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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 1900)
THE ' SUNDAY OREGOtflAN, PORTLAND, MARCH 18, 1900. 17 la. One Act. Advance man -with tb Iroa J&tt, Gay posters by the aoope, A shower o handbills photograph Press notices jralore. On Monfinr night, tho curtain rlw, "With not a. vacant row. And later on, the curtain fall That's all. There was no ahorr. IEXVOI. Tb crltlo writes a proper "roast," The actora (7) pale and -wince. The public reads with ohope and toast. No audiences since. 0rlotte ThompDon, In Ban Francisco Dra matic Review. WITH ENTIRE FRANKNESS Kraxrler EngeBemeHt Developed Much. Versatility of Talent and Cartons Ifcepcrtolre. And bo the Frawley season Is over, and we are ready now to subside for an hour Into a mood of calm retrospection, after the nutter of surprise into which we were thrown by the events of the past three weeks. "With what amazing ardor the Frawley company is cultivating versatility! That jump from the dazzling melodrama of English sporting life, with all Its bold In trigues and daring Improprieties, back Into the pleasantly familiar atmosphere of Ger man naivete decorous and corect drawing-room drama quite took away our breath. And It apparently had a dispirit ing effect upon the actors. Then, presto, change! "Madame Sans Gene" and "Tril by" developed unexpected strength in the company and brought It into the hey-dey of public favor that It has enjoyed for bo many seasons In Portland. There was something to wonder at and admire, be sides the modish grace and stately beauty of the women, in their sweeping gowns, a shlmmer with light and color. Serlous iaced maters famlllas, who had been on the verge of falling asleep when startling un conventlonalltles did not keep them un comfortably wide awake, straightened up In their chairs and applauded to the echo the brilliant audacities of Mary "Van Bu ren, the pretty blanchlsseur of Paris, on the curtness and self-repression of Mr. Frawley's Napoleon, with its one touch of Irascibility. They trembled with pity, in the third act of "Trilby," when Miss Tan Buren, with that helpless, pathetic stare, came on the stage, clad in trailing satin, white from the toe of her slippered foot to the lilies that breathed their pol len against her blanched cheek; they shud dered and shrank back In horror at Svengall's spasms of grovelling rage. Yes, that was strong, clean work that was given us In "Madame Sana Gene" and "Trilby." Startling; Lapse. Then came that startling lapse Into French wit and wickedness. That "In Paradise" is not exactly what !ts name would indicate has already been discov ered by some hundreds of local theater goers. A farce that has just escaped clos ing theater doors elsewhere, a farce that scandalized the not over-squeamish con science of San Francisco, Is not the sort of play to attract decorous-minded citizens of Portland. Previous to this engagement. MISS TEARI, LANDERS, OF Mr. Frawley has given us clean and whole fiome drama, and, because of this, he had earned the sincere respect of the people. But now he suffers a distinct loss ol 'prestige. It must be confessed that the work of i the Frawley company during this en- l gagement has been exceedingly uneven. ! That first week It looked as though we would be kept vibrating between the risque ' " BnnagaaBfaMaBaanaaaKBMannMB and the stupid. But we soon learned that the company contains some stronar ele ments. In Miss Van Buren's work, par ticularly. Portland people take a warm interest. There have been some mis casts, but this was partly owing to tho presence of new, untried members. On the whole, the ensembles have been rur prislngly good, when one considers tho difficulties that had to be contended with. Of course, there has been considerable extra work, in the way of rehearsals, to that the atmosphere between perform ances has been an odd mixture of flurry and yawns, "with bumps and laughter thrown in ad libitum by Miss "Wakeman while she was experimenting on the most effective and agreeable way to fall down stairs In the third act of "The Dancing Girl." Now, every one will grant that It is the easiest thing In the world to fau down stairs, but to do It prettily and decorous ly, without hurting one's self in transitu there's the rub. The main thing, so say the knowing ones, is to become perfectly limp persuade yourself that