San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

September 30th, 1899 John F. Harley is now a partner of R. B. Mays in the management of the Lyceum at Denver. President Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., of the Orpheum circuit and Charles Schinipf of the local Orpheum have been in the East and on a visit. The Earl of Yarmouth has concluded to become a professional, and Charles Frohman has "arranged" for his New York debut, which will take place presently. Robert White will be treasurer of the California Theater this season, and a more successful man could not have been secured. Manager Friedlander is to be congratulated on securing his services. Edgar Stillman Kelly whose first musical importance dates from his successful incidental music for Macbeth, years ago in this city, is composing the choral music for the dramatic setting of "Ben Hur" and he promises to excel all his previous efforts. "The Ghetto" does not seem to have pleased London, and Mrs. Potter and Mr. Bellew are re-writing the last act. Chester Bailey Fernald, who adapted it has been disclaiming responsibility for the failure, saying the piece was altered by Mr. Bellew. Miss Charlotte Thompson, the clever author of that exceptionally clever hit, "Only the Master Shall Blame," is in receipt of a letter from Florence Roberts stating that the story of the little play has already drifted East, and as a writer to an Eastern magazine has written, it is regarded in many minds as the "finest thing of the kind yet produced." J. Fkazer Crosby has just signed a contract with Harry Corson Clarke, by the terms of which he will play Richard Heatherly in "What Happened to Jones," and late in the season will originate the leading juvenile role in Mr. Clarke's new comedy, "What Did Tompkin's Do?" The stage has known Mr. Crosby for but one season, that of 1898-99, during which he appeared in vaudeville. Prior to that experience he devoted his entire time and energy to the manifold duties that the "smart set" imposes upon its members. He became noted as a horseman in the Long Island Hunting set; won a reputation as a golf player with the Oakland Golf Club, and as a typical Richard-Harding-Davis young man he is very popular in the principal New York clubs. Tomaso Salvini and his son, Gustavo, may make a joint starring tour in this country next season. The genial Tom Sterling is now taking the pasteboards for Manager Harry Morosco at the Grand. Treasurer Harry Campbell of the Grand is assisted by J. S. Smith, an adept at the business. This is a popular team. Impresario Simonson will give up the baton at the Grand after this week, and will leave for Philadelphia where he will open a studio. The Mirror says that Colonel Fay Butler left for San Francisco last week. He will spend a week in Chicago, St. Louis, and Omaha. Sanford B. Ricaby, last season manager for Harry Corson Clarke, has been engaged to boom "A HighToned Burglar" for the first two weeks of its tour. Mr. Robinson, the new musical director of the Grand Opera House, has arrived, and is conducting the rehearsals of "Rip Van Winkle" which will be put on next week. Harry Jacobs is spending much money in improving the Union Theater at Orovillle, and it will soon be one of the best amusement houses of the interior. Mr. Jacobs was in the city last week in search of good attractions for his place. FRANCIS Wilson produced his opera on "Cyrano de Bergerac" in Montreal the past week, and it made a favorable impression. The opera follows the lines of the play closely, not excepting bits of pathos which the comedian gave with effect. The music is by Victor Herbert. Gertrude Elliott, Maxine's talented sister, who has made such a favorable impression in London, leaves Goodwin's company and joins the Court Theater for the production of Captain Robert Marshall's new play, "A Royal Family," which will have its first London production in the middle of October. The Mirror has this to say of Charley Schimpf: "Charles Schimpf, secretary of the Walter Orpheum Company, accompanied by his wife and Mrs. Gustave Walter, arrived in New York on Sunday last. Mr. Schimpf is here on a pleasure trip, and will remain long enough to see the latest novelties in the theaters and to take in the Dewey Jubilee." The Midnight Bell Company closes in Sacramento October 8th. Business so far reported good. At last account, Harry Connor was playing "A Stranger in New York" at the Princess Theater, Melbourne. A hknekit was recently tendered the A froAmerican troupe at Sydney. This company had an unsuccessful season at the Criterion. Nat Goodwin's season in London has been such a money maker that he has been endeavoring to cancel his American engagements — but suitable arrangements could not be