San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

DECEMBER 2nd, 1899 AT THE * ♦ * bOCAb THEATERS jT/ze California The Frawleys opened their three months winter season Sunday night with a play new to San Francisco— an out and out melodrama — The Sporting Duchess. The piece is superbly mounted, the women beautifully gowned and the ensemble effects are distinct triumphs of stage craft. As is to be inferred from the title, the Sporting Duchess deals with elements of racing in high life, disclosing a couple of family entanglements and misunderstandings through the machination of the villain, [who was so thoroughly good as to be hissed by the galleiy], and the love trials of several confiding hearts. The play itself in no way tests the merits of those interpreting it, but served forcibly to remind one that Manager Frawley's present organization is one of great strength, acting together exceedingly well. The cast was a long one and fairly glittered with good people. Francis Byrne, Earl of Desborough, Save an impersonation full of quiet dignity and intelligence and leaves one with the impression that there is much in the opinion that he will before a great while take rank with the four or five great leading men of the country. Harrington Reynolds sacrified a naturally pleasing personality to the exigencies of his part, as the villainous Major Mostyn, with the result of frequent hissings from the critics in the gallery. Such being the verdict, from which ihere is no appeal, it is hardly necessary to say that Mr. Reynolds carried out the author's conception of the part perfectly. In later productions, the public will see him in more pleasing characters, and from reports we may expect much from him. Wallace Shaw, well known as an actor of ability, was Col. Donnelly; Harry Duffield, Captain Fred Chisholm, and Frank Mathieu, as Rupert Leigh showed marked improvement in his work since his debut of little more than a year ago. J. R. Amory furnished the comedy element, in the role of Dr. Streatfield, A. M.S., retired, and had several humorously entertaining scenes with Miss Hampton and Pearl Landers. Mr. Amory is one of the effortless comedians, who create a most genial feeling between actor and spectator and is a valued member of any company. Theodore Hamilton was Joe Aylmer, the trainer, and presented a picture of the sturdy, honest family retainer, whose rever ence and devotion to the house of Desborough could not be swayed, with a fidelity that made his assumption probably the most striking of the numerous characters well handled. Mary Hampton, one of the most beautiful women on the stage, recalled, principally, for an exceptional success in Under the Red Robe, presented at the Baldwin a few years ago, was the Sporting Duchess, Her Grace of Milford, and if every gentlewoman of Briton dressed as well, looked the thoroughbred so completely and created the good impression made by Miss Hampton, then across the water would dwell a race of most fascinating women. Speaking of fascinating women [and they are Frawley's strong point]' brings us to Mary Van Buren, who was the great surprise of the evening in a really brilliant, living, characterization of the adventuress, Vivian Darville. Miss Van Buren has laid aside the passiveness that used to distinguish her, she has added vim and earnestness, has developed a spontaniety and readiness that will soon be recognized as belonging to one, if not the foremost, of our comediennes. Pearl Landers, grown into a young lady now, made a very pretty and charming Annette Donnelly, in love with the doctor. Phosa McAllister, a great San Francisco favorite, is still with the company and had the small part of Mrs. Donnelly, while Marian Barnay, was an acceptable Countess of Desborough. Little Gladys Weller deserves mention, too, for presenting a picturesque and pleasing little Lord Fernside, with a degree of skill uncommon in one so young. The Alcazar I T is seldom that any stock company 1 gives such a finished performance of a difficult play, even down to the most minute points as that which was presented in Saints and Sinners at the Alcazar the past week. Each and every character bit in the piece is a gem in its way, and were in hands that were well able to care for them. Eugene Ormonde played Jacob Fletcher, an aged minister, with great discretion, and the characterization is one of the best things he has done here. In the pathetic portions his voice was extremely tender, and he sunk his personality completely in the part. Gertrude Foster did a fine piece of emotional acting as the tearful, erring heroine. Frank Denithorne is at his very best in such characters as Ralph Kingsmill, and George Webster outdid himself as Capt. Eustace Fanshaw. Frank Opperman, the new acquisition to the Alcazar forces, made a most auspicious beginning as Lot Burdon. Carlyle Moore, Clarence Montaine, William Morris, Ernest Howell, John