San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

6 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW March 24, 1900 AT THE ♦ «* * bOCAb THEATRES The Columbia San Francisco theatre-goers are still going in goodly numbers to see Because She Loved Him So, and saying pleasant things about the delightful little farce provided by the Columbia management. The highly pleasant atmosphere created by the intelligent and artistic company interpreting it, is one of the immediately noticeable conditions attending the performance. To those who delight in the pure and refined, though there be nothing more to it than what is brought out by the art of the actors, there will always be a warm welcome to plays of the class of this clever Gillette trifle. And those who have been so pleasantly associated with it can be assured of an enthusiastic reception when they appear among us The California Mark Twain's Pudd'n Head Wilson as dramatized by Frank Mayo, is on for a two weeks' run at the California, and should draw crowded houses nightly. It's such a pleasure in these days of degenerate plays and of silly misrepresentations of life in strings of nothing connecting feeble attempts at less than nothing, to sit you down comfortably and have the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy a clean, wholesome picture of Southern life as it was "before the wah." Pudd'n Head Wilson is a play from which one comes away made better, helped by seeing true manliness and courage depicted in so striking and unexpected a manner as to burn deeper into our consciousness that which we know so well, "Blood will tell." It's what makes the true man and woman — how thankful one should be for good birth — though mayhap it is the result of our ormer manner of living. Who knows? By the way — Do you want a restful, delightful evening ? Well, go to the California and you will be repaid — a good play by good actors. Burr Mcintosh as Puddn'head Wilson receives a spontaneous outburst of applause when he in a silence that can be felt, acts, as he sits thinking deeply, his simple, honest face mirroring the anxious thoughts that flit through his startled brain. Menifree Johnstone as Chambers, does the character of the slave boy who should be the master, with a beauty of simplicity whose pathos touches the heart. Frank Campeau , as Tom Driscoll, the son, whose slave blood makes him a virulent character, does his part with a thoroughly wicked air and assurance that makes the matinee girl's .heart go pit-a-pat with fear and trembling. Nina Morris, as Roxy, carries the audience with her in her strong portrayal of the slave mother whose heart yearns and finally breaks over the dastardly conduct of her son. Belle Stoddard, as Patsy, Puddn' head's quaint sister, has a chorm all her own, and with Rowey — Frances Graham Mayo — each are delightful in their truthful representation of this homely, honest phase of country life. The moli ''This week sees the close of the sue' cessful run of that laughable opera, The Idol's Eye. Despite the fact that it has been played for ten consecutive weeks, it did not seem to diminish in popularity this, the last week; in fact, there was a rush for seats all week, especially on Tuesday evening, when the 75th performance was given. Appropriate souvenirs were given out in honor of the long run of the piece. Manager Leahy is to be congratulated upon having such a competent corps of performers, especially such artists as Hartman, Wheelan, Lichter, Graham, Myers, Greene and Schuster. The Alcazar ""The usual appreciative audience 1 greeted the Alcazar Stock Company at their opening performance of Diplomacy, Monday night. There is an atmosphere of satisfaction pervading this theatre which causes every effort of the management to give the theater's patrons pleasure. Diplomacy carries with it memories which excite comparison and it is not perhaps for me to say whether the rendition of the drama by the Alcazar Company suffers by comparison or not let it suffice to say that people who attend this theatre excuse deficiencies in the actors, so apparently and so kindly that they almost seem to ex pect them and to enjoy them. Some of the performers at this first production had hardly a speaking acquaintance with their parts, yet the evening passed pleasantly and doubtless by the time a change of bill is prepared they will have become familiar with them. Characterizing nobility does not ordinarily fit stock companies — their personality — which is really what they are loved for — is forgotten in an effort to personify greatness — which really is not so great after all. Ernest Hasting gave a forceful and intelligent characterization as Julian Beauclerc and Mary Hampton impersonated Zieka. Howard Scott as the Baron carries the role with becoming dignity, while Miss Blaney is very fascinating as Dora. Marie Howe forgot her natural spontaneous good humor in her endeavor to interpret the bearing of the Marquise. The play was well staged and some of the gowns prepared for the occasion displayed more than usual good taste. Next week A. M. Palmer's success, Aunt Jack, will be given — and I understand an elaborate production of Henry Sinkiewitz's Quo Vadis is in preparation. The Mechanics' Institute has awarded diploma for superior work to Mr. Louis Thors, Photographer, 826 Market St. Grand Opera House A bout as perfect a production of Offenbach's comic opera, The Grand Duchess, as one could ever hope to see, has been given this week at the Grand Opera House. The attendance hasbeengood. Of course, Edith Mason was the Grand Duchess, and a pretty picture she made. She received several encores for well rendered solos. Hattie Belle Ladd, was the demure "little" Wanda and she improved her opportunity to look very charming and to do some good acting. But Bessie Fairbairn was the surprise. She was the Prince — with skin tight knickerbockers, and of course she made a stunning picture. Thomas Persse was Fritz, a juvenile role that greatly becomes him. William Wolff was the bluff old character, General Boum; Wooley was Puck; Bonville Baron Grog, and Winfred Goff, with his funny makeup, was Nepomuc, a part that admits of no singing and very little dialogue. Ethel Strachan and Olive Vail were Iza and Olga. A notable feature of the production were the costumes and the staging. The chorus was particularly good. Nezu cAlhamhra """This week we have had another * version of The Three Musketeers, and we liked it — and so have large audiences. From the East and South stories have floated in from actors and managers, who have invariably agreed upon the merit of Harry Glazier and the supporting company. Mr. Glazier, who assumes the role made familiar to us by the gifted younger Salvini, does it well and possesses the abundant fire and enthusiasm, the nervous intensity and the intelligence that must be found in the actor who portrays the character of the dashing, fearless young Gascon, D'Artagnan. George Denton, as Captain of the Musketeers, was a strong figure in the cast. Blanche Stoddard was Anne of Austria, and she proved a good actress and a good looking woman. Vail de Vernon really lived up to the good looks that such a name inspired, and is an unusually handsome woman, besides being more than a good actress — being simply a perfect Miladi, showing the possession of great artistic ability and exhibiting through all her scenes great powers of facial expression and suppression, and making an unqualified hit. Constance, the Queen's waiting maid, was very discreetly played by Maud Durand, who was just a trifle too mature for the part as Dumas wrote it. Strong characterizations were enacted by The Three Musketeers — Laurence Underwood, Thomas Findley aud L. C. Ingraham. Messrs. Underwood, as Athos, and Thomas Findley, as Porthos, being especially good in their portrayals. The scenery was effective and the costuming correct, and Messrs. Stair and Nicolai have a show that ought to do a big business on this Coast. The Lenten season had quite an appreciable effect on the theatres, though not so much so as in former years. The managers seem to be losing fear of the season. FISCHER'S NEW CONCERT HOUSE 122-124 O'Farrell Street E. A. FISCHER, Prop. GEORGE MOOSER, Mgr. The Handsomest Music Hall In America. Hundreds Turned Away Nightly A Quartette of Celebrities from Lambardi Opera Co. — Jose Badarocco, Tenor; Mnie. Bard ucCi Soprano; I.ya Pollettini, Contralto; Antonio Vargas, Barytoi;e, in Fourth Act from 11 Trovatore. Hinrichs' Challenge Orchestra. Admission lOcenls. Strictly First-Class. Cafe Unsurpassed.