The San Francisco Dramatic Review (1908)

April i8, 1914 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW 9 Columbia Theatre Lower Row— Jack Brehanv Middle Row— Harry Meyers Upper Row— Jimmy Grainger ElJ ijKEHANY Harold Bushea K. T. Lamme w. h. fullwood Wm. Roddy Ed. Warner Willis M. Goodhue Geo. Roddy D. L. Wright Chas. H. Farrell A Gathering of the Clan San Francisco lias had tiie pleasure the past week of playing host to a large number of theatrical men, and Hartsook has kindly snap- ped the aggregation. Very delightful and refreshing is the play Shameen Dhu at the Co- lumbia this week with Chauncey Ol- cott in the leading role. It is a tale of love, pretty ladies and pa- triotic gallants, with the usual mis- understandings and happy climaxes that one sees in Irish plays. The story is told in three acts, laid as follows: The first is the home of the widow Farrell in Kincannon, Ireland; the second at the Green Dragon Inn, and the third in the garden of Mrs. Farrell. The stage appointments are most appropriate, whether they be the interior of the charming home, the interior of the , public inn, or the beautiful garden —all are pervaded with the charm of ancient atmosphere and produce an effective background for Olcott and his capable assistants in their in- terpretation. Constance Molineaux is a charming Peggy O'Dea, bring- ing just the right amount of arti- ficialty, petulancy, coquetry and sweetness to the part to make it en- joyable. Beth Franklyn as Sheila Farrell, the much sought-after wi- dow is very pleasing. Jenny La- mont as Betsy Bowers, her old nurse, is a delightfully virile old ' Irish woman. May Donnelly, as Xorah, is a neat little person in the right place. John G. Sparks as An- dy Bowers, as the inn keeper, with his good wife, Betsy I Bowers, supplied some good bits of comedy. David Glassford as Martin McGleash had an unlovable part, but we all liked his good, natural acting in the last act. Robert Gill fitted into the part of Edward O'Dea right well, as did John Sheehan, Walter Colligan, Frederick Roberts and Maurice Drew in the parts of Tim, Flynn, Waters and McPhates respectively. The Dare O'Donnell of Chauncey Olcott is mighty attrac- tive. He appears as a true Irish lad with just enough of the brogue to his tongue to make his speech de- lightful, and the grace of his move- ments, the fascinating manner with which he handles his hands and feet, his many little nervous mannerisms have endeared him to many an audi- ence ! His songs are so pretty and are done in a simple, unaffected way that is refreshing. One is as good as the other, all but Too-ra-lee-ra- I loora-ly, That's an Irish Lullaby, j which is the best one that he does, and which wins for him much spon- taneous applause. The orchestral numbers by Mr. Freeborn adds much in their daintiness to the quaint, sweet atmosphere of the l)lay. For an evening of enjoyment without a problem to solve or with- out acquiring an unpleasant flavor f which to rid oneself later, nothing can be better than a visit to Sha- meen Dhu. Cort Theatre • AI Jolson is with us—and it may be mentioned that The Honeymoon Express is present also—but the Jol- son personality in this town, where he got his real start and appreciation is the overpowering interest. In this ve- hicle Jolson has returned to his cork, and through the show he radiates wit and real humor. The Honeymoon Express is one of those metropolitan expositions of attractive femininity shown by tiie putting together of mu- sical and dancing acts that serve to attract and please the "tired business man." There is a whirl of attractive dressing, diverting dancing, pleasing singing, and a whole lost of specialties. Among the principals who was greeted vociferously on the opening night, was Ada Lewis, formerly of San Fran- cisco, U. S. A., but now, by the lure of gold and opportunity, a regular ha- bitue of Broadway. Ada has over- come that splendid lissomeness that used to be her striking characteristic, and has now acquired a dignity and some weight. She is the same clever comedienne as of old. Donald Mc- Donald and Anna Wheaton are a team of clever dancers. Jack Storey, who has been here before with dra- matic shows, and Melville Ellis, erst- while Native Son and now one of the cleverest stage designers in New York, contribute their abilities to the show. Marie Robson is one of the at- tractive hits of the show and the per- fection of her French dialect is most enjoyable. The production is com- plete and imposing and worthy of at- tention. Next week is the last. Alcazar Theatre This week's offering at the Alcazar Theatre brings with it two very popu- lar artists, Marjorie Rambeau and Willard Mack, in Kindlinp-, Charles Kcnyon's virile dramatic conception. The play derives its name from the fact that the plot centers ai)Out the raising of children in the tenement districts of the great cities, where they are like so much Kindling, brought into the world at the volition of others and their little lives snuffed out by some passing disease which exting- uishes them as a breeze would the wavering flame of a candle. Miss Rambeau was wonderful in her por- trayal of Maggie Schultz, the poor wife and victim of tenement condi- tions in New York. Her whole atti- tude throughout the play was con- sistent with the character she was por- traying, from the humble manner and meekly submissive gestures to the final open rebellion at her fate. She was well supported by Willard Mack, as the rough stevedore, whose speech and actions were typical of the class he represented. Anna Mack Berlin, who played the part of Bates, the old Irish washwoman and true friend of Mag- gie, has the honor of being the original Mrs. Bates, and added strong support to the cast. The strongest scene is in the second act, when Maggie Schultz denounces the conditions of tenement life, being driven to desperation ow- ing to the fact that her husband is out of work and that she is about to become a mother. She steals a dia- mond brooch, which she pawns for $113.00, so that she and Heine can go out to Wyoming and start life anew—where her ,baby could come into the world to last, "like the trees and the prairies and the mountains," and not be born among the filth and disease of tenement life. She is, of course, found out and the justification she offers for her crime is one of the most powerful dramatic .scenes ever written in a play. In this scene Miss Rambeau was superb and Willard Mack introduced a new, convincing method in acting, as far as this town is concerned at least. K. Cripps as Steve, Burt Wesner as Raffcrty, the plain clothes cop; Howard Hickman as Dr. Taylor, Louise Brownell as Mrs. Burke-Smith, and Dorcas Mat- thews as Alice Winters. The entire pro- duction was most artistic and leaves one with a pleasant sense of satisfac- tion. The many friends of Miss Ram- beau and Mr. Mack, who have long recognized their ability and charm of personality, are delighted to have at least seen them start a season here which, from general comment, is to be a brilliantly successful one. Beth Taylor Goes to Oakland Beth 'I'aylor, leading woman of the Ed Redmond Stt)ck Company, will sever her connection with that company in three weeks to accept a similar position with the Bishop Stock Company, now at Ye Liberty Theatre, Oakland. Miss Taylor has been with the Redmond Company for the past eight or nine years. She is one of the most talented young emotional actresses on the Pacific Coast. Bailey & Mitchell Lose Seattle Stock Bailey & Mitchell are out of the Seattle stock in Seattle, and the thea- tre is now under the management of Geo. MacKenzie, the K. & E. repre- sentative, who will continue stock, opening Monday last.