San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW July i < io8 ! Correspondence Philadelphia, July IS. — Many clever features lielpeil to support an excellent bill at Keith's this week, containing more new acts than any this summer. Among them was Chums, the $l.ooo prize play recently purchased from Charles Frohman. This amusing farce comedy as presented by Eva Taylor and company, is really a relief from the general run of vaudeville sketches, and it was received with hearty approval. A new name on Keith's program was that of May llirkey, the Greater Girl, who made her first appearance In this city. Dixon and Anger offered a remarkably funny skit, (me of the prettiest acts that has been seen at Keith's for a long time was that presented by the three Constantino Sisters, who made a tremendous hit with Fritzi SohetT company. Their dancing was artistic and graceful, full of rhythm and Bprightliness. The Orpheum players gave a distinctly creditable performance last evening to its patrons at the Chestnut Street Theatre, by presenting a humorous comedy in three acts, entitled A Friend of the Family. Hope Latham had the leading feminine role, ably assisted by Albert Phillips. Miss hatliittn made her first appearance with the Orpheum players in this comedy and it might be said Mr. Lafferty. the business manager, has made a great find and displayed excellent judgment when he secure I Miss Latham to play in Philadelphia, and we hope to see her tilling one of the leading roles in the fall. Miss Latham possesses magnetism, charm, personality and unusual ability. She has learned through experience, the value of a more careful enunciation and of a larger tone. It pavs the hearer to hang on her every word for she gives a world of meaning to a word of expression. Miss l.atham will be remembered for her work with John Drew in Mv Wife, and His House in Order. In run; she toured the country at the head of an excellent company in The Woman in the Case. She lias been specially engaged to plav the leading role in Sapho. which will bp presented by the Orpheum players July •7. Albert Phillips left nothing undone to make his part what it should be in the role of Bartley Swift. Hugh Cameron must be mentioned among the splendid cast for his tine characterization of Count 1 >e Brissac Ada Boshell did very well as Auntie. Lottie Briscoe and Joseph Creaghan shared honors The rest of the company gave capital support. CALVIN M. FRANKLIN. Salt Lake City, July IS.— The hot spell linds more activity in Salt Lake City theatrical circles than for many years past. Although the Salt Lake Theatre, pioneer in amusements, is closed for the summer, there are no end of projects, several of large magnitude, for the new year. First among these is the Auerbach Theatre, which occupies a space of 100 feet by ISO feet on Third South street, between Main and State streets, and which is being erecte I by the Auerbach estate from plans of E. \\". Hoiight. m. architect, of Seattle. The new theatre will be completed by November 1 and will seat 1.700. Another project which is estimated a lively proposition, is that of the alliance between Samuel Newhouse and Martin Beck of the vaudeville circuit, by which a new vaudeville will be erected oil South State street in the middle of the mammoth buildings now being erected by Mr. Newhouse. In case this is carried out, the old Orpheum building will be used for a comic opera house on the lines of the Princess of Kan Francisco. The various summer houses are running through the hot weather and raking in a goodly harvest of dimes. Mr. Beck has announced that the Orpheum theatre will be thrown open on Sundav nights, which is a great disappointment to most of the Salt Lake people, since this and the Salt Lake Theatre are the only houses that have remained dark on Sundays. The Orpheum stock company will close the season with The Greatest of These. 