MINGLED thoughts of turbulence and ;
luxury are Jengendered by the
bunches of theatrical news that
come from Xew York. The activity of
the Spring season has produced several
plays that seem to have lasting qualities,
and we may see them anon. ' Among the
most recent events tliat loom up In spe
cial prominence is the spectacular way In
which Richard Mansfield, "in repertoire,
proved good enough a star to Induce New
York to pay $77,000 to see him-in twenty
nine performances, In which he acted
nine great roles. This ponderous figure
in the artistic firmament Is repeating a
similar success in Cincinnati and St.
Louis and will tackle Chicago next wcelc
"Ye may take Mansfield with a grain of
ealt, but we take him Just the same.
ANOTHER astounding result to chron
icle Is the fact that David Belasco
has lost his suit against Klaw & Brlanger
in the famous three-cornered Jltlgatlon,
involving Joseph Brooks also. There has
been enough acrimony and spleen dis
played in the notorious legal melee to
sink a ship, to soy nothing of the repu
tations of a horde of lesser lights in the
theatrical world. Judge Fitzgerald, of the
New York Supreme Court, finds against
David Belasco and appoints a receiver to
render an accounting. The case involves
respective rights to the use of about 5100.
000, which Stage Magician Belasco re
ceived, according to the court's con
clusions, and which Klaw & Brlanger
think they should have had a hand In.
"Whether this blow will interfere with
the normal development of Mr. Belasco's
wonderful surprises that he periodically
springs ,on the theatrical world is a prob
lem. If you listen to the great booking
agents they are , phllan.tljroplsts and the
mildest of men. If you bear David, they
are cormorants and despicable. All we
want Is that Belasco shall be allowed to
build up his works of genius each season.
And also we want Klaw & Brlanger to
put out on the road their big productions.
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA. the band won
der, has scored nightly in' his comic
opera. "The Free Lance," In the East. It
contains a march. "On to Victory," that
is accepted as better than anything the
man has ever written heretofore. They
have established the Sousa Opera Com
pany as a permanent institution, on the
strength of this last feat of Sousa's. Ho
exhibits unexpected versatility and con
tracts to prepare a new opera to be
given each Spring. The tendencies arc
certainly toward good opera of a light
character, and the discontinuation of
freak musical comedy. Sousa's last is
compared to some of the richest beauties
of Offenbach's music. If Sousa has pro
duced anything resembling Offenbach's
opera bouff no one will be happier or
more enthusiastically generous in the
matter of patronage than the best mu
sicians and fun-loving people of America.
LAST week in Portland things theatri
cal were Interesting but not exalting.
The New Century Girls capered at the
Baker Theater. "A Thfrcpughbred Tramp"
served to exploit a good character actor's
ability at the Empire, and the vaudevill
houses ran along evenly in their rut.
"Wednesday the theater managers In town
united to give a performance under Miss
Rujacro's direction, for the benefit of the
6an Francisco sufferers, and a good sum
was raised. Thursday evening began the
three-day season of Blanche "Walsh in
"The Woman in the Case." Instantly the
sane- people of this city recognized a
masterpiece from the pen of Clyde Fitch.
and an excellent performance of a great
play was enjoyed to the full.
REFUGEES carae here all the week
from California, and among them
not a fe-w are theatrical artists who were
In tore seed. A very practical and timely
prois4M for their wants was made when
Metwt. Baker. E ricks an and Keating de
cided to jointly run vaudeville at the
Baker Theater for the week beginning to
day, esapleylag only the California refu
gees who want work and arranging so
that they may go right on over the
Northwest vaudeville circuit and not lose
any time at alL
THE feeet saggestlea yet stale--was
that ef Geerge I. Baker, when fee
proposed, that all the theaters la the
United State set aside ee Bight as
C&Hferata. night, the tatal boroMcc re
oetets to fee sent ie thVSas Fra&olsee
theatrical managers to be utid as they
judge' 'best-In' relieving the distress of
theatrical people and employes of theaters
who have suffered by the earthquake and
fire In San Francisco. The call wan sent
out by the Associated Press, and the re
sponse doubtless will be forthcoming from
the profession and managers all over the
country. . .' "riii.
