THE SUNDAY" OREGOfcttAfr POOTLXNT, MAT 27, 1900.
dtf
&LdLM
HamsK Katare. .
J Ho vows with all tho cynic's arts
And cayi bo Is blase
But for tho circus straight ho starts
"When tho band begins to play.
Washington Star.
WITH ENTIRE FRANKNESS
"Ik Paradise'" at Cordray's BHffht-
lagr Effect of Theatrical Trnat en
Native American Drama.
the season now ending -a season, of un
precedented brllUancTt both In Portland
end throughout America, generally. It. Is
claimed that never, in our entire history,
have our theaters enjoyed such prosperity,
yet the number of original American pro
ductions shows no such corresponding in
crease. For the policy of the trust Is to
present only such plays as, have already
achieved popularity, or those from dra
matists whose merit has already won rec
ognition. It takes no chances with-unknown
writers. And this means, of
course, that Paris and London successes
are becoming more and more the vogue In
America. It Is plain therefore that the
members of the trust are making money
, It is . spectacular production at times.
according to the favorable press notices
which it has received all over the country,
ewllderlngly brilliant. In the scenic in
vestiture there are presented a Holland
village, the Cafe Eccentrique, St. Peters
burg and the Castle Drachenfels, on the
Rhine. These are the work of H. Logan
Reed, and are said to.be excellent ex
amples of scientific and realistic stage
craft. Some of the results are reported to be
especially surprising. There are appear
ing and disappearing rooms, a catapultlc
drawbridge, a big, revolving stage and a
human windmill. NId and Nod are mls
chievous mute brothers of Gerda, a love-
Thero -was at least one palliating cir
cumstance connected with the Stockwell
production of "In Paradise." at Cordray'a
It was given only three, in place of the
usual eight, performances last week.
Our American cooks have accepted
French bouillon and French fricasees;
our doctors, French auscultation and Pas
teurism, and our women, French gloves,
French corsets -and the-French pompadour,
60, perhaps. It is not unnatural for our
theater-goers to accept French farce. Yet.
under all the clever ensembles, the ludi
crous entanglement of Ideas and brilliant
persiflage of French farce, there is always
a touch of rankness, a sneer at the -homely
virtues and hearthstone honor that of
fends the Puritanism in our blood. Are
we Anglo-Saxons a more consistent and
logical race than our Celtic cousins across
the globe? At least, wo ore clear-brained
enough to see what the French have al
ways been more or less blind to, that there
is no tenable reason why we should net
be as straight and fair In our domestic tj
inour financial dealings.
Food for Thoaelit.
During the three weeks engagement of
the Stockwell company, at Cordray's, there
were three performance of the French
farce, "In Paradise"; nine of Plnero's"
clever and clean English comedy, "The
Magistrate." and 12 of "Uncle Tom's Cab
In" a. play that, as a work of dramatic
art, has little or nothing to recommend
It; its powerful hold upon the public lying
in its appeal to our feelings of patriotism
and humanltarianlsm, and our instinctive
love for freedom. That a hackneyed
American play, built on a great theme, to
be sure, but almost devoid of literary or
dramatic merit, can thus hold its own
against a brilliant French farce and a
bright comedy from the pen of the clever
est English playwright of the day, cer
tainly furnishes food for thought
The demand of tho -people for native
American drama was never so strong as
It Is today, and the opportunity for Its
proper development was perhaps never
bo small. It looks. Indeed, very much as
though our enjojment of purely Ameri
can plays will. In time, be confined to
those of a past generation, or to the ef
forts pf the little group of Amencah
playwrights who have already achieved
reputation in their dramatic ventures.
For the struggling, untried American dra
matist is Just now, as everybody knows,
being snubbed in rather unkind fashion
by the theatrical trust.
continuance of the libel suit bejrun two I ln a. ema" way to PPse it by the for
years ago by the trust against Harrison
Grey Flske. editor of the New York Dra
matic Mirror, is practically a confession
of moral weakness on the part of the
syndicate. But apart from th!s. It merely
serves to emphasize the dangerous as
cendency the trust has obtained over the
so ob, till each circuit is completed and the
girls are clothed ln light As a fitting
tableau, the 16 garlands, of roses and
violets are illuminated from top to bot
BLANCHE ALDIIICH, LEADING LADY IN "THE HEAL WIDOW BROWN."
tL1 expense of th0 American play- j ly maiden, who Is being pursued by Wart-
wright.
