San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

THE SAX FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW January 2. 1909. January 2, 1909 January 2, 1909 ROSENER'S SUITS AND OVERCOATS $25.00 Values at $^0.00 and $35.00 Values at $15.00 $20.00 ( )ut of Town ( )rders Filled VAX XESS AVE. AT EDDY ST., SAX FRAXCISCO Wilkie Collins Is Dead William Calderwood Collins is dead, but one expression is heard on all sides — that of regret. "W ilkie" Collins, as he was familiarly known in Sacramento, was a general favorite. The announcement of the death of no other citizen of the community could call forth more sorrowful and sympathetic remarks. For twentyfive years he had been connected with the Sacramento Evening Bee, and was one. of those who ever exalted his calling, was honest with his employers, honest with the public, and honest with himself. He had a smile for everyone, and no matter how dark the clouds, he only saw the silver lining. He never intentionally wounded the feelings of anyone, and had no enemies. He used to say: "Life is too short for quarreling." W ilkie was a man of ideas, had a keen sense of humor, and withal was a graceful and fluent writer. Xo man in newspaper work in Northern California had a wider acquaintance with theatrical people. IU knew familiarly almost every actor of note in the United States, and had during his long newspaper experience interviewed almost every star in the country. His father, the late Barney Collins, was a man of great oratorical ability, and one of the best Shakespearean scholars of his day. "\\ ilkie " Collins was born in Indiana in February, 1861, and was in his forty-seventh year. He came to California and to Butte County in 1879. and was apprenticed to the printing business in Chico. He commenced writing while working at the case, and soon won his way to the editorial-room. His bright, spicy and witty stories brought the local paper into State prominence, and he soon was called to a larger field. "W ilkie" Collins is survived by his mother ; two brothers. I'lric, a well-known actor, now in the East, and Enos ; a sister, Mrs. A. B. iDorrett of Berkeley: a wife and two children, Mrs. Alice Weisman and Kay B. Collins, the latter a member of the Elleford Company. The funeral will take place at 3 p. 111.. Thursday, from the chapel of Clark & Booth. Interment in East Lawn cemetery. New York's New High Art Theatre The laying of the corner-stone of the Xew Theatre recently was an occasion of far-reaching interest in the art history of this city and country. So far, the theatre in the United States, and in every English-speaking country, has been primarily a place of amusement. It has been conducted, first of all, to make money, and such literary and artistic value as it has had has been incidental and has been abandoned when falling receipts showed a_ failing public interest. This does not mean that many of our actors have not been actuated by high artistic purposes, for many an act< >r has risked his hard-earned fortune in the effort to give to the public a higher class of plays than the public cared for. When the actor's savings were gone he quickly had to fall hack upon such entertainment as the public was willing to pay for in the "palmy days." Shakespeare was followed by farces filled with an obvious horseplay which now finds its only place upon the vaudeville stage. But. with the openin of the New Theatre next November, it will be possible to produce plays of high literary and artistic quality without regard to whether they are popular and without involving the actors in risk. The undertaking will start with the most costly and impressive theatre in the country, and with a subscription of $3,000,000 provided for just this purpose of familiarizing Americans with a wider range of drama than is possible in the commercial theatre. Dr. Holmes once said that a lecture to be successful should contain nothing which could not reach the dullest intelligence in thirty seconds. That requirement is much more true of plays that hope for the long runs upon which financial success depends. The Xew Theatre will give a hearing to plays of intellectual quality, yet to which a long run would be obviously impossible. That does not mean that the theatre is seeking uninteresting or tiresome plays. Of course, the prestige of producing a new play which shall achieve a great success would be especially valuable to the new house in its first season. But as at least two plays and one opera comique will be presented each week, there will be room for plays of more than one sort. As the poems of Browning and the novels of Meredith find publishers in the full knowledge that they cannot compete as "sellers" with the stories of John Fox, Hopkiuson Smith or Mary Johnston, so at the Xew Theatre it will be possible to see plays which will interest six audiences without being able to attract six thousand. The effect of a high standard of quality at this theatre upon the more ambitious actors and managers is likely to be among the most useful results of the Xew Theatre. Actors like Sothern and Mrs. Fiske, managers like the Frohmans. Klaw & Erlanger and Belasco are not likely to allow themselves to be outdone by the endowed venture in the adequacy of their productions, at least, while, if the Xew Theatre shall give popularity to plays of high intellectual quality, the private managers will naturally look for commercial success in the same direction. If the Xew Theatre be not wrecked upon the rock of amateurish incompetence at the start, its opening will make the year iyoo a red-letter date in American dramatic history. — Brooklyn Ragle. Norris & Rowe Circus By the look of things we would not be surprised if The Donaldson Lithograph Company, the heaviest creditor of the Xorris <!