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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 1902)
18 THE SUNDAY OHEGONIAN, PORTLAND, APRIL 3, 1902, the daring ride up the gorge, "which closes the fourth act. Is one of the most exciting and realistic scenes ever pictured on any stage, -while the splendid setting of the third act showing the apartments of tho Princess Corona, -with a view ot the city in the distance, and Jho fatl moon burst ing through the gorgeous clouds of an African nght and sparkling on the -water, Is so beautiful as to bring an exclama tion of delight and a burat of applause from the audience. Equally Interesting is tho scene In the barracks, showing life in an Algerian camp and closing with a thrilling and inspiring situation the at tacking of tho city by the Arabs, and Cigarette's rallying of the soldiers. Hoist, d on the shoulders of the men, she wavea the beloved flag of France, and inspires them on to victory. The last act portrays a scene familiar to army men, but almost incomprehen sible to outsiders the shooting down of a soldier by his own comrades ono of the most cruel acts of discipline 'known to modern warfare. In "Under Two Flags" it is a brave and noble man condemned to this Ignominious death through the villainy of his commanding officer. As Bertie Cecil stands calmly facing the muskets of his comrades and awaiting tne command which will send him to his death, brave little Cigarette rushes in and, throwing herself upon fois breast, receives the bullets Intended for the man she loves, and expires in his arms a true little soldier and a loving woman, to the last. The entire Btory of this -wonderful play Is intensely interesting, beautiful in its coloring, and thrilling In its climaxes. Not for one moment is the interest allowed to wane. The part of Cigarette Is one which calls for great versatility and affords Miss Shir ley more scope than any in which she foas appeared, In this city. She portrays to perfection tho "child of the army," with her many moods of laughter, hatred, re- learn that Daniel Frawley and his com pany will commence an engagement of Ave nights iiext Friday evening at tho Marquam -rand. The play announced as the opening bill is Augustus Thomas' comedy-drama, "In Mlzzoura," The bai in the following manner: "The Liars," by Henry Arthur Jones, Is the bill for Saturday night; "Secret Service," "William Gillette's well-known military play, is the production for Monday night and "Wed nesday matinee; Tuesday night will be de voted to Leo Trevor's comedy-drama, "Brother Officers"; "Lord and Lady Algy," by R, C. Carton, will be the closing bill on "Wednesday night. The following capable company will support Mr. Frawley im his coming engagement! Miss Mary "Van Bufen, Mlso May Buckley, Miss Blanche Douglas, Miss Phcsa McAllister, Miss Christine Hill, Miss Lily Beauscombe and Miss Crompton; Mr. Benjamin How ard, Frank Mathew, J. R. Amory,H. S. Duffleld, "Wallace Shaw, Reginald Travers, Ernest Rlvarzad, Roy Stephenson. "Brother Officers' took the jJublic fancy very strongly -when produced In London, where It continued to hold the stage dur ing a notably long run. Its first American production was in San Francisco, at the Columbia Theater, In August, 1899. It turned out to be as pleasing to American as to English audiences, and Charles Frohman made an event of .its New York presentation, which took place at the Em pire Theater during the following Winter It was warmly welcomed by the playgoers of New York, and it was not taken off until the theater closed for the season, late In tho following Spring. Last season at the same house it was again put for ward and recorded another considerable run. Mr. Frawley -has purchased from Charles Frohman the exclusive "Western rights in the play, -which will take a prom inent place lrr his road repertoire. The story of "Brother Officers" is di rect, eimplo and interesting. Its most salient feature Is moral health. There is "Arizona," which appeared at the Mar itjuam early in the week, -was a good play, presented by a good company, a combina tion which deserved more patronage than 2t received. "While all the members of the cast were of exceptional ability, two were of such prominence as to entitle them to ifiomething very near first place In the admiration of playgoers. One