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