Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 1900)
THE SUNDAY 0EEG0NIA2T, POWLAND, FEBRUARY 4, 1900. 17 CORDRAY'S THEATER SPECIAL - People's Popular Playhouse LAST APPEARANCE"""' ' IN AMERICA LAST PERFORMANCE TONIGHT The Celebrated Young ' Amerteftfi-Tragedleitiia 5 Supported by Clay Clement and a Most'ExceSfent Compaqy "I 0'rVw. 5i?is Sunday ptrei)ii$, J eb. 4 William Skakespeare's Tragedy, ' MACBETH" "With the original XeHy sauaio. erehestn. Au&iue&ted PWCBS Orchestra, sad. lege seats, $l;4dcsa cireie. 7at kwa H seals), $5 g&ftecr, "3Bt featoear otrete. Site. nP T I v 1 w VT I XO" .-L "N VCXX Oil, My! Bvab trfld Gotbam'a wildest say It'e positively shocking' To eee Bteeofee Bates upon, the etase Reaeve her silken stocking. It wtgfet be -roll if gentle Blanch Appear before tfeose men. A4, Just to show her good Intent, Put on her hose again. San FranclKO N ews Letter. VALE, BOSTONIANSI YALEI America's Fmou Comic Opera Or- Kanlx&tion Leaves a Trail of BcTvilderiiiBr Memories, The Bestoalans have come, sung their way b&ok late our hearts, and gone on to fresh conquests, leaving behind them a trail of bewildering memories. We are still hypnotized by the splurge of color and satf&ng lights, the brilliant stage trappings, tantalizing half-remembered strains of music, and those saucy, co quetting cborusrglrls, as they appeared In "The Smugglers," In abbreviated flow er dresses, with roses in their hair, and roses la their cheeks, and flaming rose garlands to flirt with beside. They turned the Marquam stage Into a ver itable Persian garden, but there was no Omar Khayyam in the background to philosophize on the mutability of human life or the approach of death. It is clever staging more than any thing else that made the success of "The Smugglers." Musically it comes very near being a potpourri of other operas. If one tries, in a reminiscent mood, to hum one of the tunes, he is sure to get tangled up with some other melody after a few notes. It reminds one of a story of the Thurlngian forest, wherein all the roads are promising and well lntentioned in the beginning, but each, after a little way, dwindles down to a squirrel track and runs up a tree. But the composer, Minkowsky', has shown his originality In one respect, at least that of putting one of his prettiest numbers at the end of the last act, just when the suburban residents scattered over tr house are be ginning to consult their watches uneas ily, and thrust their arms into their coats, and incidentally Into their neighbors' eyes. AllHrlagr Marcla Van Dresser. It was la this disquieting atmosphere that Marda Van Dresser first brought E3UIA the anolsnco under the sway of her per sonality; TtMre was a tender, glamorous poetry la her singing that suddenly ar restee banns that were outstretched for wraps ant umbreitaa, and brought a hush of wnndnting surprise over the entire house She hai sung her way through the epra. up to that moment, without any & discovering the really alluring beauty of tone that her voice possesses within a certain limited range. She was, to be sure, pleasant to look at; but mere prettlness of face and figure, after all, do not count for much with a public, unless there Is a strong, conquering per sonality behind it, and of this the audi ence had not been convinced. She had seemed a bit weak and Insipid, as com pared with vigorous, breezy-mannered Jessie Bartlett Davis. But now, when the opera was nearly over, they began to look at her with new Interest, and won der If she might not, perhaps, In time, de velop into something more than a mere stage beauty. The next night. In "The Serenade," Miss "Van Dresser asserted herself with more power and self-confidence, putting ' never hold a warmer place In the public much sparkling life Into her acting. Her regard than the stanch, well-tried favor coquetries as the duke's ward were lrre- ltes of yore, charming Helen Bertram, Kathryn Louis James. slstibler and In"he scene In the monas tery garden she made the most dashing and beautiful 'Andaluslan boy that could be Imagined. All her languorous, slow moving grace of the preceding night left "her. and Instead she was lithe, free-moving and fearless, yet even In her feayest moods did not lose her inborn womanly dignity. But It is a pity she does hot use her voice to better advantage. It Is very deficient in carrying power; in the well-known "Serenade" duet, for exam ple, most of her notes were completely lost. The registers of her voice are not well blended. This, and other defects, cama out prominently in "O Promise Me" ("Robin Hood"), the song that many were waiting to hear her sing before passing final judgment on her voice. But, not withstanding her