you are a rag dolL or an India-rubber ball, or a dish cloth then Just let yourself go, keeping cool and tranquil the while until you reach the bottom step. That Is all there Is to It; the attraction of gravitation does the rest. Her First Attempt. Very few in the audience on Tuesday night knew that it was Miss "Wakeman's first public performance in the role of Brasilia Ives, but by "Wednesday night every one knew It; indeed. thfre were some who went there for the sole pur pose of seeing whethor she could take that headlong fall as gracefully as Blanche Bates used to take it. Not a few clutched their chairs nervously and held their breath until she landed safely on the floor at the base of the steps, a heap of disheveled silks and wretched self abasement, the blg-petaled crimson roses her father had so ruthlessly torn from her hair scattered along the way. Really, the hardest part of the perform ance comes when It Is all over, as the Irishman would say. For a woman to rise to her feet, with superb dramatic passion, after such a rolling journey down a long flight of stairs, with her train wrapped around her in all sorts of sinu ous, cantankerous folks, holding her as in a vise, and with the eyes of several hundred people not to speak of lorg nettesbent relentlessly upon her, Js not an easy matter, but it was trimphantly accomplished. The mingling of impatient scorn and offended, pride that Anally cnanged into confused terror and helpless rage, made very heavy demands upon Miss "Wake man's dramatic ability. In all her pre ceding roles she had given no exhibition of real power, yet somehow she had sue cceded In Impressing the audience with the opinion that she held this power in reserve. That scene was the test which was to decide the question. And she did not disappoint the general expectatlon. Her Remarkable Voice. The secret of Miss "Wakeman's power lies in her voice, yet one cannot help wishing she would use it with more care ful art. It is a wonderful voice, peculiar ly suited to heavy emotional roles, but. in moments of excitement, she Is apt to forget herself and use It in rather unmu sical fashion, as, for example, when she gave the blatant, blood-curdling shriek, "O, father, father!" after that terrible volley of curses, and when she rushes in frenzied entreaty from the banquet-halL Yet, In the preceding act, while she was endeavoring to persuade John Christlson to remain in London, nearly all the emo tlons known to the human breast were sounded in quick succession by those deep, enamorlng contralto tones; they were. In turn, alluring, filled with soft blandish ments, startling levity or heartless un THE FRA1VLE-Y COMPANY. concern; they were languorous, with touches of fitful, slumbering passion, con tempt, tragic wrath, remorse; they wer hoarse with hatred; they trembled with self-pity and despair. 'Nature, in giving her such a voice, has endowed her royally, but if it is to be really potent, it must be used with greater self-control, and finer, more discriminating taste. In most of the other roles Miss "Wake man has essayed, she seems a trifle too heavy; a powerful stimulus apparently Is needed to overcome a certain Inertia o! nature. Temperamentally, she was In sympathy with the role of Ann Cruger, in "The Charity Ball," yet in the scene with John Van Buren over the teacups, she showed her lack of buoyancy. "Wher ever sprightllness Is required of her. she is apt to disappoint one. She has too much stability, too much repose, for light, vivacious roles. Her glowing good humor, pleasant "though It Is, sometimes stands In the way of her art. "Too Incorrigibly Serene." In "An Unconventional Honeymoon," for example, she was too incorrigibly se rene. Her task, to be sure, was rather an ungracious one. To shine In a roll that is so closely associated In the minds of Portland theater-goers with the deli cate and sensitive emotional nature and alluring personality of Blanche Bates It not easy. Quick sensibilities, rare in stincts of refinement and subtle, discern ing sympathies are required for the part Miss "Wakeman seemed miscast. Marlon Barnay, as Phyllis Lee, In "The Charity Ball," was very beautiful to look at, just as she had been In "The Sport ing Duchess," but her acting was not convincing. She lacks force and emotional Intensity. Pearl Landers, for one so young, shows remarkable freedom and SCENE) FROM "TOLL-GATH