20-25, after a very successful engagement. The Grand and Lyric theatres still remain open with the motion pictures. Arthur Shepherd, who has just resigned the leadership of the Salt Lake Symphony orchestra and also of the Salt Lake Theatre orchestra, leaves on the 20th to seek his fortune in Boston. Mass. GLEN SMYTH. Phoenix, Ariz., July 22.— The Raymond company, whic h opened at Eastlake Park Monday night. July 20. came here from Bakerstield. where it recently closed a very successful twelve weeks' engagement. The head of the Raymond company is Raymond W'hitaker. the leading lady being Miss Pitt. Around them are assembled thirteen other stage people of experience and talent. The company also carries a property man and a scenic artist who is recognized as a capable man in his business. The opening bill was The Christian. It is always a little interesting to know Who's Who. To that end Mr. Whicaker was interrogated a little about his past. Mr. Whitaker was born in Mare Island navy yard. California, thirty vears ago. his "'allier being in the government employ. California was bis home until about ten vears ago when he went from San Francisco to New York with Frederick Ward. He has played with Blanche Walsh and was for a long time with William A. Gradv. and was also leading man for Henrietta Crosman. Miss Pitt was horn in England, coming to this country when five years old. and from that distinguished family that traces its lineage back to William the Conqueror, and is proud to boast the notable Englishman, Wa'lliam Pitt, as of the same stock. She is the daughter of Harry M. Pitt, for many years the stage director of the Boston Museum, and who first introduced the original Lord Fauntleroy in this country as well as Shenandoah and other notable plays. Miss Pitt's mother, Fannie Addison Pitt, is now under a life contract with Ch rales Frohman and is probably one of the best character artists in New York. Which city she seldom leaves. A pleasing incident of local interest is the fact that as a little girl she played her first part in Boston and spoke her first lines in response to the lines of Jap Wbeelock. of the same company. Jap Wheelock, as he is known in the East, is Joe Wheelock of this city, a good fellow, well liked by all who know him and an actor of well known talent. The supporting members of the Raymond company are Messrs. Robt. McKim. Richard McDowell. Benjamin Reynolds. Fiddes M. Page. Adrian Von Plank. Sydney Br<*vvning. Harry Hollingsworth. Earl Hawkins and Misses Beular Benton, Austa Pierce, Ethel Thornton. Nita Thompson and Mrs. M. Pierce. Ed Clarkis the scenic artist. "E." San Jose, July 15. — Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan opened the week at the Jose Theatre Monday evening and from the beginning of the play until the final fall of the curtain the large audience present listened with almost breathless interest to this "story of a good woman." as the author has desc ribed it. For the Hist time since assuming her San Jose engagement Laura Hudson is seen in an emotional role, for which she is well fitted. She reads most effectively and well understands the value of pauses. Miss Hudson is already the most popular leading woman this theatre has had. Margaret Nugent played Mrs. Erlynne in a highly satisfactory manner, being especially good in scenes calling for sympatheticacting. The role of Lord Windermere was well handled by Charles Gunn. who gave to the part decided vigor and manliness. Robert Adams played Darlington in his usually graceful and effective manner. Catherine Currier's Duchess was a comedy hit, while Griffith VVray. Howard Nugent. William Brewer and others of the cast were excellent in their respective roles. Next week Herbert Bashford's comedy. Running for Mayor, will be the bill. Next Wednesday Henry Miller will appear at the Garden Theatre under the direction of the Great Western Theatrical Circuit, who have secured time in this theatre for shows they book. Kolb and Dill will be seen here soon tor two