was John "W. Cope, whose characterization of the old cattleman was so wonderfully well done, and the other was Frank Campeau, who made of the small cowboy part a character that overshadowed all but old Canby. x As far as It has been tried in Portland, naudevllle has been a success, and there will be many playgoers who will miss It, now that it is to be superseded. The last fblll at the Baker was not so good as Its predecessors, but still It proved entertain ing and the season as a whole has been xtnusually creditable. "Under Two Flags" made a deserved hit at Cordrav's early In the week, and the news that it Is to be repeated will be wel come to all the patrons of the theater. jm f ; 7 hEPsYt JRnBRi iK'v &m!s-jm I ."4l?ts j53IBBBbPsSBBBBtHBB , Wmhwi ffJ' 't iHH KbIf 'BnJm' l"" -4' &EMf- '" V Ej.TY Lm.-t ,- 7&i iBr wiSdl 19 i 5&v vf'fr.C&.?)'X FJiftfjmy SZffrv -Z jBBn&v tv9BBBBBBBBEBBbrf ( fiJ TifiLfj ( " m?f!l i SEMI -- 4. SmT9itfiW WLPi aff y JJIBaBBMR Jt kJWA AT MHHShHBHHHHHHf'ihV a BhHHHk L K.i'50 ''S' SHHHbHHHBu ? HmBhhhVHhbHhhhhVhhhhBv wLlf MtrSSEHHaHHBBK fce leak- Jfe- "wt-tJ yf K i 1 'TIIiBbV ?' ' m i'f JKT "Tt S jC 1akr qHl JBBBSBHBHBHHnRBHBHBBBBGHBBnBBBBBBW niWMBlHff?TKWiBwBMWrBinb HBBBK .Bn PpflMtO V fd BBBBBBBBBHB 3rMT &&SflESBBBSBiS9BflHBH ImSH'5" '? iillfiTf iW-'M'SJewe ShiPley in Under Two FteteYM the First Lancers for heroes," boasts an officer. "Yes, indeed; loads of room," Is I" the unexpected rejoinder. s hundred," says islnty P'eydoll. "In- j the. famous artist, Archie Gunn, and said deed," replies the old Colonel, "I "thought 1 tQ he of striking novelty. The scenery he wan onlv a child. "There la room in is by Ackerman, and is a fine example ance of the repertoire has been arranged r The story Is simplicity itself. John Hinds, a Sersreant. has been given a com mission for bravery in action, and as the play opens he comes to join his regiment. He Is awkward and rough, but he knows he is a gentleman at heart. Ho falls in love with a beautiful and winsome woman, the Baronera Royden, who herself is In love wrlth her cousin. Lieutenant PIcydell, who has been gambling with a sharper and finds himself in no end of a mess. Hinds saves the young man's honor, as he has saved his life before In India. He sees him united to the girl he loves, breaks his cwrt heart to eee happy the woman he loves, and goes out of her life quietlv, manfully, like the gentleman he is. And yet there is solace even in his going. "When Reuben Comes to Town." A perfect and complete metropolitan production has been given their new musical comedy, "When Reuben Comes to Town," by Managers Morris and Hall. The piece, which Is the sole work book, lyrics and music of the well-known musi cal director, Herman Perlet, will be seen for the first time in this city next Thurs day night, at the Marquam Grand Thea ter. The costumes are from designs by of that clever artist's best style. The company has been carefully selected and rehearsed under the personal direction qf the clever actor and stage manager, Mr. "William Morris, and is made 'up of spme qf the best and mbst favorably known comedians and comediennes known to the musical-comedy stage. Among the best-known arer Edwin Nlcander, for merly with Louis Mann and Clara Lip mann; Douglass Flint, leading comedian with "Why Smith Left Home"; Edouard Durand, lato of May Irwin's company; Margaret Sayre, understudy In London for Edna May in "The Girl From Up There"; Frank Beamish, for many years stage manager for tho Charles Hoyt plajs; Henry Miller. E. H. Sothern, Charles Stanley, also a Hoyt comedian; Eleanor Page, "The Telephone Girl," and "Sweet Marie"; Edna HIckey, "A Milk White Flag," "The Casino Girl," and "The Rounders"; Ruby Rothwell, "The Monks of Malabar,1' and "The Princess Chic"; Edythe Gibbons, formerly with Mathews Sr "Bulger, and Dan Daly; "Mildred- Manners. "Tho Cadet Girl" and "Florodora"; Maude Carey, "The Messen ger Boy," and "The- King's GarnTval"; Nellie Victoria, "The Chaperons" and "The Burgomaster" ; Grace Van Brocklin, "The .Telephone Girl" and "A Dangerous Maid.' Girl Singers in Vested Choirs DAINTY MISSES, CLAD IN TASSELED CAP, CAS SOCK AND SURPLICE. "Aathon Hale." "Nathan Hale," the play that made 'Clyde Fitch famous, and which met with such pronounced high endorsement hero 2ast season, comes to the Marquam Grand