UTSf ease on the stage, and seems well fitted for the gushing Ingenue. MInette Barrett has shown improvement during the en gagement. Portland people will take a lively Interest In the future career of these two Portland girls. Some of the most clever character act ing that has yet been done by the Fraw ley company was the work of Christine H1U, as Dinah, in "An Unconventional Honeymoon," her darky jabberlngs and swift sallies with tho broom out Into tho public highway being thoroughly typical of the old Southern plantation mammy. Phosa McAllister. Our old friend, Phosa McAllister, con tinues to be a valuable member of the Frawley company. There la a dignity and grace about her portrayal of old age that, long ago, won our good will. Nearly all the Frawley men were new to us, three weeks ago. Frank Matthleu, to be sure, was here with the Frawleys on their Inst visit. He Is the same manly, vigorous young fellow, without versatility, but with a frank, straightforward manner that we like. Harrington Reynolds will be par ticularly remembered for his exceptionally strong impersonation of Taffy. J. R. AmoryVj gift of hunjor brightened up more than one play, but he also fills serious roles acceptably.. Clarence Montaigne rants too much. "Why does not he culti vate a less explosive presence? Francis Byrne also overacts his part. MERIWETHER. "WORTHY WAGNER EXPONENTS. GadskI, Damrosch and Blspham at tbe Marquam Thursday. Mme. GadskI, "Walter Damrosch and David Blspham, who are among the great est exponents of "Wagnerian music, are coming to the Marquam Grand Theater, Thursday evening, March 22. This will be one of the great events of the season In Portland, In a musical way. Much in terest Is being shown in It by the Portland Musical Club, and It Is likely that the en tire club will attend In a body. It was Richard "Wagner who created tho "singing" orchestra, and made It an ocean of brilliant harmony, upon which the craft of vocallsm was commanded to float. So it is that modern orchestration is based on Wagnerian principles, and now the orchestra Is no more an accompany ing Instrument, but, instead, a separate in stitution. From various standpoints, the forthcoming Wagnerian recital here Is Important, and not least because of the efficiency and prominence of Its three ex ponents GadskI, Damrosch and Blspham. Madame GadskI, tho Wagnerian soprano, has achieved remarkable recognition as an artist of great resources, despite the fact that her operatic career Is but a short one. After seven years of voice culture in Eu ropean cities, she first appeared in a Wag nerian role, at tho Metropolitan Opera House in New York. In 1S94-95. as Elsa, In "Lohengrin." After her New York suc cess, she appeared throughout the coun try with the Ellis Opera Company. She returned from successes In London and Bayreuth to appear, with still moro marked success, at the Metropolitan, In New York, last season. Her present visit to this Coast affords a rare and delightful opportunity for Portland people to hear a truly great opera.singer. In the zenith of her artistic power. Walter Damrosch Is too well known to require an Introduction. As a Wagnerian exponent and the successor of a still more famous father, he achieved fame, and the pub!!c has come to look upon him as one of the foremost American operatic con ductors of the present day. David Blspham, the other member of this great operatic triumvirate, Is also an American by birth, and his career Is almost entirely restricted to this Conti nent. Since 1S37 he has been recognized as one of tho world's leading baritones. His vibrant voice exhibits sple'ndld flex ibility and possesses fine carrying quality a requisite to the successful exposition of the Wagner music-drama. He uses a clear enunciation and delicate phrasing, and is a master of vocal technique. With three such gifted musical savants, there should bo no question of the success of the Thursday night production at the Marquam. "DARKEST RUSSIA" TONIGHT. Melodrama Hold the Boards at Cor drny's This "WeeTc. "Darkest Russia" will begin a week's stay at Cordrays tonight Among the many plays that have been built about a Russian theme, dealing with the question of Nihilism, in its various forms, few, according to press accounts, have been more to tho liking of those who seek their relaxation and enjoyment In melodrama than "Darkest Russia," which is now