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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1902)
20 THE SUNDAY OREGOjtfLAJS, PORTLAND, AUGUST 24, 1902. A bit earlier than usual, tha last week in August marks the opening of two Portland theaters, while the third announces Its Initial performance next Sunday. Bookings for the eeason have been more than ordinarily numer ous, and there will he few nights in the next eight months when the local theater-goers cannot have a choice from the hills of three playhouses. AT THE MARaUAM. fTho Tlvoll Company "Will Present Three Choice Operas. Tomorrow night at the Marquam The ater, San Francisco's favorite opera com pany. The Tlvoll, will open the season's attractions, presenting Victor Herbert's delightful opera, "The Serenade." Tues day night the same bill will be presented. Wednesday and Thursday nights "The Idol's Eye." Friday and Saturday nights and Saturday matinee "The Toy Maker." Ferris Hartman la again appearing as the star comedian, and his support Js en tirely adequate. Annie Myers, the clever soubrette. Is again with the company, and wlH have some good parts in the operao to be presented. Frances Graham, famous as a contralto singer all over this country, and who has sung with great succcct In Paris and London, has been especially engaged for the tour. Arthur Cunningham, one of the finest baritones on the comic stage, and an immense fa vorite In San Francisco, and Edward "Webb, the light comedian, who Is un doubtedly as good in his line as can be found In the realm of comic opera, are again in evidence. Karl Formes, Jr., whoso character comedy impersonations always receive recognition, Is also among the number. Bertha Davis, a promising young soprano, Is another, and Oscar Lee, Tom Guise, Fred Kavanagh, Almee Leicester have Important work to do. A large chorus of pretty girls and talented men are with the company. The operas have been selected from the vast repertoire of the Tlvoll Opera-House, and three strqnger attractions could not be offered. "The Toy Maker" was a great hit wherever It was performed last year, and has had a recent run at the home house. "The Serenade" is the Bos tonlans' great opera, and the Tlvoll Com pany Is the only one besides the Bostonl ans that has given the great Smith & Herbert success. "The Idol's Eye" la the Tlvoll record-breaker, having scored a run of 10 weeks at Its first presenta tion, and two long runs since. All the scenery has been especially made for the road productions. Magnificent costumes are worn in every opera. Popular prlcc6 will prevail during this engagement, and Saturday matinee will be made a special one for the children, when each ono attending, will be given a toy. CORDRAY'S OPEXIXG TONIGHT. 'The Tide of Life," a Modern Meloc drama With Sensational Incident. Tonight the season at Cordray"s popu lar playhouse opens with a new melo drama. "The Tide of Life." It is a play of strong human interest, and treats of a young girl who has been stolen from a luxurious home when a child. The true nobility of her nature shines through the sordid and wicked surroundings in which she finds herself, and when at last she is restored to her father, it is as one who has retained all that is good and noble In womanhood. There is a startling cli max that has the rare merit of novelty. In It electricity Is employed. A villain who Is better out of the way, anyhow. Is electrocuted on a live wire somo 20 feet above the stage. In full view of tho audi ence. He jumps from the second story of an ofllce building in his flight from justice, and clutches at a trolley wire. There he hangs with flashes of steely light from all parts of his body, and the hissing and crackling which tells of the deadly work of the electric force. It Is a weird, powerful scene, and one that the spectator never forgets. Another climax is where a young girl Jumps from a high bank upon the top of a fast-moving freight train, so that she may reach a certain place in time to pre vent a murder. "The Tide of Life" does not depend upon Its realism for success, however; it tells a touching heart story, and abounds in wholesomo humor, set off with singing and dancing as well. All the scenery, mechanical and elec trical effects, especially prepare'd for this production, are new arid complete. The management promises completeness of detail that will be a surprise. The ad vance sale Is large. NEILL STOCK COMPANY. Opening of the Season at The Baker Theater Next Sunday. Rehearsals have begun for "A So cial Highwayman," the opening play of the Nelll Stock Company, which makes Its permanent home at The Baker Thea ter this season. "A social Highwayman" will begin next Sunday afternoon and run all week. A new play will be pre seated each week with careful attention paid to every detail. A first-class compa ny or piayers nave been engaged and there Is no doubt that