San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

42 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW August i, 1908. Terkelson \ Henry. Foto Alice Condon l >ne of the charming little artistes in the player ranks of the West is Alice Condon, who is one of the favorite members of the Central Theatre company. .Miss Condon takes high rank as an ingenue and is hlessed w ith that rarity that the critics delight to call "a tear in the voice." Her work is always painstaking and intelligent and given an added value by a most magnetic, winsome personality. .Miss Condon has had a thorough experience and her her services are always in demand. Donald Bowles Enthuses "You know. 1 have been away from dear old Frisco for two years, so you must be tolerant with me if I embrace my good friend Farrell's hospitality and use the columns of the best dramatic paper west of New York to enthuse." (Allow us a moment for a blush.) "First, let me enthuse over this wonderful new Aladdin city, built up in a night, as it were. I came here for a vacation, but bless you, they won't let you vacation here. They are far too busy for vacationing. I withstood all offers until I unfortunately ran across my old friend, Walter lloff Seeley. who insisted, demanded and finally commanded that I cease living a life of idleness and join him in booming the new Valencia Theatre. I demurred until he introduced me to J. Charles Green, the promoter and financier of half a dozen of our biggest theatrical enterprises and who controls practically every billboard on the Pacific Coast. Mr. Green is the most aggressive man it has ever been my sad fortune to meet. He looked at me with a pair of penetrating eyes equalled only by George L. Baker of Portland fame, and said, "Bowles, get to work." I wilted, so now three cheers for the new steel and concrete fireproof Valencia Theatre, with its richly carpeted floors, leathercushioned chairs and a velvet drop curtain, the latter costing no less than $2,000. All this is interesting in a general way to the actors, but what vitally interests him? "First. Walter Hoff Seeley will interest him as no man has before. The direct antithesis of Mr. Green, a great big personality with a mild blue eye and a voice that will soothe every nervous leading woman's tantrums. The first thing Mr. Seeley says to me after I have engaged an actor is, 'Show him or her our new dressing-rooms.' Little does he guess that I have already shown them, knowing it will mean a difference of five or ten dollars a week in our favor. I'll show them to you. "The moment we pass through the iron door at the back of the stage, our feet touch a soft, rich brown carpet— yes, we have a color scheme in our dressing-rooms. Did you ever hear of such a thing in dressingrooms before ? I never did. We chose brown, because this, shading into a light amber tint for the walls, we expect will give the best light for making up. Well, we are now in the green room, or with us a brown room. On our right is the full-length French plate mirror, .so we may feel sure we are quite right from top to toe before venturing before our admiring friends. Oh, joy! for the juvenile man can now be positive his trousers are not 'high water.' Running along the wall on our left are comfortable settees. The leading woman's room is directly Opposite. She has a full-length mirror built in her closet door. Yes. she has a real genuine dust-proof closet. Every dressing-room in the theatre has a large window, opening not on a court, but to the bright sunshine. Of course, the make-up mirror is surrounded by electric lights. Lots of good managers do that, but how many managers are willing to payr $25 apiece for box-couches so that every lady may have one in her dressing-room? Ours does. Mind you. this isn't a Donald Bowles scheme, either. This is a Green scheme, he of the hard, penetrating eye. I said, 'Mr. Green, don't you think you are spending a great deal of money on our actors?' 'Bowles, I don't give a d how much money I spend if I get the returns.. If I treat them extra well, I expect an extra good quality of acting." Then another one straight from the shoulder. 'You mind your own business. Bowles, and get me the best stock company that has ever played in San Francisco.' "I won't tell you who the actors are now, but Sedley Brown is to be our stage director. Nuf ced ! "What's that, Friend Farrell?" "You've got other things to print in your paper besides my enthusiasm about the Valencia Theatre." "All right, I'll ring off — one last word. We don't have a janitor or scrub woman to take care of our dressingrooms. We have a matron, if you please, who will put in a pin or take a stitch here and there for those whom she loves. "That's all, thank you." Hakry Bi:ll, press agent for the Mason Opera House, Los Angeles, leaves today for Chicago, on the lookout for a good job in the land where you melt to a frazzle in the summer and freeze to standstill in the winter. Harrv always was adventurous. Terkelsmi ft Henn Benedict McQarrie I fere is, to our mind, the most versatile young fellow in the W estern theatrical horizon. He can play, and play well, straight parts, comedy parts, heavies or leads, and play each with distinctive features. His voice is most pleasing and his reading is intelligent and convincing. For two years Aft McQuarrie has been a valued member of the Central Theatre Stock Company Oliver Morosco Los Angeles harbors the champion Western theatrical man of activity and accomplishment. He bears the name of ( Miver Morosco, but his intimates call him "Ollie." lie went down to Los Angeles from this city, after he had already built a theatre in San Jose — the Auditorium — and took hold of a morgue — The Burbank — and speedily turned it into a mint. Finding things going along smoothly in the managerial line, he took a try at play writing and in collaboration with Harry Cottrell wrote those wonderful successes. The Judge and the Jury and The Half-Breed, and A Social Pilot in collaboration with Dr. Bachman. All these plays have had runs of three weeks or more and have been great money-makers. Still finding time after building a house or two and becoming an adept in the automobile habit. Mr. Morosco called into his private office his half-brother. Joseph Montrose, and they reeled off Maquita, My Yankee Sailor Boy and one or two other songs that have sold into the hundreds of thousands. In addition to this he has had built for him the new Hamburger Theatre in Los Angeles and he has acquired the new Garrick Theatre in San Diego on a long lease and we understand a new play is in contemplation. Monterey, July 29. — Kolb and I>ill pre Bente I A lonesome Town in the T. Work Theatre tonight. The bevy of summer girls together with stage setting* wen su pleasing that expressions of delight cnuld lie heard nil all siiles of the house. The little "Widow" won the ha of not a few. The Monterey Dramatic c'luh will present Arabian Nights at the T. A. Work Theatre on the evening Of Tuesday. August 5. The east is all amateur but when under the direction of Mrs. J..R Dobbins cannot fail to please. The next attraction will be the Redmond stock com pany, who will open in the Work Theatre on August 10 and continue for one week. Following the above will be May Robson and company. .1 i:. INDKRWOOD San Jo«e, July — Kmpire Theatre Izetta Jewell In the new Dlrectolre gown Ik the headliner at this house this week, to packed houses. Others on the bill are Potter-Hartwell Trio; Virden and Dunlap the Diazs; Glenroy and llunnell; and Esc" Ives. Next week. The Ten Dark Knights Jose Theatre: The Jose stock company are plaving to fair business this week In David Garrick. Next: The Doll's House Garden Theatre: Kolb and Dill played tw< nights in Lonesome Town to ordinary business. The Victory Theatre: The Kd Be<J mond company will re-open this house under the management of F. A. Glesea. TnRedmond company will change their bli nightly, with two matinees, Saturdays am Sundays. Coming. Nance O'Neil.