performance as a peculiarly deliberate and invariably polite dipsomaniac who concocts a large variety of the most extraordinary line of mixed drinks ever seen upon any stage. Others in the cast include Charles B. Welles, Alfred Hudson, Jr., W. F. Scott. Isabel Richards and Jessie Croinette. There were many curtain calls on the opening night, and after the third act Mr. Skinner had to make a little speech of thanks. * * * The late Sir Henry Irving's son, Laurence Irving, and Mabel Hackney, at the Comedy Theatre last Monday night put on as a regular production Mr. Irving's adaptation of Eugene Brieux's comedy, Les Hannetons, the same play in which they were seen at the Hackett Theatre last spring for a single matinee. Mr. Irving has changed the title from The Incubus to The Affinity, which he believed would be better understood in America. As Incubus or Affinity the woman of the piece and her friend, and their neighbors, and the lines they had to speak made the audience laugh almost continuously through three rapid acts, and perhaps made some think rather seriously after it was over. The story was told in full when the piece was first given lure. In brief, Pierre, a professor of natural history, is living with a woman, Charlotte, whom he has ceased to love. He takes advantage of her unfaithfulness to him to turn her out. She threatens suicide, as she leaves. After a few days of peace, l'ierre has her brought back to him by a' fisherman, who has dragged her from the water. Without the slightest hope that they can be happy together, he is forced to take her into his home again, and begin right over the bickerings that had been his daily experience before. At the conclusion of the second act Mr. Irving made a curtain speech in which he told his reasons for producing this play, and read a letter from the author. M. Brieux wrote that he regarded this comedy as one of the saddest plays he had ever written, and that its basis was the misery that follows when a couple have nothing in common but their infatuation. In conclusion, Mr. Irving said: "1 would like to say I sincerely hope that the long esteem and regard in which you held him who made famous the name I bear will never be diminished by anything 1 may say or do. You never went back on my father, and I trust I may never do anything that would meet with his disapproval were he still alive. The Columbia, a brand new theatre at Broadway and Forty-seventh street, opened last Monday night with a good sized company, a burlesque show of old fashioned type, and a crowd that filled the house. The entertainment was especially strong in titles. Follies of New York and Paris, or Night Life in Two Cities, names that held forth promise attractive enough for any one seeking diversions of that kind. It was supposed to "introduce" Charles Howard, "the magnetic little comedian." Mr. Howard gave a Hebrew characterization of the traditional type in much the usual manner. Jane Austin was apparently his chief assistant. She managed to display some unique ami somewhat abbreviated costumes of lavendar and baby blue and helped along generously with the singing. Two young men, Powder and Chapman, received a good deal of the applause by their skilful dancing. The Six Abdallahs were another good feature. Some of the dances by the chorus were attractive. The new house is attractive in its new decorations of red and gold, its comfortable chairs and its very energetic corps of uniformed Japanese ushers. The management aims at a good Broadway burlesque house, and promises a new show every week. * * * Nance O'Neil of San Francisco, who for many years was under the more or less successful management of Mc-' Kee Rankin, has scored a permanent hit here at the Stuyvesant Theatre under the management of David Belasco in the play, The Lily, adapted from the French of Pierre Wolff and Gaston Leroux by Mr. Belasco himself. In addition to Miss O'Neil, Mr. Belasco has assembled a strong company. Miss O'Neil plays well the part of the old maid in. which she was almost unrecognizable. Her hair was a pale, faded brown. For a whole act she had little to do, yet in her outburst of revolt, a long, difficult speech, she carried her auditors with her. The erring sister was well played by Julia Dean, while Charles Cartwright, an excellent English actor, best known here for what he did in Leah Kleschna. was the stern, selfish and eccentric parent. Bruce McRae was the philosophical lawyer. W. J. Kelly was the dignified lt>ver. and Leo Ditrichstein the lover's worldly wise friend. Alfred Hickman as the cad of a brother had to be selfish and