again shortly. Howard Kyle, who appeared in the title Irole, and gave such an artistically con incln? portrayal of the sublime hero of 7te olutionary renown, and his own sup porting compan, which was noted for general excellence, will be seen to the same fine advantage. Mr. Kle and associate players, since their visit to Portland and Puget Sound cities of importance, have duplicated tho good opinions entertained for their effect 'ie work all along the line of their ex tended travels, "VCmch hae embraced all the principal points of theatrical interests from New England to the Pacific Coast, 'and from the Gulf to the Lakes, and ev en where that the play has been present 'ed, sentiment In Its favor has been fully aroused, in fact not in recent years h,as a dramatic offering of the superior class to which "Nathan Hale" rightfully be longs recehed such perfect ovations as have been accorded in this Instance. It does not require any great stretch of the Imagination to accept "Nathan Hale" within the bounds of reason and natural ness. Inasmuch as Mr. Fitch has depended solely upon historical facts for all the scenes and incidents which give to it such inspiring patriotic color. The character of Nathan Hale, as well as all the leading personages introduced In this drama of remarkable strength and lrillty were takn from, real breathing people contemporaneous with Hale, and who were closely identified with him dur ing the trjlng ordeals through which tho young hero passed from the time he re signed hlsposition to engage In the strug gles for freedom and Independence until the hour of his melancholy execution, which took place at the hands of the British. Even the love episode between Nathan Hale and his sw eetheart Alice Adams, has Leen reproduced with fidelity to folstory, all of which lends an added charm to a play built upon substantial grounds Mr. Kvle has been made several offers to experiment with new plays by noted authors who are anxious to have their works In such capable hands, but at pres ent "Nathan Hale'' bids fair to enjoy an indefinite prosperity and therefore, this most estimable actor has no serious tfiought of shelving It, even for a little while. Tho rosy-cheeked, flute-voiced choris ter boy of pious memory, but of uncer tain habits, who has been a favorite theme with artists as they depicted long processions of white-robed singers slowly and majestically walking along some Episcopal church aisle and singing a familiar hymn, is being slowly but surely displaced, in many instances, by sweeter voiced young women who understand the words they are uttering, havo more volume of tone, and whose voices do not "break" at 14 years old and then leavo them for ever. Choirs in which the soprano and contralto are supplied by yovlng women havo been particularly successful in New York City, Philadel phia and certain Western cities. It can only be a shrt tlm when voung women singers will be valued members of Episcopal church vested choirs along the Pacific Coast. Time was when mala voice choirs were thought to be the correct thing, and some of tho oldfashloned church rectors would have boiled - over with indigna tion had anyone then suggested that girls should be allowed to praise oie The Stuart Company at the Baker. "By Right of Sword," a dramatization of Marchmont's powerful nov el, is the bill selected for the opening of the engoge jinont of the Stuart Company at the Baker Thoater this afternoon. The fact that the play enjoved a long run in Seattle and drew crowded and enthusiastic houses all the time Is proof that the selection Is good As for the company, the announce ment that it Is headed by plav ers of such National reputation as Ralph Stuart and Lansing Rowan is a. sufficient guarantee of Its merit. All the members haVe been especially engaged, and all are said to be In the very highest class of stock actors. In scenery, property, costumes, and. In fact, all appointments, a pro duction is promised the like of which has never been seen at the Baker The ater. The theater force, under the per sonal direction of Mr. Baker, has been at work for three weeks preparing the scenery for the artVst, whose brush has been diligently making the background of the series of beautiful stage pictures which are to be presented during the en gagement. "By Right of Sword', Is a modern ro mantic drama, with a touch of light com edy, a society setting, and a background of political intrigue and military rigor which lends color to the plot, which is one of the most Intensely interesting that have been devised for a long time. Such a play, given by such a company, will not fail to fill the house throughout the weels vS ffus'' "''Vu' i-5L. ff? dYt BYBYBYflHH J il ji3sIbHHbbf i r W..v1BHBBF I f f3 AbbbT l f "BEksBBBT . 