<: Rowe circus, would put that concern out next season, with H. S. Rowe in charge. A meeting of the creditors of the circus was held in the court-house at Santa Cruz last Monday. The proceedings were conducted by Edward Martin, referee in bankruptcy, and as a result of the conference Mr. Martin appointed Joseph S. Geisler, an experienced circus man, trustee for Xorris & Rowe, fixing his bonds in the sum of $10,000. New York Picture Houses Remain Open Xew York, Dec. 27. — Protected from interference by a Supreme Court. defjsjoi),. practically all of •xp$fS '}o6 Jind Aore* moving picltire " exhibit ionV'V erV'today in full operation, despite the revocation of their licenses by Mayor McClellan on Christmas eve. In nearly all of them lectures were delivered, with a view to bringing the performances within the Corporation Counsel's interpretation of the Sunday law. Caruso Gives a Week's Pay Xew York, Dec. 29. — Enrique Caruso will contribute a week's salary to the earthquake sufferers in Italy, his native land. Caruso is said to receive $2,500 a week at the Metropolitan Opera House. W. B. Sollender of Bishop, Inyo Count}-, is figuring on building a theatre for his town. Alcazar Another week of The Girl of the Golden West begins next Monday evening, with every indication that the drawing power of the great Belasco play has increased rather than decreased since its first presentation. It is not so much in its story as in the atmospheric effects employed and the brilliant acting of at least three members of the Alcazar company, that The (iirl of the Golden West enthralls. Indeed, the narrative is little more than a series of dramatic incidents in the career of the Girl, but the clothing of each incident with a marvelous realism intensifies the general coherence, while the individual and team work of Evelyn Vaughan as the Girl, Bertram Lytell as the road agerat and W ill R. Walling as the sheriff compels admiring attention when it is m evidence. If fate had willed that Miss Vaughan instead of Blanche Bates create the role of the Girl. Broadway would now have another favorite, for all who have seen both actresses in the part pronounce the Alcazar's young leading woman more than equal to its every exaction. Mr. Lytell has never appeared to better advantage th^:-^«» the road agent, because the rctle calls for the virility which is his best forte, and Mr. Waiting's acting as Jack Ranee is simply splendid. Orpheum Rare enjoyment may be anticipated from the program for the week beginning this Sunday matinee. Wilfred Clarke, a dashing light comedian, will appear in a farce of which he is the author, entitled What Will Happen Xext. It has proved enormously successful in the East, where it won the unqualified praise of the most eminent critics. Mr. Clarke, who is a nephew of the great tragedian, Edwin Booth and a brother of that sterling actor Creston Clarke, will have the support of his own company. De Biere. an illusionist, will puzzle and entertain the Orpheum audiences. The Salvaggis, whirlwind dancers, are expected to prove a tremendous success. The troupe includes four women and one man. and their dancing is described as furious and strenuous. In addition to their whirlwind dancing the Salvaggis introduce characteristic I 'arisian. Spanish and classic numbers. Edwin Latell, an amusing comedian and a capital musician, will present a musical monologue, called Dull Care, in which he will impersonate an eccentricity named Bunion. Josie and Julia Rooney, daughters of Fat Rooney, will present an attractive offering, consisting of singing and dancing. I [ibbert and Warren, two unique minstrels, will indulge in a pastime which they call The Pianist and the Dancer. Gus Hibbert is considered one of the best eccentric dancers in the country, while his partner, Fred Warren, is thoroughly at home at the piano. Eva Taylor, whose recent success in Chums is fresh in the public mind, will return for one week only, and Gus Edwards' School Boys and Girls, whose popularity is gi eater than ever, will conclude their engagement with this program. A new series of Orpheum motion pictures will conclude the performance. Valencia So great has been the glee and so many have heen the laughs caused by the hundreds of funny lines and amusing situations in The College Widow that the Valencia Theatre management has decided to continue George Ade's delightful pictorial comedy for another week and the concluding performances will not be given on Sunday afternoon and evening, as was originally intended, but seven days later. Robert Warwick, handsome, big of frame and looking the halfback hero. Billy Bolton, to the very finger tips, gives a sterling performance of the part. The Widow is delightful Blanche Stoddard and she has no difficulty in giving just the correct touch to the character. Charles Dow Clark, as "Bud'' Hicks, the freshman, is one of the great laughing hits of the show. W. T. Sheehan, as the trainer. Matty McGowan. is another of the irresistible mirth-provokers. The character of the waitress, P'lora Wiggins, is acted by Helen Lackaye for every laugh that there is in it. Grace T ravers is the real thing as the athletic girl. The College Widow will be followed by Cpton Sinclair's fantastic drama in four acts. Prince Hagen. which will receive its initial production on any stage.