nights. At the Empire this week Both well Browne, assisted by Mr. Young and Mvrtle Gould, in The Gibson Widow; Bell Trio, singers; Three Juggling Bannons. expert club manipulators; Shorty and Lillian DeWitt. comedians, and Elmer, comedv juggler. San Jose, July 22. — The Garden Theatre: Henry Miller, under the management of Great Western Theatrical Circuit, played here last night in The Great Divide to a packed house. The house was sold out at 5 p. m. and a great many people from small towns nearby had to stand. Coining — Kolb and Dill, July 25-26. The Empire: This week Manager Carlson is putting on one of the strongest shows that has ever been here. The Marcello Troupe, comedybar act. are the beadliners. Others on the bill are: Delia Stacey: Yalto Duo; Delaphone; Mav and Lillie Burns; and Esco Ives. Coming — The Empire Road Show. Business fair. The Jose stock company is seen in Herbert Bashford's comedy. Running for Governor. This will be Charley Gunn's last week here as leading man. Business good. Unique Theatre: This theatre is still running moving pictures, but soon will open with a slock company. The action of Robert Barton, manager of the Victory Theatre in this city, against William A. Brady, for damages resulting from the non-performance by one of Brady s attractions at the Victory Theatre several months ago. was decided for the plaintiff bv Justice Brown Wednesday morning. The amount of the judgment is $131. The Wilton Lackave company, under the management of Brady, was playing at the Victory Theatre, and some dispute arose as to a settlement of the accounts at the box office, starting in the number of passes issued, which resulted in Lackaye refusing to allow the performance to proceed. The audience was dismissed after a speech by Mr. Lackaye. , ,„, Monterey, July 21.— The T. A. Work I heat re bad Nance O'Neil in Magda. July loth. Miss O'Neil's acting in this play was all that could be desired. The supporting company was in every way most worthy. McKee Rankin. who dominated Colonel Schwartze. received much favorable comment Among others of the company who earned pleasa it remark were Neva West, Georgie Woodthorpe. Norval McGregor, Monroe Salisbury, F. C. Hagen and Louis Thompson. On Wednesday of this week. The Great Divide and Henry Miller, who so successfully presents this wonderfully picturesque plav. was the attrac tion at Hie T A. Work Theatre, and the cozy playhouse was packed. Kolb and Dill will be seen July 29th. J. E. UNDERWOOD. Sacramento, July 23. — A full house saw Henry Miller in The Great Divide at the Cluni'e 20. Seats are rapidly selling for the coming of Margaret Illington to the Clunie in The Thief. 24-25. Grand Theatre, week of July 20: Hugh Lloyd, the worldfamed bounding rope artist; Ann Hamilton 6 Co in Beggars, a Mexican study; Leo and Chapman in Wanted, a Donkey; Mr. and Mrs. Lewis in The Late Mr. Wildcats; Harry Pilcer. singing and dancing comedian " Oscar Loraine. Protean violinist. Tacoma, Wash., July IS. — The Star Theatre will re-open tomorrow for a brief season in stock, when the Henry McRae players will offer the Heir to the Hoorah. made famous by Guv Bates Post. The company is heated by Mr. McRae and Margaret Oswald and includes some exceptionally clever people Following this play the company will probably produce The Spoilers. Dr. Mice Smith of this c ity, who wrote I he Strength of the Weak for Miss Florence Roberts, has written a new play entitled The Renunciation, and which had its hist production on any stage at the Savoy Theatre during the past week. The play was staged by Allvn Lewis and capably put on l,y the ' Huntington players. Although abounding in medical parlance and somewhat of a problem play, it did not prove dull to the large audience. To offset the heaviness of the plot any number of really witty lines are judiciously interspersed and relieve what might otherwise be dry passages. The story of The Renunc iation has to do with two' intimate friends