Portland and other
Coast cities have
burg, a Jettatori, or a man with an "evil
not escaped the clutch of this powerful , fye'" whose very eIance ls bla"ns In
trust any more than the cities of the East. lts effects uPn every one falling beneath
Here, as elsewhere, efforts are being made lts baneful influence. How Gerda Is res
in a email way to oppose it by the for- cued by NId and Nod and an American
.luiiuuu una encouragement oi stocK com- lounst ana now warthurg ls thwarted and
panies. These are apt to bo more or lees finally punished by being pushed off the
poorly equipped, and therefore are not al- earth ls the burden of the story of "The
ways able to adhere to a high standard I Evil Eye."
of art. Yet. at the some time, they are There is nothing to complain of In the
striving to maintain, often against great composition of the company. It includes
odds, that spirit of Independence and ner- comedians, dancers, slnmrs nnd mrnimin
American public, and the utter helDless- I naL freedom tha dear to every . specialty performers. Al H. "Wilson, the
ness of those who oppose It. Most of the American heart- MERIWETHER. German comedian, assumes the principal
4mrn,"tn4- tltAn.AM ,..-..-.a
....u.lu.. mc-aicia otaiiercu over ino
country are now ln the hands of the trust,
and are not, in consequence, allowed to
present any plays except those on Its
list. Tho leading actors also have hen
j "THE EVIL EYE" AT MARQUAar.
comeay part In the spectacle: Roealre
and Elliott, pantomimists, acrobats and
Yale' Spectacular Prodnctlon to Be I Vod I wLmeetlvriv .THnaAa ...
nin Thi. tv- i . a respectively; Bloodgood Is the bound-
-'- . ITlf- anrt rrmitlrfvir fi..u . .1
a . .vn.viuui, ouuuicuc, lucre are me
Given Thia
"TheEvIlEje; or the Many Merry Mls-
J ft
MISS FANNIE BLOODGOOD, AS ADORA, IN "THE EVIL EYE."
forced, often against their will. Into the
combination. Mrs. Flske. wife of the ed
itor of the Mirror, being the only one of
Importance who still has the courage to
hold out against It.
Fcvr Original Productions.
A practical demonstration of the influ- j
ence this syndicate ls exerting upon thej
American stage has just been given us in 1
haps of NId, and the Weird, Wonderful
Wanderings of Nod" will be the attrac
tion at the Marquam Grand Wednosday
and Thursday evenings of this week, with
Wednesday matinee. The company pre
senting "The Evil Eye" that of Charles
H. Yale Is claimed to be a specially
strong one. The plot, although com
plex, contains many ludicrous Incidents'1.
famous "Phaseys " headed bv Alfred and
Madame Phascy, singers, dancers and mu
sicians, and then there are the premieres
do ballet, seconds, coryphees, figurantes
and chorus, which help so much in tho
making of a great stage spectacle.
In passing, a few words in referenco to
the Phaseys are permissible. Alfred
Phasey is of the Anglo-Italian Training
School for stage-dancing and has charge
of the ballet of "Tho Evil Eve" an segre
gation of young women of shapely forms
whose singing, dancing and drum and
trumpet manipulations are eald to be a
very attractive feature of the production.
Madame Phasey ha& been for a number of
years ballet Instructress under Sir Augus
tus Harris and Colonel J. H. Mapleson,
of Her Majesty's Opera Company, In
London. The ballet girls. It Is claimed,
are graduates of Mr. Phasey's school,
and have toured the principal cities of Eu
rope and America.