fiery. Florence Xash, a musical comedy recruit, got many laughs as the wealthy cotton merchant's daughter, while Dodson Mitchell gave a sincere sketch as the man with the cash. * * * Annie Russell will add one more role to her repertoire tomorrow evening when she will make her initial appearance at the New Theatre as Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal. For many years Miss Russell Si 'tight an opportunity to give her own interpretation of Sheridan's coquette, but until now she has been disappointed. Her chance came when the demand for the play induced Director Ames to continue The School for Scandal in the repertoire after Miss George — the theatre's original Lady Teazle — resumed her road tour. Miss Russell will be the only member not in the cast during the holidays. ROB ROY. LONG BEACH, Dec. 1.-X0 better stock company than that holding forth at the Bentley Grand has visited Long Beach. There have been larger, but none in which the individual members will out-class those of the Newman-Folz company, and they are giving a delightful little play, Divorcons, last week. The comedy is amusing and entertaining, full of sparkling wit and pointed gems of truth, an interesting story with something doing all the time. It is a production that ought to be seen by every married person in Long Beach. Miss Foltz is a delightful personage and one of the most clever artists that has ever been in Long Beach. The enthusiastic applause with which she is received each night is an evidence that her splendid talent is appreciated by the patrons of the Bentley. While she has only been seen in the one play her work in that is the most convincing evidence that she will prove one of the best attractions that has been offered to Long Beach people. Newman is fine, and every member of the company is good. RIVERSIDE. Jan. 7 — Madame Langendorff, the contralto, appeared here Tuesday evening under the auspices of the Tuesday Musical Club, to a good sized and appreciative audience. On Jan. 11, under the direction of Mr. B. Roscoe Shryock, the Symphony Orchestra of Riverside will offer its first of a series of four con certs. The vocalist for the occasion is. Mr. P. S. Castleman, a popular local basso. CHAS. E. HEATH. LARAMIE, Wyo.. Jan. 9.— Plays are coming our way for a while, now. Little Johnny Jones played to good house Friday Night. Kelly & Kneeland, singing and talking, at O. K., and Two De Belles in sketch, The Arrival of Hiram (ireen on Examination Day, at Lyric, both had good houses. At a recent meeting of the Elks, they decided to erect an opera house to cost between $50,000 ami $75,000. They hope to have it done by the beginning of next season. N P LARAMIE, Wyo., Jan. io.^Little Johnny Jones at Opera House Friday night. The O. K. is featuring Shale and Cole, song and dance artists, Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday; on the same dates, at the Lyric, Kalness. assisted by Princess Nina; she does the mysterious acts which entertain the audience. Good houses at both places. N. P. SAX J( >SF, Jan. 6.— The Ed Redmond Company continues to large business at the Jose by offering fine productions. This week, The House of a Thousand Candles is being played, and commendable work is being done by Charles Gunn, Kernan Cripps, Howard Foster, Ed Redmond, Chas. Edler. Carl Case. Myrtle Vane, Anita Murray and Nellie Hazelton. Next week, The Regeneration. At the Victory, In Wyoming will play a return engagement, Saturdav night. EL PASO, Tex., Jan. 8.— El Paso Theatre (Crawford & Rich, mgrs.) — Tonight, The Great Divide Jan. 10, Babes in Toyland ; Jan. 11-12, Chas. B. Hartford, The Crawford (Crawford & Rich, mgrs.) — North Brothers Stock Company in A Bachelor's Romance is giving fine satisfaction, and Mabel Cullen, the new leading lady, is seen to good advantage. Majestic (Crawford & Rich, mgrs.) — The Majestic is putting on two bills a week, and the S. R. 0. sign is used nightly. The Majestic chorus is well drilled and composed of pretty girls. Jan. 5 was souvenir night and Manager Frank Rich gave away some handsome handdecorated chinaware. G. A. M. LEVY'S BIG TRUNK STORE I N CORPOft AT ED COAST AGENTS FOR THE Taylor Trunks 687MarketSt.,S.F •Kwrn> Phone Dowjlds Managers!! If you don't like your Actors Actors!! If you don't like the Company you are in See Menzel About It Menzel's Dramatic Agency 915 Van Ness Avenue Telephones S. 2877 Franklin 4260 Novelty Theatre, San Francisco TO RENT By the day, week or month. Fine, comfortable theatre, seating 1,200 people. Large stage. SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO POLITICAL MEETINGS