In Its seventh consecutive year of presenta tion. It is a melodrama of the most pro nounced type, full of thrills of scene and situation, with plots and plotters a plen ty, and yet withal It has more of comedy than is usually allotted to plays of its kind. The scenes are all laid in the domain of the great White Czar, and. in part. Illustrate the Siberian convict system. without which no play of Russian polit ical life and affairs would be complete. "While the question of Nihilism plays an important part in the play, It is not the sol clement, for there are a Jove story and an abundance of heart interest, the foundation on which successful dramas are built. Mr. Edwin C. Jepson, who will present the piece at Cordrays, claims to have a company of players of even excellence, and says tho play will be well staged. AT THE METROPOLITAN. Robertson' Comedy, "Caster" "Will Be the B1H This "Weelc. Tomorrow (Monday) evening the stock company at the Metropolitan Theater will produce F. "W. Robertson's fine old English comedy, "Caste," originally brought out in London by Toole, and which has at different times been played by almost every comedian and character actor In the United States. Mr. King plays the part of Eccles. He has made the character one of his favorlto imper sonations. The plot of "Caste" hinges on the love affair of an aristocrat and & young lady who, with her sister. Is on the stage as a dancer. The father, who Is a drunki ard, is supported by the girls. The aris tocrat, D'Alroy, played by Charles Welch, marries" Esther, one of the dancers, played by Miss Adams, against the wishes of hl3 mother, the Marchioness de St. Mulr. After the marriage D'Alroy is called away to join his regiment in the Indies. Polly, tho sister, contents herself with being in love with a simple plumber, whom she eventually marries. Miss Cooper impersonates Polly, who supplies much of the comedy element of tho piece in the several situations in -which she ap pears. After the return of D'Alroy from the war, his mother forgives her son's marriage with the actress, through tho influence of a eon who hag been born to tho couple. Mr. Beaufort will play the part of Sam Gurrldge, the plumber, who is in love with Polly. This Is the first time Mr. Beaufort win have an opportunity to show the people his capabilities. Of course, everything ends happily. M1S3 Cooper and Miss Adams will sing new songs. Both will be elaborately gowned. PROMISING YOUNG INGENUE. "Miss Pearl Landers, On at Mr. Fravr lcyji Lateat. Acquisitions. Probably few who witnessed pretty, graceful Pearl Landers' assumption of the part of Bess Van Buren, In "The Char ity Ball," by the Frawley company, at Cordray's, last week, are aware that that young lady is a Portlander by birth and has only quite recently arrived at the dignity of wearing long skirts. Yet such la the case. Lillian Pearl Landers, to give her full name, was born In Portland, not quite 1G years ago she will not reach that Interesting ago until January next and when a mere Infant, she was taken by her parents to California, the news papers of which state have since, with practical unanimity, whenever they have mentioned the talented young actress, claimed her as a California product. It was as a child of 10 that Miss Landers made her first appearance on the stage, la a dancing and singing specialty, at the Columbia Theater, in San Francisco, five years ago. She attracted attention by her beauty and grace, and went from tho Columbia to the Tivoll Opera-house, In the same city, where she appeared in the spectacular burlesque of "Ixlon." Soon afterward she played little Meenle, In a revival of "Rip Van Winkle," and then she went on the road as Little Lord Fauntleroy, in the play of that name. Jt was in this that she first becamo well known to the theater-going public of the Pacific Coast. She was declared by com petent critics to be the equal of 'any Fauntleroy on the stage, not even ex ceptlng Elsie Leslie herself, the originator of the role, at the Broadway Theater, fn New York. Returning to San Francisco, Miss Lan ders appeared at Morosce's and other playhouses In that city, and at the Mac donough Theater, in Oakland, and finally went out with Stockwell, in Hoyt's play, "A Midnight Bell," as the schoolgirl In that production. At the expiration of Stockwell's eight months' season, which ended in Portland, she joined the Fraw