1 BrflBW- I I P; dgHBllBBBHBW 1 I Vy 'l4BvBvBVBVBBWBiiMi I yflBBBBBBBBBBBBBjBl I 1 rBBBB&BBRKS'?" 1 UJcBBBBBBBV 1th i I I vpBBBBBBPvf W' I 3St BBBBBBrlA V Vt M-r,rr:err-:.FS.47,',.v jBnr BY RIGHT OF SVORD Jfflt Lord in choirs and places where they Bing, as the prayer book has it. "My dear sir, only males are holy in tho temple," the shocked churchman would have said: Women were graciously given liberty at rehearsals to assist the boys in learning their parts, but on Sundays Were barred from the chancel. But slowly was the influence of the leaven felt. It began to bo admitted that some of those angle-faced "boys with seraphio voices were most difficult to manage, that they shirked rehearsals, that they were often so naughty that their monthly salary as cholsters wa3 eaten up with fines, and that, in short, boys would be boys. They had fist fights and snowball contests, where their voices got hardened and the clear quality of tone tempo rarily spoiled. It began to be more and more difH I cult to secure boys, able and willing to sing alto. In despair, adult male alto3 were sought for and found to be very rare in this country. Though the adult altos were well paid. It was decided that they were, to a large extent unsatis factory, as the tone they produced was falsetto of a curious v timbre, and the effect ludicrous. Many M broad smile went the rdunds of the church or ca thedral, when adult altos sang solos, or took part in duets. Occasionally, a real, adult alto would be found, possessing a beautiful sympathetic quality of voice, but he was Invariably so popular that he did not remain very long in ono choir, as he accepted a larger salary to sing elsewhere. He was a rare avis. Then it was found that the morar condition) of men singers even in cathedral choirs was not what it ought to be. Lit tle wonder. When the Almighty created man and woman he did not mean that they were to be apart especially In music. He created soprano and contralto for women, and tenor and bass for men. Any other substitute is impossible. The broad church faction of the Prot estant Episcopal church In this country; began to ask: When we have so many difficulties to contend with in a male voice choir, why not try a choir of mixed voices, and admit young women Into Choir membership? The High church' faction held up their hahds in holy hor ror, but the broad churchmen went ahead and began to "organize qholrs on the basis Indicated. It was found that It' was easier to manage young Women,' than noisy and impudent boys. In a( vested choir, whdre the singer's gar ments were covered with a black cas sock and a- white surplice, it was de cided that the young women could not and to clinch the claim of the company on I be the attraction at Cordrays Theater for popular favor before the conclusion of the j the week beginning tonight. first act. , Thi3 masterpiece of scenic art caused a ! genuine sensation in Portland, and many "Under Tvo FlnKSi" "Great interest is manifested among theater-goers regarding the return, engage ment of Miss Jessie Shirley In her produc tion of "Under Two Flags," which will were the requests for Its reproduction, the unanimous verdict being that It great ly surpassed anything yot attempted this season. The marrelous sandstorm, followed by venge, coquetry and brave womanliness, while the balance of the cast do full jus tice to their respective parts. Altogether the profluction Is a treat and will undoubtedly pack the house all this week. Daniel Fravrlcy. Local theater-goers will bo pleased t6 none of the miasmatic maundering which so frequently passes on the stage for love; there are no Intrigues, no secret meetings; everything is fair and above board. John Hinds speech, "They say 'all Is fair In love and In war,' and they Ha when the say It," Is a keynote to the play. The dialogue sparkles with a hundred epi grams and witticisms, "My son is one U