Portland theater goers can look forward with a exeat rlpni of pleasure at tho coming season of The .Bauer Tneater. Robert Morris, who is the stage director of the company, has had 12 years' experience, seven years of which he has spent with James Nelll. Mr. Morris has a reputation of being one or tne best stage managers In America. Mr. Morris in epeaking of the company, said: "I am more than pleased at the way the company shows up. "Wo have had two rehearsals of 'A Social Hlsrhwavman.' and I was very much surprised to see everybody appear yesterday letter per fect. Mind you, I did not give out the parts until Thursday. This incident sim ply shows that thev have a wonderfullv quick study. Another pleasing feature of tjus company as tne pnysique. xou, no doubt, have noticed in some companies that the leadintr man vas G feet G and th. leading lady 4 feet 6 or vice versa. It is my opinion we nave a company tnat can present any style of play and give an en tirely satisfactory production. We have verv larze comnanv numbering 17 Teo- ple making one of the most complete siock companies in tne united states." SHIELDS' PARK. A "Cannon Kins;" Head the List of Attractions This Week. ; The season at Shields' Park Is rapidly drawing to a close. Business has been phenomenal all season. Manager Shields is highly appreciative of the success of his place, and ho proposes that ills I- HARTMAN, COMEDIAN" patrons ehall have something out of the ordinary the remaining weeks. The sen sational topllner for this week is John Holtum, the "Cannon King." Captain Holtum has. a long and varied history. He is 57 years old, and has traveled all over the world, giving exhibitions of skill and strength. Tho feature on which his great reputation rests is the catching of a cannon ball fired from a cannon by real powder. The genuineness of tho per formance is witnessed, by innumerable clippings from papers all over the world. Among these are descriptions of his ex hibition before Victor Emmanuel, Chan cellor Bismarck, the Nizam of Hyderabad and other personages. The Captain has given his exhibition at very theater, playhouse, garden and amusement ground In the world, apparently. He-has many Interesting stories to tell, and many fun ny incidents to relate about others who have foolishly tried to emulate him. To a close observer Captain Holtum, whose title was gained in the Danish army. 1b a wiry man, with muscles like steel at a high tension. He bears the' marks of many escapes from death, and it is only by watching the supreme nervous poise of the athlete that one can reconcile one self to his story. Captain Holtum car-; ries a watch presented by tho grandfather of King Humbert, of Italy, and has let ters patent from the British crown. In 1S67 he was in Portland, and he vows that at present he does not know the town. The cannon that he uses in his performances was taken from tho Rus sians in the Crimean War. Notwithstand ing Its history, this cannon was used in his exhibition before the Czar of Russia. In his scrapbook there is a most comical cartoon of Prince Bismarck trying to catch in true Holtum stylo the cannon balls of tho French. This cartoon was published in a German paper at the time of Captain Holtum's performances in Berlin, and shows that at that period the brave Dane was a prominent figure. In addition to this wonderful act, the terpsichorean Queen, Atlantis, makes her first appearance in Portland in a novel and picturesque fire and serpentine dance. Sho carries numerous colored lights and effects. Mallard brothers, a clever team of song-and-dance and banjo artists, make their initial bow. Leonard & Leonard, the odd musical duo, who made such a pronounced hit tho past week, are retained, and new pictures on tho poly scope, along with new Illustrated songs, round out a lengthy bill. The Japanese acrobats return next Sunday. MANAGER BAKER'S PLAN. Tells Why He Secured Lease on Old Tabernacle. What is to be done with the Tabernacle at the corner of Twelfth and Morrison is a question that has excited inquiry among many people. Tho Tabernacle was recently leased by George L. Baker, man ager of the Baker Theater, and he has been heretofore somewhat reticent as to his plans. Yesterday he gave out the I following statement for pubUcation: "I have not fuUy decided In Just what manner to make use of the Tabernacle," he said, "but you may rest assured that I have not secured tho old seat of amuse ment just to allow it to continue Idle. My first Idea Is to make It a permanent part of the general amusement estabUsh ment of Portland, and to that end I have been joined by Manager Calvin Hellig, of the Northwest Theatrical Association. We both find that wo are unable to take care at our respective houses of all attractions that offer, and for which we find that 1 there is a real demand in Portland. We , ehall either remodel entirely tho old -building