made. George Webster has received a letter from Portland saying a stock company was being formed for the old Cordray Theater and asking for his terms. It is needless to say George will not leave the Alcazar. Bettina Girard, the erratic beauty and actress whose dissipation several times brought her to Blackwell's Island, New York, is once more under her mother's wing and now wants to be a charity nurse. Miss Drew Donaldson, who plays La Pastorella in Sousa's "Bride-Elect" opera company, is said to be extremely fetching. She is altogether charming in appearance and full} realizes one's fondest dreams as a successful comic opera star. Frederick Mosley and Wadsworth Harris, two of the best Shakespearean readers on the stage, are members of Modjeska's Company. The former's Macduff in "Macbeth," and the latter's Mirabeau in "Marie Antionette" are specially well spoken of. Louise Thorndyke Boucicault has been engaged by Jacob Litt to play the Countess Mirtza Charkoff in "The Great Ruby," which is soon to go on tour with all the scenery and appointments that were used during its successful run at Daly's Theater last season. Phil Hastings will handle about all the high-class concerts we will have this season. Already he has scored two big successes — the Samuels-Asher concert and the Kalisher concert. De Pachman, the first husband of Madame Labori, the wife of Dreyfus' attorney, will be one of his big cards. Mrs. Fred Bklasco (Juliet Crosby) cast for Mrs. Glynn Stanmore in "The Idler" at the Alcazar, did not appear Monday night on account of the death of her father, Mr. Lewis of Suisun. Miss Anita Kallon was given the manuscript Monday morning and with one rehearsal, played the part without a hitch. Henkv Mii.i.ek seems to have made a most pronounced hit as Sydney Carton in the new production of "The Only Way," at the Herald Square Theater, New York. The New York Herald said "It scored an unmistakable popular success with Henry Miller in the leading role." The Telegraph said "Mr. Miller has never had letter work than this to do, as he has never better done his work." I ( Said to the Review I ah very fond of dogs, you know," * said Hattie Belle Ladd to a Re view man as he walked into her cosy home-like, little apartment. She said this apologetically, of course, for her pet, a fat shaggy dog of the Spitz breed, scrambled op almost into my face, and the operatic star had to take the brute to task for his familiarity on so short an acquaintance. Had the dog been of the bulldog variety I should not have been surprised, for about a dozen good bulldogs turned loose on an equal numl>er of San Francisco dramatic critics would be an event that would delight not only Miss Ladd but others of the profession from the East, who have received only the iciest kind of daily newspaper notices. "Yes, I do love dogs," she repeated, which reminded me of a noted woman's saying, "The more I see of men the better I like dogs." But Miss Ladd, changing from dogs to men, said that I was the first newspaper man she had met since coming to San Francisco. "Why, in the East," she said, "the newspaper writers put themselves out to make the acquaintance of members of the profession, but in San Francisco — it seems so different. And the audiences, too, seem coldly timid. There is not that bond of sympathy between the audience and the player that is so noticeable in the East. But when one does become acquainted with San Franciscans, how nicely they are to you. Did you ever notice it? And" changing suddenly, "you know the fogs here are terrific for the throat. Why since my arrival I seem never to be rid of a cold or hoarseness and therefore have never been at my best here. But I hope for a change soon." Miss Ladd is such a pleasant entertainer that were I a woman interviewer I would say she is the sweetest, nicest person in all the world to talk with. # * * "I like you people out here," said good-natured Charley Case to the Review man, "and they like you, too, said a bystander, judging from your long engagement at the Orpheum." "Well, I hope so," said Case modestly, "and I may come again someday." He is a most pleasant man to meet and the last fellow in a hundred you'd take for a comedian. * » "Oh no, this is not my first visit to San Francisco," said manager H. R. Ro1>erts of the Moore-Roberts Company to the Review man. "You see, I was here when I was eight years of age, but of course, I had no idea you could grow so much. It seems to me San Francisco has run away with itself, there is so much business here. And a great theatrical town it is, I hear. Yes, our company will open here next month and thence work ICast, going to England and South Africa, back to Australia, circling the globe." Subscribe for Tin; Dramatic Revihw.