An especially notable feature of "The
Evil Eye" ls the electric ballet, which
opens the third act The contrivance
and manipulation of the wires ls a skill
ful exhibition of ingenuity in electrical
effects, the current and power being
maintained by what is known as dry
batteries. In previous ballets whqre elec
tric lamps baie been used there has al-R-cys
been more or less danger caused
by the current, whether alternating or
direct, which has usually been taken from
the main feed wire that enters tho the
ater, and ln dancing these wires have had
to be handled by a reel, by drawing in or
paying out as the various figures In the
dance determined. In the electric ballet
of "The Evil Eye." which is the inven
tion of Mr. P. M. Armstrong, for manv
years assistant electrician of the City of
Chicago, the trailing wires and genera
tion of the current from dry batteries
has been done away with, and with In
creased effect and absolute freedom for
the dancers.
There are IS girls In the dance. Red,
blue, green, yellow- and white Incandes
cent lamps of one or two candle-power
are affixed to the costumes in various
ways so that, when lighted, they show
an illuminated buckle, an Illuminated belt.
Illuminated collarette, etc Attached to
each dress there Is a system of tHi-
I which are controlled at will by an im-
aecee Keyooara. operated like a piano,
each key denoting a special wire ln each
girl's dress.
The dance, or ballet, ls given with what
might be termed a "May pole," only In
stead of the pole being placed on th
stage, it drops from the flies, and gar-
lunas oi roses Drancn out from the great
tree, so that there ls one for each girL
As she runs to grasp her garland, she
fixes a catch to her wrist, which forms
the connection, and then tha Illumination
begins; first, lights appear at the waist,
then at'the buckles, then on- tbo head, and
"THE REAL WIDOW BROWN."
FHBKakcr Will Occupy Cor dray 'a
Stage This "Weelc.
Unlooked-for complications frequently
arise, when people, fired with love's young
dream, forsake a congenial partner,
through the mediumshlp of the matri
monial papers. This Is what happens to
"the Widow Brown," a character ln a
clever farce by that name, which will be
the bill at Cordray's Theater for the
week, "beginning tonight. "The Real Widow
Brown" is a clean, farcical play, bubbling
over with bright music, witty dialogue
and clever specialties. It enjoyed a run
of 100 nights at the Standard Theater, New
York City, and has been well received
wherever presented. The story covered by
the play is as follows:
Deacon Hiram Goodman, an elderly gen
tleman, chances to pick up a matrimonial
paper, accidentally dropped by one of his
daughters. Having a penchant for
widows, he notes the advertisement of one
charming, of course, and possessed of
wealth. He Immediately corresponds with
her. She replies that she will visit him.
In the meantime his two daughters have
become enamored of two young men. Their
father is not pleased with his daughters'
selections. To prevent the advent of a
mother-in-law ln the household, Charlie
Ward, the younger daughter's lover, dis
guises "himself as the WJdow Brown. Sub
sequently, the elder daughter's lover im
personates the deacon. Neither ls aware
of the deception being practiced by the
other. This assumption of the character
of Widow Brown is Intended to disgust
the father of the girls.
When the two assumed characters meet,
many laughable complications ensue in
rapid order. The old deacon, returning
home, ls confronted by his double. He ls
finally made to believe that "he has been
Intoxicated, and this leads to a general
mlx-up. At this Juncture.-, the real Widow
Brown arrives, and proves toTe a hand
some, dashing woman. Before she can
make herself known to the deacon, his
double confronts her. He falls ln a vlo.
lent fit. Believing the bogus deacon to
be the real one, she leaves tbs house. A
man servant, by his absurd blunders,
creates no end of trouble. A mlschlef
maklng maid and a German baron, who
also seeks the hand of the real Widow
Brown, together with a number of other
characters, comprise the dramatic per
sonae. The company Includes some of New
York's funmakers. Of these may be
mentioned: Hal W. Brown, formerly with
Hoyt's successes; "Joe" King, an Eastern
actor of note; Charles W. Barrlngton,
known as "the human orchestra," from
his ability to imitate various musical In
strument; Frederick E. Beane, formerly
of the Lyceum Theater Stock Company,
New York; Edward Clark, once of the
"14S2" and Willie Collier companies; Miss
Blanche Aldrlch, prima donna soprano;
the Mullahy sisters, Louise Henry, Miss
Francis Rice and others.
