The San Francisco Dramatic Review (1908)

i6 THE SAN FRANQSCO DRAMATIC REVIEW May 30, 1914 Charles Compton Clias. GMnptnii, llic Alcazar juvenile man, has made a most favorable im- pression upon our tlieatrei^oers in the short time he has been in our midst. His versatility is most unusual and his personal characteristics are extremely pleasing. Mr. Compton came to San Francisco with a record of successes long enough to put envy into the hearts of many of his older brothers in the theatrical profession. He is very much of a youngster—only 24—but he has played more parts in his time than many actors twice his age. lie tells how he went on the stage when he was little more than a boy, and after put- ting in several years jobbing about, landed his first real part in the New York production of Hearts Aflame in a cast that contained such notables as Arnold Daly, Robert Haines, Dorothy Dorr and Bijou I'ernandez. From this he jumped into light opera, being the ixjssessor of a splendid singing voice, and being also a dancer of ex- traordinary ability. The opera was The Duchess of Dantzig, a musical version of Madame Sans Gene, and associated with him in the cast were Holbrook Rlinn and Adrienne Au- guarde. After this came the leading role in Cohan & Harris' New York pro- duction of George M. Cohan's spirited musical play. F"ifty Miles from Bos- ton. Then came the Merry Widow craze, and young Compton, owing to his versatilit)', both as singer and ac- tor, was given the role of Prince Dan- ilo, and in that ])art he toured not only America, but also South America, playing in all of the capitals of the southern countries. With Juliette Dy- ka he played in The Queen of the Moulin Rouge, in which he had the leading male role. This was followed by a year in F.uro])e, studying singing, improving his dancing, and having a good time. On his return to this country he immediately signed with Madame Sherry, in which he scored one of his greatest successes. He next listened to the call of the dramatic stage, and for one season was seen in the leading male role, with Helen I.owell in The Rejuvenation of .Vunt Mary. The New York prCKluction of The Rose Maid was his next engage- ment, and then he api)eared with TuUy Marshall and Lillian Albertson in the New York profluction of The Talker. In order to develop his versatility he ])layed two stock engagements, one in Dayton, Ohio, and the other in Kansas City, with the Auditorium Players. Mr. Compton had his best chance dur- ing his engagement here in Willard Mack's vivid play. So I\Iuch for So Much, and his handling of the part of the young man of the Brennan family was an artistic gem and may end in his |)laying it in the New York ])ro(luction. Mr. Compton ought to appeal strongly to our stock man- agers, for out here it is the fashion to COLUMBIA THEATRE l^ailv at 2:30 and 8:30 (Except Sunday) ANNETTE KELLERMANN In the Film Masterpiece of the World N e p t u n e 'js Daughter .\ \\'(inderfui, Weird, Spectacular Photo-play that Enthralls, Amazes, Startles and Inspires 8000 FEET OF FILM—500 SCENES— DIRECT FROM GLOBE THE.\TRE, NEW YORK .Ml .^cats Reserved, 25c and 50c Look! Look! Look! Monte-i"y-Carter an<l his Dancing Chicks Musical Travesty Company NOW IX si':\ i:x'm i'.k; week — retcrn i-:\(i acement Garrick Theatre, Stockton Cal. SHOW I'.KiCER .\XI) B.ETTER THAN E\ ER All New Plays indulge in a couple of months every summer of nuisical shows, and it is generally almost impossible for a man- ager to .secure for his company actors who can be equally at home in both dramatic and musical comedy work. Mr. Compton fits most snugly into this condition of affairs and we look to his making a long stay in the West. Is Seattle to Have Another Stock Theatre? It is said that work on the new stock theatre to be erected on the site of the old Star Theatre, corner of D Street and Ninth Avenue, Tacoma, will start this week. The project is being promoted by former Manag*^ Charles Richards, and calls for an iit- vestment of nearly $50,000. The house is to have a seating capacity of 1200. The holding company has beeft incoqjorated and among the stock- holders are numbered several of Ta- coma's well-known business nieip. Fred Palmer, for the past two year a member of the .Metropolitan Thcati staff, has been ai)])ointed house mai ager for the Seattle Theatre, succeei ing R. L. Dunham. Erne.st (ilover the new scenic artist, succeedii Charles Jenkins at the Seattle. It rumored that (Jeorge MacKenzie w move the stock shortly to the Metr pcilitan and use the Seattle for movii pictures. I