weakness in this respect, I she has made herself an undeniable favor I ite by reason of her beauty, her arch ways and piquant acting. Must She Be Able to SineT It seems sometimes as though the least essential part of the outfit of a comic opera singer nowadays Is that she should be able to sing. Certainly Marcla van Dresser Is making a brilliant success with out It, and that, too, In the leading light opera companj In America. But this the ory, significant though it Is In Its relation to the operatic career, Is not verified Jn the case of another member of the Bos tonians Grace Cameron. Nobody can call her pretty, nor even chic; she has none SEVADA, of the dramatic graces; she Is a mere fledgeling, a tiny slip of a girl, entirely unschooled In all that goes to make up a stage heroine. But she can sing; and in consequence of that accomplishment she leaves Portland today the most popular among the new members of the Boston ians, whereas but six days ago she was entirely unknown to us. Her voice pleased because It is fresh, sweet-toned and true, with more volume to It than even the most hopeful would expect from her wee mite of a body. The American public has a big, warm heart, and In It Is a tender place for all that Is small and young and helpless. Per haps that is the reason why It has be come a stanch friend to Miss Cameron. She la young, Ingenuous, full of the fresh ness and ardor of happy living. And that counts for something. There is nothing in the world so attractive as simple hap piness, even though it may belong to some other person. Frank Rushworth, the new tenor, ap-' parently has all the requisites that the leading tenor of the Bostonians ought to have. He seems built after the model of the Greek hero; he Is easy-mannered and chlvalric In the lover scenes; he sings ad mirably, and has a frank and ready smile. "What more could be desired? And as for the basso, John Dunsmure, as everybody knows, he had not sung a dozen lines the opening night before his forceful stage presence, spirited acting- and superb voice had carried the audience by storm. But, after all, theso new friends will Kidder, Charles B. Honford.' George Frothlngham, W. H. MaeDonald W. H. Fitzgerald, S. L. Studley, the cap able musical director. And perhaps the plesantest memory that now stays with us is that of the droll, benignant-faced veteran, Barnabee, stalking with paternal air among the coquetting chorus girls. AT MAIIQUAM THIS WEEK. Jnmes-Kidiler-Hnnfora Combination Opens Wednesday Night. The Bouls James, Kathryn Kidder and Charles B. Hanford combination begins an engagement at the Marquam Grand on Wednesday evening next, and continues for the balance of this week, including a Saturday matinee. The repertoire Is an nounced as follows: Wednesday and Fri day nights and Saturday matinee, "The Winter's Tale"r Thursday night, "The School for Scandal," and Saturday night, "The Rivals." For each of these plays, Managers Wag enhals and Kemper have provided an ex ceptionally large and complete equipment of handsome scenery, properties and stage effects. These enterprising managers have always maintained a high standard of pro duction in attractions which they have heretofore presented. They realize that the better class of theater-goera fully ap preciate the value of lavish and beautiful scenic embellishments, and all the im portant adjuncts which combine to create Impressive and appropriate stage pictures. Their production of "The Winter's Tale" Is claimed to be the most elaborate the drama has ever had, and It la not only notable for the commendable care shown In the matter of scenic illustration, but also for the elaborate costuming of the piece. It is well that the public should under stand the superior character of the com pany that will support the three stars. Messrs. Wagenhals and Kemper have se lected their leading people with special reference to their assumption of certain roles. Mr. Harry Langdon, the veteran Shakespearean actor, has been engaged for a line of parts for which he Is particu larly suited, and In which he has received high praise. He has no superior as an actor of the "old man" in' the classic and standard plays. Mr. John A. Ellsler, the other "grand old man" of the legitimate drama, has been especially engaged for roles with which for many years he has Tjeen identified. Mr. Ellsler has been closely associated with nearly every im portant legitimate revival in the past dec ade. Mr. Barry Johnstone, who, for the past three seasons, has been associated with Mr. James, Is one of the most versatile actors in America, and has been equally successful In heroic, romantic and char acter parts. Mr. Collin Kemper, whose schooling was with