At a recent presentation of this play at
ls Angeles, the Herald of that city said:
"For the people who only care for the
theater as a means of affording them a
good, hearty laugh, 'The Real Widow
Brown is something they will be sure to
enjoy. The plot of Th Real Widow
Brown' is ingenious, and its Inspiration
appears to have been derived from
'Charley's Aunt,' which, in turn, was
doubtless taken from something else.
Therfris much good fun in the piece, and
the performers gave effect to all there
was In It. The first act particularly was
distinguished by -what in the profession'
is known as 'ginger,' and it went with a
speedy gait, bringing the curtain down
with loud applause. There Is a clever little
girl, who shines as a contortionist. In pet
ticoats, besides doing other things. The
introduced acts, which are of the vaude
ville pattern, are up to an average standard."
OLYlNNEHICMar.
MARQUAM GRAND
oLWiieuaisR
i
"A
Two Performances Only KSSSsmy May 28 and 29
DUNNE & RYLEY'S
Comedy Festival, With an ALL-STAR CAST, Presenting
Chas. H. Hoyfs Play
RAG BABY
95
A Superb Comedy Organization, Including
MATHEWS & BULGER
MARY MARBLE
WALTER JONES
XOR3IA WHALLEY
GEO. F. 3IARIOX
MATTDE CuURTXEY
PHILIP H. RYLEY
BESSIE TANKEHILIi
TONY HART
LOUISE ROSA
LOOK AT
THE NAMES
HELLYN ESLEB
JNO. W. DUNNE
MARION GUNNING
ETHEL KIRWAN
GERTRUDE WOOD
THE EIGHT MASCOTS
ENGLISH DANCING GIRLS
THE PONY BALLET and
WISEMAN'S KALE SERENADERS
A LARGE AND EFFICIENT CHORUS
O. L. MAYHOOD, Musical Director
-NOTB.-Dunn & Ryley's All-Star Cast is en route to San Francisco, and Is especially organized for a 10 w-
engagement at the California Theater, where they open June weess
PRICES
Lower floor (except lasts rows) $1.50
Lower floor, last 3 rows 1.00
Balcony, first 3 rows , 1.00
Boxes and Loges.
Balcony, second 3 rows 75
uaicony, last 6 rows....... ,...
Gallery
$10,00
g Seats Now Selling
.25
Special Announcement
Engagement Begins With a . . . .
DECORATION DAY MATINEE A,so WednesMd 3a$dJdhu3rf day N,9hts
The Reigning Spectacular Sensation of This Century. With 50 People and Three Railroad
Cars of Scenery First Time Here of
--
HOYT'S "RAG BABY."
Dunne ana Ryley's "All-Star Cast" at
the Marqnam.
Mathews and Bulger, with their "all
star cast," and under the management and
direction of Messrs. Dunne & B.yley, will
bo the attraction at the Marquam Grand
Theater tomorrow and Tuesday evenings,
when they will present Charles H.
Hoyt's "A Rag Baby." Tho company has
been playing to a good business, since Its
organization for a 10 weeks' season at San
Francisco, en route to the coast from the
East, and has some well-known play
ers among its people, several of whom
have been at the head of their own com
panies. It promises a complete production
of "A Rag Baby" here, the cast of which
Is as follows:
OJd Sport, tho local pride. & Kentleman en-
amcred of sporting life Harry Bulger
Tony Jay, a rich jounff man....,
t i;V": J- Sherrle Mathews
Patrick Flnnlgan. an a erase policeman.
and Michael Sheedy, a dude tramp....
"-"-.- Walter Jones
Harry Tounghmband, a new father, and
James Maglllahosarty. a rough tramp.
and Lulgl Buon Compapne. an Irish
musician Philip H. Rjley
Dennis O Brlen, an Italian musician, and
Fred Barbour, pharmacist Tony Hart
Bt. Clair Flaherty, a specter tramp, and
.P,tr 50b. ,-V -drew Bode
Christian Bcrrlel. a. wealthy undertaker..
t ;"-".; - Daid Andruda
xsvmx ucjueia, n. marna man .............
"'' Nicholas Sebastian
Dr. Tombs, tu doces. etc.. Geo. H. Wiseman
Venus Grout, a rougrh diamond.. Mary Marble
Clariette Fay. a belle of the boarding-
,.. "cJi001 Maude Courtney
Miss Pratt, principal of boarding school, and
Mrs. Maglnnls. an Italian musician..
