San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

ine 1 8. 1910. THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW 5 Perry Girton Will Reintroduce Red Melodrama to Los Angeles LOS AXGELES, June 16. — John Jlock is in town, ahead of William oilier, who comes to the Mason next eek. A. L. Erlanger will be in ie citv next week and acquaint him•lf with local theatrical conditions, [tewart Edward White attended a rformance of The Call ( )f The orth at the Belasco the other night, living it much praise. This is Geo. roadhurst's dramatization of Mr.' lute's book. The Conjurer's House, he ( Irand ( )pera House has been ken over by the Girton Stock CornLay, who will put on good oldshioned melodrama, opening with Ragged Hero. Frank Montgom\ Iry and Neva West will head the oranization and Joseph De Grasse will 1 lake over the stage management. Miss IVest will be unable to appear at the ]nning performance, but her place till be ably filled by Agnes Johns of (he King Stock' Company. The fharles King Stock Company, upon leaving the Grand, will go to San ■Diego, where they are prime favorites, and enter upon a fifteen week's [ngagement at the Garrick, putting on lome high-class royalty plays. [Richard Bennett has arrived in town, paving been succeeded in Miss Kdams' Company by Arthur Byron. 1 Mr. Bennett is under contract to appear with the Burbank Company for I few weeks before going to New pork to rehearse for his new play. While here, Mr. Bennett will appear I In a new play by Edgar Selwyn, ivhich will receive a try-out at the ! Burbank. Owing to the popularity !bf Paid In Full, his opening will no Houbt be delayed. Florence Pearce Wadsworth. a Los Angeles girl, and late soloist for the Ellis Club, has accepted a position as prima donna with the Ferris Hartman Company. Aside (from diligent voice training, Miss Wadsworth has been a pupil of the Egan Dramatic School. Charles Clarke is once again business manager of the Grand Opera House, since ^he departure of Lew Spalding for Kin Francisco. Dana Hayes, for[rnerly of the Auditorium, is his assistant. Mabel Howard, who is remembered in Los Angeles as Betty Johnson, when playing ingenue parts with the Belasco Company, has sailed for Alaska with the George Howard Stock Company. W. T. Wyatt. of the Mason, has returned from a twoweeks' vacation, and makes public a few of next season's attractions, which include many of the choice attractions and the big stars. That portion of the Alphin Fargo Company that played a recent engagement in San Diego, will be sent out on the road, while the other half remains at the ( )lympic on Main St. Christine Neilsen is winning fresh laurels in the East in Peep-Bo. Miss Neilsen became known in the East the very first part of the season in Frank Daniel's production of The Belle of Brittany. Ernest Glendenning, a former Belascoite, is receiving favorable criticism for his work in the revival of Jim the Penman by the Florence Roberts Co. Dick Ferris's former wife, known to the stage as Grace Hay ward, has brought suit against him for the rights to Graustark. BELASCO. — ;The Call Of The North is the attractive production at the Belasco this week, made so by the careful and painstaking work of the players and the wonderful efforts of the scenic artist. .Mr. Bruntofi. The play itself is unreal and melodramatic, but tells an interesting story of the Hudson Bay Company, enlightened with good bits of comedy. That part of the country where the action of the story takes place is an inspiration to the stage artist, and in this case every opportunity has been grasped to make a beaiutifu-1 and lasting picture, the lighting adding to the marvelous reality. Xed Trent is a "freetrader," who falls into the clutches of the despot of the Hudson Bay Company, one Alhret, and is about to be sent on "the long traverse," from which no man ever returns. Albret's daughter falls in love with Trent and saves his life. There are many minor parts, which are made prominent through the ability of the individual players. Lewis Stone plays Ned Trent in a care-free, easy and manlike manner. Frank Camp does full justice to the character of Rand. The Factor, Albret. is splendidly played by Mr. Yearrance. As Achile Pecard; Charles Ruggles does an excellent piece of character work. Chas. Giblyn has a small part as John McDougal, which stands out prominently because of the very clever way in which he handles it. George Field, as an Indian; Mr. Applebee, as the pious, thick-headed minister ; Dick Vivian, as the Company doctor, and Mr. Corrigan as McTavish, all contribute character parts that are delightful. Florence Oakley is the verv picturesque daughter of the Factor, and rises to the dramatic moments in good, clear style. Helene Sullivan makes a very charming Mrs. Brockton. Margaret LanghamfMrs. Lewis Stone) does some effective acting as Julie Bagneau, playing the part with infinite charm and delicacy. BURBANK.