San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

i6 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW November 13, 1909 Mme. Bianchi, Howard and Howard and George Bloomquest Big Hits In Oakland In Old Kentucky opened at the Macdonough, 8. to a capacity house and has been playing to big business ever since. The story is too old to bear repetition, suffice it is to say that it has just as much charm as of yore, and the company is fully adequate to meet all requirements. The Talk of New York, 14; The Traveling Salesman, 15-17; The Three Twins, 25-27, return engagement. The first Western production of The Traitor was given at The Liberty 8, and although Bishop s players did everything in their power to make the play a success it did not seem to appeal very strongly to our theatre goers. There is not enough action to the play, which seemed to be decidedly slow at various stages. The members of the company gave a good account of themselves. The portrayal of John Graham, the ex-chief of the clan, by Sidney Ayres was a fine piece of work and won the enthusiastic approval of the audience. Robert Harrison as his rival had a clear conception of the role and acted well. Henry Shumer made an animated mountaineer and looked well the part. George Webster made a very acceptable judge, and George Friend as the Hon. Beverly Johnson was equally as good. A couple of fine negro characters were portrayed by William Wobbert, and Mina Gleason Florence Oakley was very pleasing in the leading feminine role. Good performances were given by Robert Lawlor, Walter Whipple, George Rand, Andrew Bennison. Clarence Elmer, Edith Lyle and Claribel Becker. Business just now is in a very healthy state, and a steady increase in attendance is very noticeable. The Rose of the Rancho will follow. At the Orpheum crowded houses still prevail, and this week's programme seems to meet with popular approval. Howard and Howard and Mme. Bianchi divide the honors, closely followed by Hal Godfrey & Co., Keno Walsh and Melrose, General Edward La Vine. Martinette and Sylvester, Ballereni's canine tumblers and Geo. Bloomquest & Co. Judging from the applause this week's bill at the Bell is more than giving satisfaction, and the house is well filled at every performance. The programme consists of Harris and Robinson, Spaulding and Dupee, Helen Beresford & Co., Josephine Ainsley, George and Bella Stelling. The new innovation of moving pictures is making an immense hit at the Broadway, and Manager Smith is more than satisfied at the new turn of affairs. Sunday, 21, will mark the final appearance of Miss Oakley at The Liberty and a large demonstration is already planned as a compliment to the popular leading lady. Mrs. Pheby Shaddock, mother of Mrs. W. J. Elleford, passed away the 5th at the ripe old age of 79. She was well known all over the city for her kind benevolence and many acts of charity. Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall will follow Brown of Harvard at The Liberty, and incidentally will be the medium of introducing Bishop's new leading lady to the public. Manager Jackson reports a large advance sale for the Jomelli concert. The Women of Woodcraft will have a benefit at The Liberty 17, and the Taft and Pennoyer Mutual Aid Society 24. LOUIS SCHEELINE. Billie Burke Is Not to Marry Young College Boy PORTLAND, Or., Nov. 4.— Rumors of a whirlwind romance and a prospective speedy wedding were wafted into Portland to-day with the simultaneous arrival of Leo B. Westcott, a student at Berkeley, and a son of Mrs. Robert J. Hancock, reputed Oakland millionairess, and Miss Billie Burke, the actress. News had preceded the young people of their simultaneous departure from San Francisco. It had also been stated in messages from various inquirers at Berkeley that young Westcott was so violently wooing Miss Burke that he had deserted his studies to follow her north. Miss Burke was found this evening staying at the Portland Hotel. Mr. Westcott was found there also. "Is it true you are engaged to marry Mr. Westcott" Miss Burke was asked. "I must decline to be interviewed on that subject," the actress replied, and she stuck to it. "Yes," she finally vouchsafed to another question. "Mr. Westcott is a good friend of mine." "Will you marry Miss Burke soon, as rumor has reported" was queried of Mr. Westcott. "I have nothing to say, was all Mr. Westcott would reply, except to add : "I have come here on a pleasure trip." Persons who were on the same train declare that Mr. Westcott and Miss Burke were much together on the trip from San Francisco, and that the young student's very devoted attentions seemed to be far from displeasing to their recipient. BERKELEY, Nov. 8.— That he was a victim of circumstances and the jest of a friend in San Francisco was the statement made to-night by Leo Westcott, freshman student of the university whose reported engagements hist to Billie Burke, the dainty actr-FS, and later to her niece, Miss Bartlett, attracted much attention. Westcott returned from the north with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Hancock of San Francisco. "A friend in S.nrj Francisco, for reasons best known to himself, took advantage of the friendship I have for Miss Burke at d her niece and my trip north to Portland on business to weave a yarn about my engagement, first to Miss Burke and then to Miss Bartlett. The reported engagements are absurd. I have been made the victim of a jest. I intended to stay in Portland, but my parents came there when this rumor started and I came down with them." Persse-Mason Closes The Persse-Mason Opera Company after a disastrous four weeks on the road closed in Santa Cruz October 31. The show had good time, made good everywhere, but was handicapped from the start by miserable advance work and the worst people ever shown "A man can run a store without advertising and he can wink at a girl in the dark — but whats the use. I have the right kind of merchandise and I want you to know it. The choicest collection of Suits and Overcoats in this great city at twenty-five and thirty dollars. Respectfully yours, NO. 57 POWELL ST. Chas. S. Rosener Van Ness Theatre ggggng COHAN AND HARRIS PRESENT Victor Moore as the irresistible and justly celebrated world-famed "KID BURNS" In Geo. M. Cohan's Greatest Musical Plav The Talk of New York with the Original Cast and Chorus and Stupendous Scenic Equipment as played for Four Months at the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York. ahead of a show in the State. They had one black stand that was gotten out by Frances Valentine, and it was a beauty ; but the rest was good for a horse show or citrus fair, but hardly for a comic opera. Mr. Persse is reorganizing and will go out again with Charley Walker ahead. HOWARD NUGENT WRITES— LACOMBE, Ala., Nov. 6.— This company did not close as I wired you it would in Calgary, October 16. Gillard and wife dissolved partnership with O'Connor & Davidson, and O'Connor & Davidson take the company, minus Gillard and wife, to Saskatoon to continual stock at their Lyric Theatre there indefinitely, .we have already played Gaskatoon five weeks, Calgary four weeks, Admonton two weeks. Prince Albert two weeks, here one week each. Business has been fine everywhere. The roster of the company is O'Connor and Davidson, managers and owners Lyric Stock Company, Lyric Theatre, Gaskatoon ; William M. Chapman, Howard Nugent, Wayne Ross, John McAllister, Albert Lowther, William Heater, Beatrice Meade, Margaret Nugent and Florence Heater. We open at Gaskatoon on Monday night, November 8, and everything looks lovely. Understand Gillard and wife are to put in stock at Dominion Theatre, Edmonton, Alta. Best regards to all friends. HOWARD NUGENT. Care of Lyric Theatre, Gaskatoon, Canada. Shortly after the New Year, Wm. A. Brady will send Robert Mantell to this city for an engagement of three weeks, during which time the greatest of living American tragedians will appear in at least half a dozen enormous productions. Among the classics to be staged are King Lear, Richard Third, Julius Caesar, Macbeth and King John. "BIJOU," MINNEAPOLIS, PACKED NIGHTLY LAST WEEK Audience Wildly AS THE SUN "BIJOU" Enthusiastic WENT DOWN Milwaukee, Critics Praise Unanimously By Geo. D. Baker With ESTHA WILLIAMS Wis. This Week Address: ARTHUR C AISTON, Room 304, 1505 Broadway, New York City. Tel. 941 Bryant.