T A:--,- ;v,:"'ii- Bes?Ie Tannehlll
Lou Clark, one of Miss Pratt's- trials....
Alice BerrlelV"cnristlVn'3 wife." "and Jessie
Richmond, another trial Ethel Klrsran
Mrs. Gaffleld. a better half.... Marlon Gunning
HandODme, the homeliest dog alUe..By himself
JOIIN DREW C03UNG.
"The Tyranny of Tears" at the Mar
innm Next Week.
Charles Frohman's "The Tyranny of
Tears," with John Drew In the cast, will
ijVY-
CHAS. H. YALE'S
MASSIVE. MARVELOUS MECHANICAL, SPECTACULAR ROMANCE
THE
rrti&G7?M
FANNIE BLOODGOOD.
KflnlXnA,
VIL iPl
9 m 1 dHHipii IMP?
OR THE
AX. H. WILSON.
Many Merry Mishaps
OF NID
And the Weird, Wonderful Wonderlngs
OF NOD
The entire production In Its entirety. No
omissions or substitutions. The same as given
at. the- .principal $1 CO theaters throughout tho
country. With a wealth or New and Startling
Features, Specialties. Ballets. Songs, Tricks
and Costumes. Gorgeous Scenery, Original
Music. Special Features.
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT FROM THE
ALHAMBRA THEATER, LONDON.
. . . THE GREAT PHASEY TROUPE . . .
It's the limit ln all spectacular offerings this
season. "A "WONDER."
Note. Owing to tha extreme length of tho
production, the curtain will rise at 8 o'clock.
Under the Management of the Author, SIDNEY R. ELLIS
INTRODUCING
Al. H. Wilson
Fannie Bloodgood
Rosaire & Elliot
The Famous Phasey Troupe
THE BEWrLDERING ELECTRIC BALLET
THE HUMAN "WINDMILL
THE DISAPPEARING ROOMS
THE CATAPELTIC DRAWBRIDGE
FVFNINfi hVer fl00r ?i-oo
LJLillMU Balcony, first 6 rows 75c
PRIfR Balcony, last 6 rows B0c'
i iullu.. Gallery, 25c Boxes and loges J7.50
DECORATION DAY
MATINEE PRICES.,
Lower floor (except last 3 rows). ..... ..Too
Last 3 rows soc
Balcony, first S rows 50c
Balcony, last 6 rows ;
Children to all parts of the house 25 Cents
be presented at the Marquam Grand Tues
day and Wednesday nights, June 5 and
6. This play was written by Haddon
Chambers, and ls a comedy o tempera
ment. John Drew Is a favorite with Pa
cific Coast audiences, but New York and
other Eastern cities demand a large share
of his attention. More than half of his
seasons are usually spent ln New York,
and the remainder Is divided between
engagements In Boston, Philadelphia.
Washington, Chicago and other cities. To
meet the demand for his appearance on
the Pacific Coast, Mr. Drew has length
ened hlr seasons, ln order that this sec
tion may bo included In his Itinerary- The
present tour will prove the lengthiest In
his career.
"The Tyranny of Tears" ls the only play
Mr. Drew is presenting this Summer. It
is claimed that It is a strong piece a
claim that appears warranted by the faith
which Charles Prohman and the star both
have In it. Mr. Drew has a good support.
Including such people as Arthur Byron,
Tarry Harwood, Frank E. Lamb, Isabel
Irving, Ida Conquest and Georgle Men
dum. The cast Is" the complete and orig
inal one, as ls also the production.
STOCKWELL OX TOUR,
Mr. Stockwell will give his production of
"Uncle Tom's Cabin" et Vancouver,
Wash. Tho two weeks tour will be as
follows:
Vancouver, May 23; Chehalls. Wash.,
May 23; Aberdeen, May 30; Hoqulam, May
31; Centralla, June 1; Tacoma, June 2,
and Seattle, week of June 3.
Special scenery and the colored quar
tet will be carried by the company, anf
a complete production of the play will
bo given. After playing Seattle. Mr. Stock-
weii will return to Portland, and will
change to the Clement-Stockwell Com
pany, opening at Cordray's June 10.