— Paid In Full, after breaking all records of the theatre the first week, continues to play to big houses in its second week. The small cast of seven people are putting on a performance equal to, if not superior to many road productions. MAJESTIC. — Monsieur Beaucaire, which was a delightful story by Booth Tarkington, is just .as charming as a play, when written by Evelyn Grenleaf Sutherland and played by James K. Hackett. An atmosphere of powdered hair and patches, coquettish glances from beautiful ladies, the slander and gossip of that scene of many of England's love talesBath, is used as a backgroun I for this fanciful story. As M. Beaucai'e, the London exquisite, Mr. Hackett is all that could be desired. Dressed m the height of fashion of the day, lie presents a splendid appearance, and makes the character a fascinating picture of comedy and pathos. Miss Beckly is a dainty Lady Mary and looks a miniature from that period. Arthur Hoops is splendid as Winterset, and Mr. Mestayer easily and The Henry McRae Stock Co. One of the Most Successful Stock Organizations West of New York. Featuring MARGARET OSWALD, Presenting Only High-Class Plays. "NOW ON A TOUR AROUND THE WORLD" MenzeFs Dramatic Agency Xow in new location. No. 815 Hewes Building Market and 6th Streets. Home Phone J 4329. gracefully assumes the part of a courtier. Following the play comes the little sketch. The Bishop's Candlesticks, based upon an incident in Les Miserables. It is hard to realize that the same art which creates the delightful Beaucaire goes towards the making of the convict, faan Val Jean. It shows the strength of Mr. Hackett's acting. Harry Mestayer as the Bishop is excellent. This double bill is one of the best things seen at the* Majestic for some time. ( )R-PHEUM . — ( ireen is the predominating tint of this week's bill, even to the tail lights in Fogarty's best story. The Irish are to the fore. Frank Fogarty returns with his wealth of good stories that come so fast, they leave you gasping for breath. T. J. Ryan and Miss Richfield have a Cressy sketch called Mag Haggarty's Reception that huboles and sparkles with good Irish wit. Mr. Ryan has a good bit of character work and Miss Richfield cleverly assists. The Morrisy Sisters and Brothers are four splendid dancers who, strange to say, can also sing. They are well dressed and, aside from their skillful dancing, please the eye. Smith & Campbell are the big hit of the bill in a turn called Camping Out. The fact that they have been on an outing trip is made evident by the things with which they are laden down and their appearance of utter weariness. Their opinions on outings in general are aired in the cleverest of repartee, and the act is one of huge enjoyment. The hold-pvers are The Ollivotti Troubadors, Helen Grantly and her company in The Agitator, James Harrigan, the tramp juggler, and the Mascagno Brothers. LOS ANGELES.— Frances White, the little Los Angeles girl who made her debut a short while ago at this theatre, is on this week's bill, and leaves a pleasing impression. A dainty little maid with a good voice and a charming personality, she makes her popular songs go with a dash that catches the audience. Big Little Hip goes through many stunts with the ease of an old veteran, showing remarkable intelligence. This smallsized elephant seems to have a wellconceived idea of what is expected of him, and proceeds to get through his performance without the slightest hitch. Frank and True Rice are clever athletes, with several novel stunts and a dash of comedy. Joseph and Myra Downing present a sketch termed Sua]) Shot, that is a bunch of nonsense, but made enjoyable by the clever way in which it is presented. The Boyle Brothers do some very skillful and spectacular club swinging, which is far above the ordinary. Billy Elwood, as an old salt, gets off some rather stale puns, but seems to satis fy PRINCESS.— Fun On The Midway is filled with plenty of musical specialties. Minta Durfee sings Liza, a catchy coon song, with a joyous manner that makes a big hit. Roscoe Arbuckle and Fred Ardath have the big end of the comedy, which they prove themselves amply able to handle. Ben Sellers sings his famous Dutch Kiddie song. Hazel Baldwin, the new ingenue, seems to be winning instant favor and has several catchy song numbers. The chorus are much in evidence and show excellent training and costuming. OLYMPIC— The Sky Pilot brings back many familiar faces to the < tlympic stage. This little comedy is one of Alphin Fargo's best, and is replete with good things for all members of the company. Jules Mendel has his usual line of German dialect and Dave Morris, Walter Spencer, Monte Carter and Al Franks are each well cast. Mabel Bunyea has new gowns and new songs, while Blossom Seeley does a large share toward making The Sky Pilot a success. FLORENCE EMERY. Knowles -Bennett Closes The KnowlesBennett Company closed in Santa Barbara last Sunday, after a season of eight weks. The company left an unusually fine reputation wherever they appeared, but the fag end of the season proved unprofitable. Jack Bennett and Priscilia Knowles left immediately after the closing for Philadelphia on account of the serious illness of Mr. Bennett's mother and sister. They expect to return to the Coast in September. The Empire Comedy Company is making quite a record in the nearby bay towns with a series of fine comedies. The ghost failed to walk the middle of last week and once more The Washington Square Theatre is dark.