ley company In Los Angeles, and has been with Mr. Frawley over since, under a three-years' engagement Mr. Frawley regards Miss Landers as ono of the most promising ingenues on the boards, and has entrusted her with various Important roles during her con- Popular With the People. Brothers in Exile. Two Nights OnlyESt March 20-21 GRAND PRODUCTION OF A GREAT PLAY.... THE BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL ROMANCE INN MME. Gadski ONE GRAND BY MADAME GADSKI, Prima Donna MR. DAVID BISPHAM, Baritone MR. WALTER DAMROSCH, Musical Director Under the Direction of C L GRAFF Prices will be announced Miss Georgie Cooper Miss POPULAR PRICES Evenings, 15c, 25c, 35c and 50c Matinees 15c and 25c nectlon -with his company, the most Im portant perhaps being that of Bess Van Buren, In "The Charity Ball." It may bo mentioned, parenthetically, that Pearl Landers -was selected by the late Mayor Sutro, of San Francisco, as queen of the May festivals In that city, three- years In succession. "TOII-GATE 1ST!" THIS WEEK. fold-Tim Colonial Play to Bo Pro duced at the Marqnnm. "Toll-Gate Inn," an old-time Colonial drama, will be given nt the Marquam Grand next Tuesday and Wednesday even CORDRAY'S THEATER ONE WEEK, COMMENCING TONIGHT -MATINEE Edwln C. Jepson Presents the Greatest Success of the Present Decade Interpreted by a PEERLESS COMPANY and Staged With Most Elaborate Detail. A Heart Story Deftly Woven With Clean, Bright, Wholesome Comedy. Ixiwer Floor 30c and 75c DRIPFC Balcony Circle 50 Loge Seats 75c and $1.00 rnil.LJ Family Circle and Gallery... .23 Next Attraction : BOSTON MARQUAM GRAND " Toll Gat Inn Is & delightful, -wholesome play." St. Paul Dispatch. "It Is aa Ingenious story that Interests tha heart without offending tho head. The slags Investiture and the costumes, perfect In every reepoct. rtvive many details agreeable- to the American eye." St. Paul Ploneer-Preas. Special Announcement The Great Musical Event of the MR. DAVID I! The Greatest Wagnerian Artists in the World Bispham OPERATIC Thursday Evening, March 22 In Monday's papers. ETROPOLiTAP THEATER ONE IN Laura Adams NEW SONGS ings. The play is said to be a fascinating story of Puritan days. In the mountains of Vermont. Founded In the Revolution ary spirit of 1777, it seeks to give a picture of rural simplicity and Continental patri otism in which love and valor are told of In pretty prose. The scene Is laid at Bennington, Vt., at tho time of the Battle of Bennington, and tho Interior of the old "Toll-Gate Inn" is shown In tho first act. The play has been described as a comedy drama, but It Is claimed that It Is, In reality, a refined and pleasing melodrama. The plot hinges on a. forged letter, addressed by a spy and containing the Information that Ned Pen nington la a spy. The real spy attempts Sunday, March 18 SATURDAY- LYRIC OPERA COMPANY GU.YlNHOLlG,Mgr. A Story of "Ye Olden Timsa" A Tale of Gen, Stack's Fam ous Green Mountain Boy. A splendid Cast A Car load of Scenery. Beautiful Stage Settings. Direct From Phenomenal Success Throughout the Lar ger Cities. PRICES Lower Floor, ex cept last 3 rows, (LOO; last 3 rows, 75c; Balcony, first 6 rows, 75c; Balcony, last 6 rows, COc; Gallery, 25c Seats now on sale. Season MR. WALTER mrosc Da CONCERT PROGRAMME Embracing all th Operas of. "Wagner's Nlbeluns'en lUnjr. Das Rheingold Mr. Blspham, as Alberlch Die "Wallrnre Madame GactsM, as Slegllnda and Brunnhllde Mr. Blspham, as "Wotan Blcsrfried Madame GadskI, as Brunnhtlda Mr. Blspham, as Wotan ' Golterdammera n gr Madame GadskI, as Brunnhll&s Mr. Blspham, as Hagen Sale of seats will begin Tuesday, March 20 ROBERTSON'S WEEK COMMENCING SATURDAY, AT 2 P. M. to deliver the note, but is frustrated by a half-breed Indian, who administers a sleeping potion. Hester Pennington, tho hero's sister, unconsciously delivers tha note, and which puts her brother in dis grace. The Colonel of her brother's regi ment discovers that he loves Hester, but honor forbids that he release her kins man. The situation becomes thrilling In tho last two acts, and, of course, all end9 well, after a four days season of sus pense, heartache and trials. The piece la said to bo staged In a per fectly accurate setting. The Interior of "Toll-Gato Inn" appears to be true to tra dition and history, as do all the other stage pictures, costumes and uniforms. JOHN F. CORDRAY, Manaoer 'D5hOOT! March 1 9