the late Augustln Daly's company. In London and New York, Is an artist of high -attainment. Mrs. Henry Vendenhoff Is one of the most finished artists of the company. She Is the widow of the great Henry "Vanden hoff, the English actor, and since her residence in this country has been con nected with many of the most notable dramatic organizations. Among the other leading people are: Norman Hackett, W. A. Lincoln, Thomas Coffin Cooke, J. L. McVlcker, Harvey Cassldy, George McCulla, Miss Helen Singer, Miss Aphle James and Miss Emily Grey Bether. all of whom have had Im portant engagements with legitimate com panies. The organization numbers 37 peo ple In all and they have been selected so as to enable the management to give al most an "all star cast" of each play In Its repertoire. NEVADA'S RETURN CONCERT. She Will Sins at the Metropolitan Thursday Evening;. Through the enterprise of Manager Clarence H. Jones, of the Metropolitan, Portland music-lovers will have another opportunity to hear Madame Emma Neva da, one of the greatest singers that this country has produced. Nevada Is in her prime, and this will, perhaps, be the last Popular With the-PeopIc; After the Minnows .8 FunnyEnd Men 8 8 Great , Specialty Acts 8 A Gigantic Gathering of Big Novelty Fea tures. A Colossal Combination In Colored Comedy. 6 NIGHTS- - tomorrow night - opportunity to hear her, as sho has en gagements abroad which will keep her away from her native land for several years. The present tour is the first made In America since 1S86. A glance at the subjoined programme will reveal several numbers which have never been sung or played here before. Notably prominent la the tnad scene from "Hamlet," by Ambrolse Thomas. His florid style Is admirably suited to Mme. Nevada's voice, as is' also Verdi's "Caro Nome." Mr. Blumenberg, the charming 'cellist, and Mr. Pratt, the pian ist, are down for attractive numberst Here is the programme: Piano solo (a) Nocturne , (b) Scherzo Chopin ' Mr. Pratt. "Caro Nome," from "Rlgoletto" Verdi Mme. Nevada. .Hebrew melody "Kol NIdrel" (by spe cial request) Max Bruch Mr. Blumenberg. (a) "Travonehka" (by request).... Gounod (b) Waltz from "Romeo and Juliet"... Gounod Mme. Nevada. (a) "Traumerel" .MacDowell (b) "Taccata" Sagambari Mr. Pratt. (a) Spanish dance, "ITAnda Couse".... David Popper (b) "At the Fountain" Ch. Davjddff .Mr. Blumenbargr3 - "Hamlet" (ffiurth act. mad scene) ..w.. .,., ,i..t.),.. .Ambrolse Thomast Mme. Nevada. Prices for admission toTtHfs concert are: $2, $1 0, $land'-50 cents. -The box she'et opens at theMetropolltan tomorrow at 10 A. M. - onmzh as ,lady macbeth. TonishtVi Performance at Corffray's r Should Be Worth Seeiner. The production of "Macbeth," which will be given at Cordray's tonight by Nance O'Neil and her company of players, Is one of the most ambitious efforts Miss O'Neil has yet made. It' would seem as if the talented yoilng actress should have a pe culiar fitness for the character of Lady Macbeth, possessing, as she does, so strong a personality and much of the dramatic fire which Is necessary for an accurate interpretation of the role. Clay Clement, who Is supporting Miss O'Neil, should also make a good showing, and the re mainder of the company is well cast. The play will be well staged, and, with Edwin S. Kelly's famous music, should make an Impression on Portland theater-goers. MINSTRELS AT. CORDRAY'S. Richards fc Pringle's Company Will Open Tomorrow Night. Tho Nance O'Neil engagement at Cor dray's will be followed tomorrow evening by Richards & Pringle's minstrels, which will hold the boards for the remainder of the week. This sterling troupe presents a new show this season, and those ,who like minstrelsy right "upcto date will find It at Cordray's. An orchestra df 30pieces accompanies the vocal and specialty force of performers. In numerical strength and attractiveness, the show Is said to be up to the requirements. Among other adver tised specialties are a troupe bt Arabs A. I BUSS NAJfClE CXEIL. known as the Desert," and eight soloists. "Whirling Dervishes of the a military band including FBAWLKT AT OBDItAY'S. "Will Open With "Tbe Sporting? Dncli ess," on February 25. "In Paradise," the new made-ln-France play of the Frawley company is said' to be such an admixture of sweet devllishness and coquetry that it Is difficult .for. the prudes to pick out the faults that shock their fine sensibilities, and there' Is still a savorlness of th dining clubrooms about the piece that makes It "catch on" with great eclat. It will soon be seen at Cordray's. , The Frawley company will come direct CORDRAY'S Comes the Whale RICHARDS & PRINGLFS FAMOUS GEORGIA II 1J I SALLO 50.. PEOPLE 50 2 SUPERB BANDS 