VC MONG the mosengaglng'-subjects of
am interest is the plan for the two stock
companies which are to open simultan
eously In Portland under Mr. Baker's
management Sunday. May 13. The Baker
Stock Company will- be at the Baker
Theater, playing the high-class pieces and
Including in the company many of the old
favorites who have been here In stock
before; and the Fourteenth Street Stock
Company, which promises to present
melodrama In elaborate fashion at the
Helllg Theater. The disaster at San Fran
cisco has thrown so many desirable the
atrical people out of employment that
there Is a large list to pick from, and
line companies at both theaters may be
expected. Mr. Frledlandcr says that he
will give us attractive comic opera at
The Oaks later on. There are rumors
that an organization from the Tix-oll may
come up from San Francisco, under
whose control no one seems to know. Al
together I Imagine that we will not go
hungry theatrically this Summer for want
of variety.
POLLARDS will be a name frequently
on tho Hps of theatergoers this week.
This Pollard opera company, which oc
cupies the Helllg the coming week, in
cludes a sst of tikes .that are fetching.
breezy, talented and welcome to all
healthy people. They cannot sing an
opera with entire correctness, of course.
but their age considered (they are mere
ly children) they do far better than an
experienced stage manager would Imagine
possible. They never cease to be a won
der to me. They are charming and de
lightful. A. H. BALLARD.
THE POLIiARDS TONIGHT.
Famous Lilliputian Opera Co. Will
Present "A Runaway Girl.'
Tonight at the Helllg Theater on the
corner of Fourteenth and "Washington
streets, the famous Pollard Lilliputian
Opera Company will begin an engagement
of one week
It seems superfluous to attempt saying
anything praiseworthy of these extraor
dinarily clever tots, as they have played
In this city on many xormcr occasions,
and their friends and admirers are count
ed by the score: suffice It to say they
will not onlj exceed but surpass all for
mer performances, as their rest of a few
short days in ths city has put the as in
excellent spirits, which undoubtedly will
be given vent in their singing and acting.
Tho opening Mil tonight will be the
tuneful musical comedy success, "A Run
away Girt. which will also be given next
Thursday night; tomorrow (Monday) and
Friday nights, "The Belle of New York";
Tuesday night. "A Gaiety Girl": Wednes
day night. "The Geisha"; Saturday night.
"An American JiHMeaalre," and at .the
special Saturday matinee, "H. M. & Pina
fore." When tnta wonderful troupe of little
operatic stars paid its Arst visit to Amer
ica It was received evernrnra with- the
.most unbounded enthnomsm. not only be
oanee e the complete novoHy of a. Mus
ical en torta tamest by a bust of ftfty
professional children, all under If years
and many under 10. but because the
operas were really better staged, belter
acted and better sung than by many
adult troupes which have toured the same
territory. At least that was the general
verdict in all the cities where these clever
Lilliputians were seen. The company is
now In America for the third time, with
all the big girls and boys weeded out.
but with all the' old favorites in the cast
of principals. Daphne Pollard and Teddle
Macnamara are still with the organiza
tion. Two new additions are the Pollard
Twins, said to be the equals of any of
the older members in the merriment cre
ating ability. The scenery and wardrobe
Is entirely new.
Seats are now selling for the entire
engagement at the box office of the
Helllg Theater.
'THE SILVER DAGGER.'
"Sew and Intense Melodrama by Mark
E. Swan, at the Empire.
Starting with today's matinee. "Ths
Silver Dagger." a powerful and realistic
drama of New York life, will be the
week's attraction at the Empire. The
company presenting this production for
the first time in the West is headed by
Mack Swain, an actor of great ability
and versatility. All the necessary scenery
for this big production is carried com
plete. It Is a play that appeals not only
to lovers of the modern day melodrama,
but it Is of -a higher order and reaches
the sympathies of all classes of theater
goers. At tho climax of the third act the acme
JAMBS r. UK AXB
-kjm wax
ssssssssHPlfislssft
sssssssssKBSsHRr?': '-sBsssfc V ir. Wtltlj
JlbsW,V"' ' 'rssr '-"Vr Bo 'VjSflwfiBSv
P:''nnnnnnnKB-SBSSSSSSSSSSSSS I sssssssssssssssssssssH
U lTBSSSSSSSSSEdlBSSBSSSSSSSSSrtB JiiiiSSBSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
0
of thrilling dramatic situations Is at
tained. The scene is that of an under
ground apartment, where the heroine, at
the moment of the 'villain's triumph. Is
rescued by the lover, following one of
the most realistic of stage fights. The
house becomes dark for the fraction of &
moment, when the lights reveal an Il
luminated city In the far perspective,
with the rushing waters of the mighty
Hudson and a splendid reproduction of
Brooklyn Bridge In the foreground.