Torrence, Marie Howe, Juliet Crosby and Maggie Francis Leavey extracted from their several parts every ounce that was in them. To repeat, the show is one any stock company might well be proud of. The piece was, as usual at this house, extremely well staged. The Columbia Bronson Howard's great and realistic war play, Shenandoah, has been the Columbia's offering this week, and this splendid play of American war time has again drawn crowded houses to witness the stirring scenes depicted. Jacob Litt, in presenting Shenandoah this time, has added greatly to the spectacular effects, and if the play has lost something in the quality of the actors presenting it, in comparison of the companies playing it before, it has gained much in the vivid stage pictures and the general sumptuousness of the production. Robert Elliott, cast for the part of Col. Kerchival West, was a goodlooking, manly, dashing hero, and made a good impression. Louis Hendricks, as General Buckthorn, was exceedingly good as the bluff and blustering old general, and Otis Turner, Sergeant Barkett, the Hibernian, who was the last to see Col. West at the battle of Cedar Creek, gave almost, if not quite, the cleverest performance of any of them. The role of Jenny Buckhorn fell to Julia Bachelder, and to her must be given credit for a most delightful performance, quite the best given by any of the feminine contingent. Estelle Dale was Gertrude Ellin gham, Alice Xeal Madeline West, and Caroline Frank line Mrs Gen. Haverhill. The balance of the cast was in capable hands. .Shenandoah is a play that will not for a long time lose its interest, and the present production is well worth seeing. The marshaling of the retreating troops across the stage, the firing of the troopers and of canon, contributed to a most exciting picture of actual warfare. The play runs for another week and is sure of a large attendance, Grand Opera House Rick's world famous and beautiful extravaganza, Evangeline, has had a good run at the Grand Opera House again this week. Monday evening a fine audience greeted this favorite production. The company was in fine form and entered into the fun of this charming burlesque with an esprit and abandon which won the house. A number of solos were heartily encored and the duo of Evangeline [Edith Mason] and Gabriel [Hattie Belle Ladd] was so sweetly given that recalls were in order. Hattie Belle Ladd was in unusually good voice and her prison song gave unbounded pleasure. Winfred Goff as Catherine carried off the honors. William Wolff Arthur Wooley, Bessie Fairbairn and Georgie Cooper were all received with enthusiasm. Thos. H. Persse, after a few weeks' absence for rest and recreation appeared in the guise of a rollicking, roving Irish boy and gave some delightful Irish melodies, Kathleen Mavourneen especially touching the hearts of the generous audience, who applauded him to the echo. There was an extra matinee Thanksgiving Day. Next week a new version of His Majesty will be given at the Grand. New cAlhambra IN Old Kentucky is on for the second week and drawing good houses. This melodrama of an enjoyable type is received with enthusiasm every evening, and with the good things the New Alhambra has presented to the play-going public of San Francisco under the new management, is helping to make this well located theater most popular. The Pickininny Band is still the hit of the play, with its specialties and fun. The colored boys are good dancers and carry the house. In Old Kentucky is such a favorite that it could well run another week successfully, but Sunday afternoon is the last performance. Sunday evening the new farce-coir.cV.y, Mr. Plaster of Paris, will be presented. "The moti '"THE HOOLAH, presented at the 1 Tivoli this week, is a Persian Operetta which, with its many comical situations, lively music and dancing, proved very pleasing and afforded many opportunities for fun. Phil Branson sustained the comic role of Hoolah-Goolah, the Hoolah. Kloise Mortimore made her first appearance before a Tivoli audience Monday night and she certainly demonstrated that she has an excellent voice and possesses the requisite talent to be at once welcomed as a favorite. Ada Palmer Walker as Namouna, was at her best. Alf. Wheelan, as Salameleck, as is usual with him, did the comic to the delight of all. Tom Greene the handsome Prince Tarpid, with tenor voice, the Governor of the Province and William Schuster, Moka the Cadi, were splendid. The stage settings and management as usual with productions at the Tivoli, were thoroughly good, and the Hoolah filled in very acceptably the week before the season of hilarity beginning with the advent of Ferris Haft man, Saturday night, December 9th. Tuesday evening was given over to the Masked Ball and the season of Grand Opera will conclude .Saturday night with the double bill, Cavalleria and Pagliacci, rendered in superb style. Read the Dramatic Review