in love with the same woman. One of the men. Douglas Kenvon. marries her. They sail to Europe on their wedding journey, and are in a shipwreck when homeward bound. Thinking her husband is lost the wife comes to his friend. Dr. Charles Landon. for treatment for a form of epilepsy resultant from a blow from a spar when the ship was sinking. She loses her Identity and imagines she is engaged to Dr. Landon, who, interested in her case and believing her husband dead, marries her. Then comes the customary return of the husband and the ensuing complications — the decision of the wife to remain with her second husband and the suicide of Kenyon. who overheard his wife's declaration" of love for his friend. The climax comes in the third act. when Kenyon accuses his best friend of alienating his wife's affections, of taking advantage of her affliction, of abusing sacred friendship and of a lot of other things too numerous to mention. It was well acted as the generous applause testified. E. Loring Kelly as Dr. Landon handled the role well and Laura Heimlich did the ingenue extremely well. William Diet, Lillian Griffith and Pearl Dykeman were suitably cast. About 500 people gathered at the ball park Friday morning to witness a ball game between the actors appearing this week at the Pantages and Grand theatres. Will Rogers, who is appearing in his lariat and roping act at the Grand, put up a great game at first, and Phil Ott proved to be a real pitcher. The honors for the Pantages team were carried off by Electro. Most of the actors were shy on base running, but made up for this shortage in other ways. The final score was 15 to S in favor of the Grand players. H. A. Sullivan, stage manager at the Grand, has gone East as a delegate to the National Convention of the T. M. A. Attractions have been few at the Tacoma in the past few weeks, two amusing comedies offered by May Robson and Willie Collier, both of which scored heavily. Robert Mantell will appear next Monday in Hamlet and the following night in The Merchant of Venice. Following this comes the ever popular Pollards, who open 22 for five nights in repertoire, producing The Belle of New York. Floradora. The Runaway Girl and The Toy Maker. Margaret Illington comes July 31 and August 1 in The Thief. Business is excellent at the vaudeville houses in spite of the hot weather, as both the Grand and Pantages are offering more and better feature acts all the time. Virilmi and Dunlap offered a clean, snappy little sketch and made a distinct hit. and The Ten Dark Knights delighted everyone with their fun and sweet music. Electro, with his elec trical demonstrations, has been a splendid drawing card as lias the Colonial Septette, who proved to be clever above the ordinary in their diversified musical acts. The stage settings were in excellent taste and very pretentious. At the Grand Will Rogers, assisted by Buck lieKee and Teddy, a clever pony, made a big 111 t with hie lariat work. The novelty of the act made it go as well as its cleverness. Fred Morton entertained with his trick harmonica playing and clever stunt with a piece of paper. For the coming week the Grand features the Zazell and Vernon company of five people, and Leo Filler, the violinist, said to be greater than Rinaldo. J. C. Wright and company in a comic sketch, Borgos and Claro, gymnasts, Nellie Burt, comedienne, and Kzies and Webb. A. H. Spokane, Jul) 12. — Lena Rivers, as played by the Jessie Shirley company at the Auditorium the week of July 5, proved a most popular bill, capacity houses ruling throughout the entire run. In the title role Ethel Von Waldron delighted her audiences by the beauty and grace of her performance. Laura Adams gave a particularly sympathetic interpretation of Granny Nichols, and Anna Cleveland played the spiteful and jealous Carrie with refreshing originality. Allen J. Holuber was seen as Durward Belmont, and Jack Amory appeared in a more serious role than usual as Harry