Across this tumult of seething waters
appears a skiff urged on with mighty
strokes by the hero of the occasion, and
occupied by the heroine.
By the use of a stupendous amount of
weighty and massive scenery and clever
lighting effects, this Is said to be one of
the most realistic stage settings ever of
fered to the public as well as one of
the most thrilling of melodramatic cli
maxes ever staged.
"The Silver Dagger" Is a great mati
nee bill and as there is only one other
matinee after Sunday it will, no doubt be
crowded to the doors with members of
the gentler sex. "The Silver Dagger"
will run all week at the Empire, with the
matinee Saturday.
"OAIiIFORNIA GIRLS" COMING.
Closing Burlesque of Season to Open
at Baker Next Sunday Matinee.
The last burlesque company of the long
and successful season at the Baker will
be the "California Girls" Company,
which Is now on its way here and will
open next Sunday matinee at this most
popular place of amusement.
Nature's own handiwork, is always a
pleasing sight to the eye. A pretty
woman with a figure that would vie with
a Venus is always appreciable. When
nature has been unkisd In this respect
we often seek, refuge In artificial means
to gain our end; but such beauty Is only
skin deep, as the saying goes; but for
real prettlness and rare infinite grace
the chorus of the "Callforntk Girls" holds
the palm.
No ftner aggregation of human eoraell-
C8XTANY. CettKBr SKETCH OMAXIZATMX CKXFCGEKS F SAX ITtA3CC3CQ Bi&UTXB)..
ArTKAJS AT TICK XAKXK TKXATK ALL TntkS WJOEX, 8TAjTIN g . JfATXSXX THAV,
new his been seen than the chorus of
this popular organization. No troupes on
the circuit can boast of such a bevy of
pretty misses as the "California Girls
Chorus." and what Is more, they are
young, have fine voices and are as supple
and as lively as 2 year olds. They movo
in" unison about the stazc and lend a
charm to the entire performance which
Is certainly exhilarating.
THE INSIDE TRACK.'
Oliver Dod Byron's Greatest Sensa
tional Slelodrama at Empire.
For the week following -"The Silver
Dagger" at tho Empire. Oliver Dod By
ron's great sensational melodrama, "The
Inside Track." will be presented. This
production has met with tremendous suc
cess during the current season, and will
undoubtedly obtain most gratifying: pat
ronage during Its run at the Empire. It
possesses all the dramatic strength char
acteristic of Mr. Byron's plays to which
he has added the additional charm of a
delightful vein of comedy which enlivens'
the action of the play without in any way
detracting from Its dramatic interest. The
production which comes to the Empire is
a complete one. with a larg. well-balanced
cast and full scenic equipment.
I
"CHRISTIAN" COMPANY COMXNG
John Salnpolis and Lillian Lawrence
Play to Large Houses.
The "Christian" Company, planned and
nt on the road this year by George L.
Baker, has been remarkably successful In
the Northwest.
It started out March 17. opening at Sa
lem, and has played to crowded houses all
the time since that date. The fact that
Interest in this great play is very strong
yet la this Western land is proved by the
box-office receipts of Mr. Baker's com
pany. The receipts have considerably ex
ceeded those ef the original production of
the play put out several years ago by
Llebler Co.. of New York. John Saln
polis and Mis? Lillian Lawrence have bad
the leading roles, namely, John Storm
and Glory Quayle. and their reception all
along the line has been warm and appre
ciative. The people havo. everywhere
come in large numbers to see a fine per
formance of one of the most Intensely
dramatic plays of the century. The spec
tacular effects are preserved, as the com
pany carries all stage paraphernalia with
it. so that the smaller theaters at one-,
night stands do not cramp the presenta
tion of the play. Seven weeks now they
have been on the road, and a perform
ance, under the direction of Mr. Salnpo
lis. Is given In which every theatergoer
delights.
They come to the Helllg Theater Sun
day. May 6. for three nights. It has been
a long time since Portland has seen "The
Christian," and there is considerable In
terest In the fine performance this Baker
company is giving. Mr. Sainpolls' John
Storm Is admitted to be the-strongest Im
personation of that tremendous role
since Edwin Morgan amazed the country
with it.