2 The Whirlwinds of the Desert ..... BONOMER'S Famous Troupe of Arabs. j& ; MARQUAM GRAND1 4 MIGHTS and SATURDAY MATINEE ifiUJSjlJMfS. Louis WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHTS AND SAT. MAT. Uiar "The Winter's Tale" as presented by the deserves to be classed as tn e oentury." Los Angeles Times. THURSDAY NIGHT THE SCHOOL FOR E-renlnsr Prices Balcony, last 6 rows Balcony, second 3 rows Balcony, first 3 rows Lower Floor Boxes and Loges there on the ISth Inst., and will open ite three weeks' engagement at Cordray's on Sunday night, the 25th, with a magnificent production of th& great English racing drama, "The Sporting Duchess," which so successfully inaugurated the season of to Portland from its three months' en gagement at the California theater, San Francisco. It will close its engagement (From a recent photosraph.) this company at the California. It Is Mr. Frawley's Intention to produce two plays a week at Cordray's, which will mean six productions during the stay of the com pany in this city. Mr. Frawley announces that he carries all the scenery and properties for all the plays in his repertoire, which is a very Jarge one. We shall probably see, during the Frawley season, "Mme. Sans Gene," "In Paradise," "With Flying Colors," "The Countess Guekl" and "An Uncon ventional Honeymoon." "Tlie IJttle Minister" Coming. 'The Little Minister," J. M. Barrie's dramatization of his famous novel of that name, will be presented at the Marquam THEATER Extraordinary Commencing WEDNESDAY Managers WAGENHALS & KEMPER Present America's Foremost Theatrical Organization, Including the THREE DISTINGUISHED Jame sa Kathryn Kidder B. Hanford cs In the Most Complete. Elaborate and Scholastic Productions Ever Brought to the Pacific Coast. THE WINTER'S TALE James. Kidder. Hanford combination greatest scenic and dramatic triumph of the SATURDAY NIGHT SCANDAL THE EOo 75c $1.00 51.50 $2.00 Matinee Prices Balcony, last 6 rows Balcony, first 6 rows Lower FI005 Boxes and Loges Gallery, matinee and night 23c METROPOLITAN THEATER I ONE NIGHT, THURS. FEB. 8 RETURN BY REQUEST OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST PRIMA DONNA Mme. AND ASSISTING ARTISTS IN ENTIRE NEW PROGRAMME Mme. Nevada will sing all e? Ophelia's part In the fourth act ef Hamlet. THE ENTIRE ACT. Her greatest operatic role. Reduced prices $2. $1.50, $1.00; gallery, 50c; loge seats, $2; boxss, $12.50. Box office open Monday morning, at 10 o'clock. CLARENCE H. JONES, Manager. Grand theater some time during Febru ary. The nresentation of this nlav this I season in New York, under the manage ment of Charles Frohman, was far beyond I Mr. Frohman's expectations of results, having been eminently successful there and subsequently throughout the coun try, jeany every Doay is iamnrar wiui 1 me novel ana us types 01 cnaracters, ana these are so peculiar that people are anxious to see what kind of a play the author has made of it. Press reports say the production has been greeted by large and fashionable audiences everywhere. "Too Much Johnson" Coming. N?xt week, at Cordray's. will be seen Gillette's amusing comedy, "Too Much Johnson." The engagement will be for a week, with the usual Saturday matlaee. Cordray Receives an Offer. John. F. Cordray received a very flatter ing offer from McKee Rankin, manager of Nance O'Neil, yesterday afternoon, to JOHN P. CORDRAY, Mgr. Grand. Street Parade at Noon Every Day A MUSICAL TREAT The, G&kert 30 Musicians Every Evening at 7 MONDAY Event ARTISTS And Harry LaHgde-B, John Ellsler. Barry JofcBstene, Collin Kemper. Norman Haelcett, J. Ii. McVlcker. T. Coffin Ceelce, Sirs. Vaadeaboff, Helen Singer. Marie Drofaaa, Emily Bethel. Elizabeth, Barriscalo and TWENTY OTHERS nineteenth RIVALS ....50o 75a $1.00 $2.00 direct the Australian tour of Miss O'Neil' s company. The offer contemplated a hand some salary and a percentage, transpor tation, and about everything else that would allure a good theatrical manager. Mr. Cordray was justifiably nattered at the offer, out it wae, he said, impossible for him to accept It. Return ef H. It. Roberts. It will be pleasurable news to admirers of that versatile and talented young actor, H. R. Roberts, ha. combhmtfoa with Mag gie Moore, that they will play a return engagement hi this etty at Cordray's the ater the week of February 1. The two plays selected will probably be "Mrs. Qtmm's Twme" and "Arrah-na-Pogue " The ftrst Is a delightfully droll Irish com edy; ta both plays Mr. Roberts Is seen at Mb best la real Irish characters. Waefeena (Bcarae, Darrew) is said to have made a very faveraWe Impression on the Juneau, Ateefea. pttotte. as the lead ing feugr the Louvre theater aWcfc soar. FEB. 7 1 Nevada