Graham. Robert Siddell did c lever work in the character comedy part of Joel Slocum, and owen Williamson played John Livingston acceptably. Other popular members of the company were good In slighter roles. Next week Miss Shirley will return to the cast plaving the title part in the farce comedy. A Broadway Favorite. In spite of the heat of the last week all the theatres played to full houses, the Washington having a clever bill, featuring a sketch. The Elopement, by the Zazell and Vernon Pantomime company. Other numbers were Cadieux. hounding wire artist: The Manuel Remain Minstrel company; Eleanor Blanchard, comedienne; LindBtrom and Anderson in a comedy acrobatic turn; and Elsie Ridgely and company in a military sketch. The Pantages offered Nagel and" Adams, humorists; The Great Powell and company, illusionist and conjuror: Lee Morrison, supported by Lillian Rhodes and Robert Burton, in a sketch. Mr. Bunchlight ■ and Geo. Dav. black face mnnologist. Techoffs performing cats were featured. Wm. 1 >. Gilson sang the illustrated song. I'm Waiting for the Summer Time and You. and the Pantasc-ope showed Unfortunate Pickpockets. Spokane, July 19. — The Jessie Shirley company in the farce. A Broadway Favorite, drew crowded houses at the Auditorium the week of July 12. Doubtless the feature of the performance in some measure responsible for the S. R. O. sign, was the first appearance in Spokane of the new Directolre gown, which was worn by Miss Shirlev in the first act. The opinion of eight immense audiences was decidedly favorable to the much-talked-of garment, the general verdict being that, upon one woman, at least, it was a most attractive and graceful costume. The play was sufficiently amusing, and afforded congenial redes for popular members of the company. Aside from the attraction of her gown. Miss Shirley as the vaudeville star had a part of sparkling vivacity and bubbling gayetv. which she played with the inimitable lightness and delicacy characteristic of all her work as a comedienne. Frank McQuarrie was excellent as the excitable Frenchman in female costume. Allen Holuber as Barnum Spicer wandered through the innumerable complications of the plot, assisting them generously, while Robert Siddell and Ethel Von Waldron. as a husband by accident and his accidental wife. met with troubles sufficient to effective) warn the general public from the final J of matrimony. Laura Adams was .lev* as the boarding-house mistress, and Aniii Cleveland gave another instance of her verl satility. making the slight part of UricjH one of the comedy creations of the playl Jac k Amory was at his best as Rnniulmi Starr, and culminated the success of hit week's performance by appearing Saturday evening in trousers elaborately and beau, tifully fashioned after the Direc toire st^H The popular come lian was given an ovatiotl sec, aid only to thai accorded Miss Shirley and her "sheath'' gown. Howard Fosteil had an Irish role, and Byron Loucks peered briefly as a detective. Next weel the Shirleys will play Tin Empress ant the Soldier. Business still holds goo^H the vaudeville houses. The Pantzer in a comedy acrobatic turn was the featun! of the week at the Washington. Florence Modena and company appeared in a gooci Sketch, Bargain Mad. Other numbers Jules Garrison and company presenting ; travesty called A Modern Roman; Don^H Thompson in a song and dance turn; A^H Robinson, soprano; and James and Prloi in Captain Barnacle's Courtship. Mr. am Mrs. Bob Fi tzsimmons were the drai^H card at the Pantages. appearing in a sketch A Man's a Man for a' That, which servec the noted pugilist as a vehicle for a splendid exhibition of bag punching. While ft majority of the crowd went to sc. the ex champion, Mrs. Fitzsimmons' singing tB| a feature of the act that was highly praised The program at this theatre includecT^B Zanzibar Arabs, acrobats; Ziska and King magicians: the Ferraras, whirlwind dane^H Florence Saunders, soprano, and a new flhr of moving pictures. A popular number wai Wm. D. Gilson singing Sunny old Spokane Illustrated bv local slides. MILDRED GRAHAM. Dates Ahead A Knight for a Day ill II. France)— I Woodstock. 