COIN" KING AT THE GRAND
T. Nelson Dptvns Closes Engagement
Today New BUI Tomorrow.
Those who have not yet seen the !
wonderful coin-oalminr feats of T. '
Nelson Downs, at the Grand, should
avail themselves of, this last oppor
tunity. The bill which has created
such a sensation during the past week
closes today. The performances are
from 2:30 to 10:45. Don't miss Crim
mlns and Gore, the headlincrs. or Wil
liam H. Wlndom, the monologlst, or
any of the other feature acts.
With the matinee tomorrow the
Grand will give another of Its big
star bills, every artist on the pro
gramme being worthy of the price of
admission. The prices, starting tdmor-row-,
will be the Summer season kind,
which means they are 10 and 20 cents,
with boxes, 30 cents. This is the time
when the vaudeville houses of the
country reduce the rates for the warm
weather period. The Rlzleys are pre
mier poaturers.
This is an act which a novelty.
There lias been nothing similar in
Portland since the vaudeville theaters
started here. "The Good Ship Nancy
Lee sounds funny, and it is. It Is
offered by Gllmore, Haynes and Mont
gomery. As a nautical bit of nonsense this
will be a success. The act is said to
be one of the most amusing booRed to
the Pacific Coast over the Sullivan &
Considlno circuit from New York and
Chicago. Ralph Cummlngs & Com
pany will produce X Sealskin Sacque."
Mr. Cummlngs wllr be remembered as
the head of the Cummlngs stock com
pany, which played here for a season
several years ago. Vane and Declalr
ville have a novelty act called "the
human flies." Their turn is unique in
many respects.
Mack and Tata are jolly jesters,
with new songs and stories, and they
will please all listeners. Ida Howell
Is a vocalist and c6medlenne. Master
Harold Hoff has an illustrated song,
pathetic and touching, "Two Little
Dirty Hands." "Everybody Works but
Father is the funny Grandlscope
story. This programme can be un
equivocally recommended to everyone
who is seeking a good vaudeville en
tertalnraenfnj MUSICAL COMEDIES NEXT.
Vaudeville Season Closes at the Star
This "Week.,
At the raatlneo tomorrow the 8tar be
gins the test week of vaadevllla it will
have this season. Following It will come
a season of musical- comedies, presented
by a clever company of entertainers. The
now bill- this weak will be found better
than any" other that the Star has had In
a number of weeks. Especial care has
been exercised la selecting this last vau
deville Mil.
At the top ef the list of many attrac
tions Is the team ef Wills and Collins.
They, are recognised as the foremost trav
esty stars In America. The act they will
sire at th Star will fee a travesty of
"PygraaUoa and Galatea." This act
stand out as among the very best In the
history of the Star. Wallace and Beach
are to give an acrobatic comedy sketch.
Taeso people are Earopean eecentrioHes.
and suok acts savor fail to make good
with n American audience.
One of tk feet aerial acts on the Coast
ts that of tho Three Kofeers. These peo
ple work on tho mat and traaese and
their feats ar new and out of the gen
eral order f tbtn?s. Miss Mildred Edd7
is a emnedfeano. bright and captivating.
A German eomfdttrt who has. made his
mark as a fan-rrdncer is J. W. CMfo-d.
K hn Hen rt-allr enrfagrd for the last
week of vandoviHe. "Way Down Yonder
m the CoTdnrld" win be nn-x by the pop
&r TMtt4st. Jaw "Barke. and the
Karoo so sb wW fwsls "A. Drama In the
AhV
Todaar-r.tis -Jtrtroneosi wW be 'eon-
HmMw Jram SJM io M. It Is-tho
mg day lor yWir and Hanson, the
dians; Barnes and Levlna. the tramp and
the conjurer: Miss Bonnie Cruz, the op
eratic vocalist: Louis Bates, the Imitator
and impersonator, and the rest of the
pleasing programme.
NEW BILL AT FANTAGES.
Feature Acts of Many Varieties to
Be Seen This Week.