STOCKWELL AND CLAY UNITE.
Comedian and Playrrrlght Join
Hands for Theatrical Campalirn.
Clay Clement, the well-known actor and
playwright, who recently returned from
Australia, where he went. as Nance
O'Nell's leading man, has completed ar
rangements with L. S. Stockwell, where
by the two players,' wlllsjar; jointly,
under the name of "T5e Ctein?ntSt6ckwell
Company," on and. after June 10. when
the new organization will open Its sea
son at Cordray's Theater. "The South
ern Gentleman," a strong play of the
South, written by Mr. Clement, and that
author's greatest success, "The New Do
minion," which Mr. Clement has plajed
In all the large Eastern cities, will be
produced daring the week. Mr. Stock
ened, and a theatrical and artistic treat
should be ln store for local olavroerR.
After Its Portland engagement, the com
pany will go to the Seattle Theater, Se
attle, for three weeks and will then play
toward the East.
"Uncle Tom's Ca"bln" to Go on Road
for Tivo Weeks.
The successful engagement of the
T. T RtriiVTxrlT rVrmnnTur f1ner? of r'ni
dray'fl last night, and tomorrow evening well's present company will be strength-' New York,
GLEANINGS FROM THE WINGS.
Matters of Interest to Playgoers and
Actor Folic.
In the absence of Adeline Adler, Flor
ence Wells, who is- only 16 years old,
played Tirzah ln "Ben-Hur" at the Broad
way Theater, New York, recently, and
gave an altogether pleasing performance.
Miss Wells is also understudy for the part
of Esther, taken by Gretchen Lyons.
Klaw & Erlanger have secured the dra
matic rights to Molly Elliot Seawell'a
new story, "The House of Egremont,"
which will shortly be published by the
Scrlbners. The arrangement of "The
House of Egremont" for the stage will ho
made by William Young, who dramatized
"Ben-Hur."
Clay Clement's work with Nance O'Nell,
as that actress' leading man, ln Australia
gained him many favorable criticisms
from the Australian press, and his ap
pearance ln Portland ln his own plays,
with Mr. L. R. Stockwell, on June 10, Is
awaited with Interest.
General Lew Wallace received over 0,
000 as royalties during the six months' run
of "Ben-Hurr" at tho Broadway Theater,
People Popular Playhouse.
CORDRAY'S THEATER
JOHN F. CORDRAY, Manager
One Week ?Sr,n9 Sunday, May 27, Matinee Saturday
Usual Prices
A. Q. SCAMMON'S COMEDY COMPANY
Presenting a Comedy That Causes Incessant Laughter
Usual Prices
THE REAL WIDOW BROWN
As Played One Hundred Nights at the Standard, Theater, New York
PURE IN TONE . j
BRILLIANT IN WIT
LIVELY IN MOTION
CATCHY IN MUSIC
BRIGHT IN COSTUME
GRACE IN DANCING
- A VEiN;OF HUMOR DIRECT FROM THE
FOUNTAIN OF FUN
SPECIALTIES BY
HAL W. BROWN Parodies
C. W. BARRINGTON The Human Orchestra
EDDIE CLARK An Odd One
JOE KirtG Germany's Troubles
MISS ALDRICH Soprano
THE MULLALY SISTERS Acrobatic Dancing
OUR MOTTO Nothing too
good for the public.
Positively the greatest laugh
maker ever brought to
the Coast.
ELEGANT IN SCENIC
ARTISTIC IN ACTION.
ENVIRONMENTS
What the Press of the Country Say:
Herald. Los Angeles, CaL:-" The
Real '"Widow Brown" Is a comedy that
every one will enjoy.".
Tribune. Chicago. 111.: "It should be
one of the .greatest laugh-provokers of
tho season." ' -
Examiner, San Francisco, CaL: "The
plot of 'The Real "Widow Brown Is
Ingenious, and the play contains much
fun."
Times, Los Angeles, Cal.: "The vau
deville acts Introduced are all of a.
high class, and of as large a variety
as seen upon an Orpheum stage."
.
.--
itoi&j-
SlwMiii.