111.. Aug. 2''.: Frceport, z~ . Bel videre, 28; Madison. 29; Winnipeg. I Sept j 3; Grand Forks. 4; Fargo. 5; BillingsJaD Livingston. S: Bozeman, 9; Helena, Bl Great Falls. 11; Anaconda. 12: Butte, 13-11 1 Missoula. 15; Wallace. 16; Spokane, ll^H Walla Walla. 21: N. Yakima. 22; EUensburgl 23; Tacoma. 21-25; Olympla, 26; Seattle,.^H Oct. 3: Victoria. 5; Vancouver. i;-7; West-I minster. S; Bellingliam. ;>; Everett. 1m; Port-I land, 11-13; Salem. II. Eugene. 15; Pliicol 17; San Francisco, ls-24. Belasco Stock — Belasco Theatre, Los Angeles. Bishop's Flayers — In stock. Ye Liberty Playhouse, Oakland. Columbia Park Boys' Club — Garherville{ July 25; Westport. 3": Fort Bragg. Angus. 1-3; Mendocino City. I; Caspar. 5; Creen-j wood. 6; Albion. 7; Point Arena. 8. i Blleford Co. — Reno, last week: Santl Rosa. Aug. 3. week. French Stock Company (Dick French | mgr.) — Star Theatre, Tacoma, indefinite, ^ Grace George. — (Wm. A. Brady. ) — Chi-! cago. indefinite. Isle of Spice ill II F razee. — T.'lelo.l Ohio. Aug. 2-8; Racine. Wis.. ; Rochester,! Minn.. 10; Faribault. 11: St. Cloud. 11:1 Winnipeg. 13-15; Grand Forks. 17. Fargoi is. Valley City. I :• : Jamestown. 2"; Bls-1 marek. 21: Dic kinson. Glendive. SI Miles City. 24; Billings. 25; Livingston, -B| Bozeman. 27: Helena. 2S: Great Falls, 29 Butte. 30-31; Missoula. Sept. 1; Wallace,™ Lewiston. 3; Moscow. I: Colfax, 5; SpokaneJ 6-7; Walla Walla. S; N. Yakima, !t; Ellens-* burg. 10: Olvmpia, 11: South Bend. 12;| Seattle, 13-19; Tacoma. 20-21: Victoria, 22:1 Vanc ouver, 23-2 1; Westminster. 25; Bellingliam, 26; Everett. 27; Aberdeen. 28: Ho-, quiam, 29; Centralia. 30; South Bend. Oct.] 1; Portland, 4-10. Jas. J. Corbett in Facing the Music i H. II Frazeel — Rochester. Minn.. Aug. 29; BL Paul. 30-Sept. 5; Minneapolis. 0-12; Bibbing.; 12 W Superior, 14; Two Harbors, 15; Du-| luth, lti-17; Red Wing. IS; Stillwater, IS:, St. Cloud. 20; Winnipeg. 21-23: Grand PorkM ■'4 Fargo. 25; Jamestown. 26: Bismarck. 28; Dickinson. 29: Miles City. 3o; Billings, Oct. 1; Livingston. 2; Bozeman, 3; Butte. 4 6; Great Falls, 6; Helena. 7; Missoula. K Wallace. 9; Spokane. 10; Walla Walla. L. N. Yakima, 13; Ellensburg. 14; Olympla. 15; Aberdeen, Hi; Hoiiuiam. 17; Tacoma. IV 19; Victoria, 20: Vancouver. 21-22; Bellingliam. 23; Everett. 2 1; Seattle. 25-31; Port-] land. Nov. 1-7. _ Jessie Shirley Co. — In stock. Spokane. Kolb & Dill.— San Jose-. 25-26: Watsonville. 29; Santa Cruz, 2S; Monterey, W.| Santa Barbara. Aug. 1. | lee Willard — fort Angeles. July .1, an merlon. 26; olvmpia. 27; Sbelton, 28; fc.lma.| 29; Moiitesano. 30; Hoquiam. 31; Aberdeen., Aug. 1; Centralia. 3. Morosco Stock — Burbank Theatre, Loi A SANFRANCISCO OFEBA CO.-(FBAK W. HEALV, Mgr.)— Seattle, Wash., April 27, 17 weeks. _ _ -„_ The District Leader. — (Frank J. Sardam, mgr.) — Indefinite. The Boyal Chef HI. H. Frazee) -Manchester. Iowa. Aug. 15; Des Moines. 16-1. • Eldora. is: Webster City. 19; Algona. Emmetsburg. 21; Spencer . 22; *>>°«* ™ • 23; Watertown. 24; Aberdeen. 2?. Huron. 26; Mitchell. 27: Yankton. 28: 29 Omaha. 30-31; Norfolk. Sept. 1. OnW«| Island. 2; Hastings. 3: Kearney. 4. Cne> enne, 5; Denver. 6-12; Lea.lv. 1 e. 13. Gran-l Junction. 11; Ogd.-n. I..; Pocatello 1 d> B Wise 17: Lagrande. is; Pendleton. 19; '''•■t'an^ 2»-2B; Seattle. 27-Oc-t. 3; 'I 'acoma 4 8a em 5 Eugene. 6: Medtord. ,: Ashland. 8. Uiw< I.! Sacramento, 10: San Francisco, Oakland, 18. „ , _ . n»,.r» The Thief (Charles Frohman)— Sacra ment... 2 1-2.-.: Portland. 27-3..;. 1...'^ Ana 1 Seattle 2-S; Victoria. ,Aouver 1 1-1% Bellingliam, 13; Everett^ North Yakima. 1 5: Spokane. 17-18. Hjle»( 19; Anaconda, 20; Butte, 21; Billings. D mS'mu to Blame (Jed Carlton mig)Sandwlch, Ontario. Canada, until £«■ »; Zlnn's Musical Comedy Co.— Butte, definite. J