Pantages always has a good bill. This
week the bill will contain features all
of them are features, and there Is a
total absence of fill-ins. thetllke of which
has rarely been seen In Portland. All
of the numbers on the programme are
far above the average, and ordinarily
anyone of them would be good enough
to head the bill. The San Francisco fire
had broken several vaudeville circuits,
and Manager Johnson has had the op
portunity to pick from a long list of va
ried attractions. Of course, he selected
only the very best and thlg week at
Pantages will be a notable one. The
Taylor Quartet, which la one of the
strongest acts ever presented on the Pa
cific Coast, is in itself worth more than
the price of admission. This, act Is
brought to Portland at great expense,
but it lsa sure drawing card and where-,
ever It appears makes an Immediate hit.
The members of the Taylor Quartet are
as good Instrumentalists as singers and
those who have ever heard them sing
know that' this is saying a good deal.
Zeno and Owens come next on the bill.
They are singers, dancers and comedians.
In either one of these capacities they
would be much sought after and with all
three combined they present an act that
Is hard to equal. The Irresistible Willie
Jones, monologlst. will delight the pa
trons of the popular playhouse. Willie
Jones Is also Inimitable, let alone being
irresistible, and is in a class by him
self. "Have you seen Willie Jones?" will
be heard many times this week. Knetz
er, the Juggler, will show his skill with
everything from a toothpick to a table.
Knetzer is different from most Jugglers,
and a person seeing him year after year
would never become tired of him. He
Is not alone skilled In his art, but he has
the knack of continually Introducing
new and novel feats, which is a sure
preventive for growing stale. That old
saying, "last but not least." has been
worked overtime, but In this, case It Is
Dermlssible to use it In referring to
Willis and Bond, English comlque. They
have an act that Is a whole show within
itself. Arthur Eiwell will sing another
Illustrated song, and the bill Is conclud
ed with the blograph, which will present
this week, "Nobody Works but Father."
BEHIND THE SCENES.
Next season Ernest Lamson will again
twinkle as a tar appearing. In a Western
drama of which he is the author.
Charles A. Mason, the German dialect eo
median, and Lew Kelly continue to have
very great saccess In their comedy, 'The
Onion Trust."
Thomas Jefferson resumed his tour la
"Rip Van Winkle" April 23 in Baltimor.
His Summer vacation will be spent at Bus
sard's Bay, Mass.
Cbauncey Oleott closes his tour June 2 In
Saratoga. T. Y.. where he has a handsom
homo, and in which he will spend his vaca
tion. His next tojur begins in August with
a new play by Theodore Burt Sayre.
For tsa important scene of "The Strength
of the Weak" Eugene Ormonde has to en
fold Florence Roberta In an embrace that
might be called "the Ormonde hug." It
eertalnly rivals OJga. Nethersole's famous
Comed'an AI H. Wilson's recent engage
ments In St- Past aad Minneapolis were tho
most successful that he has ever played in
tho cities. His receipts for nine perform
ances were $7800. for "The German Gypsy."
Last week '"Te Shadows of a Great City'
was presented in Detroit to a succession of
overflowing and enthusiastic audiences. AI'
thousn this fine melodrama Is, 20- years old
It continues to be a potent attraction, and
Bas not had a losing week In two .seasons.
Its scenes are laid in and around New York,
and its story is one of the strongest ever
told on the sts.se. The management has
decided to keep it on the road until May 13.
Charles A. Mason, of Kelly and Mases,
tells this one: "e had bought her a pot of
real Irish shamrock grown on the ould w.
for It was St- Patrick's day, and she, too.
had in her veins the blood of Erin.
Ob she osied, 'how sood of you I How
perfect they ar! How fresht Why. I be
lieve' there la still a little dew on them.
"Ye.' he answered, flushing. 'I know
there K. but It will all be paid off tomor
row.' "
The complete cast of "The Strength of the
Weak." which was produced at the Liberty
Theater. Is New York. April 17. with Flor
ence: Roberts as the star, inouded Tyres e
Power, Max Firman. IL a Xorthrsp. Ka
ne Ormonde, Robert McWade, Frank
Rlchter, Donald Weldoa. Adelaide Manola.
Tloresee RoblRwa. Mary Fertwiad. Ruth
Allen. Fa any Cannon. Lucl'e TerJte and
Inxa Ca9rU. Tho scene ef the play
are laM Jn ana. near New York, the action
kiB!iH; at a womb's catlese aad, leadtsc
thrsvsk r;lMtM draaaaUe eUtl te
Bts4l tIfiNemtsL A hnt belt, or Lbs
I'4 eH th asartB&ests at the aervtaM
( isswsrmt ib oer iwo scene,,,
Til
$1
9
1