and make it commodious and 1 comfortable, or we shall erect a new the ater building. So much may be regarded as certain. "E. W. Houghton, official architect of . the Northwest Theatrical Association, has : already been in Portland and has pre pared plans for renovating and remodel- . ing tho Tabernacle. Mr. Houghton has built a theater In each of tho cities of Butte, Spokane, Helena and Seattle, and . is now building another at Falrhaven, Wash. Wo have not yet definitely adopted j his scheme for remodeUng, because, as I have said, we are seriously thinking of arranging, for the construction of an en tirely new theater. We 'shall definitely decide this week. If we do not. we shall expect to expedite repairs so that we can engageln this coming season's business. "As the pubHc Is already well aware, tho Baker Theater will be occupied during the entire season by the Nelll stock com pany. Now, It Is obvious that thero Is a placo in Portland for the popular-price attractions of the class I have heretofore played at the Baker, and which now will have to go elsewhere. I find, too, that many patrons of tho Baker are anxious to attend moro than one theater In a week, and by this plan they may be accommo dated at the Tabernacle. An alternative scheme has been to Install vaudeville as a permanent feature, and this may be done. While In San FrueJ5Co recently I J was approached by a well-known theatri cal manager who wanted to ors&nlzo 4k .V 0 r 3 II BCsHBHKn'l is k sBBsDT i . t HUH I I HssbsKbssssHbsHbssssscsssssG I "f '. eJ 1 "------ ' ' L&OHARX Ql LSOKAKD. AJ SHIELDS PARK Coast vaudeville circuit. Exactly the same proposition was made to me In Los Angeles. If we accept one of these of fers the public may be assured of a high class attraction of that kind. In any event, it may be regarded as assured that the Tabernacle Is now In the local amuse ment field to stay." Next W;clc at Cordray's. For next week, commencing Sunday. August 3L Manager John F. Cordray has engaged the Belasco-Gcorge Juvenile specialty company a coterie of young sters who arc heralded as having won derful musical ability. A special featuro is a uniformed brass band. Retnrn of the Pollards. The Pollard juvenile opera company, which recently made such a hit in this city, wul return in the very near future. with several new operas added-to their repertoire. PLANS OP WELL-KNOWN STARS. Most of Them Have Nctt Plays for the Coming; Season. Judging from the reports so far re ceived thero will be quite a number of important new plays offered during tho coming season. The number of playa which aro either dramatizations or nov els, or at least based upon such, will bo unusually great. Another remarkable fact Is that many prominent stars have decided to revive old In many cases clas sicalplays, including several rarely pro duced plays by Shakespeare. Maude Adams has expressed tho inten tion of reviving "As You Liko It" and to play the part of Rosalind in that de lightful comedy. Viola Allen, supported by E. J. Mor .SCENE FROM" THE gan. E. M. Holland and Frederick de Belleville, will appear in the principal part of "The Eternal City." which Hall Caino has dramatized after his novel of the same name.' Ethel Barrymore will, play the leading part in "Tho Flirt," an adaptation by Clyde Fitch of Alfred Capus comedy, "The Rural Postmistress." Blanche Bates is to appear in a new play by Bclasco. the name of which, has not yet been determined cr announced. Kyrle Eellew will continue to star in the romantic drama, "A Gentleman of France." Amelia Bingham will go on the road In "A Modern Magdalen," adapted by C. Haddon Chambers from tho Danish play entitled "The Jensen Family." Clara Bloodgood Intended to star in Mrs. Ttyicy's "The Grass "VVidow." but may change her plans owing to the small success which the play had in London. Mrs. Patrick Campbell has not yet de cided upon a repertory for her contem plated second tour through the United States, and Is said to be on tho lookout for one or more suitable plays. , Mrs. Carter Is booked for a tour through several large cities, playing in "Du Bar ry." and -later la the season will go to London with Belasco's production. "William H. Crane made uch a hit in "David Harum" last season that ha will continue to tour with that play In the Middle and Western"' states. Dan Daly was reported to be on a still hunt for a new comedy, but as nothing has been announced as to his success. It Is probable that he will continue In "The New Yorkers." The same may be Bald of "Frank Daniels, who will continue In "Miss Simplicity," ono of the comedy hits of last season. John Drew has made no definite an nouncement yet, but it Is believed that he will appear in one or two new play3 which Henry Arthur Jones Is writing for Charles Wyndham. J. E. Dodson will star with Annie Irish in a new play by Mrs. Cralgle arid Ed ward Ross. Eleonora Duse Is "booked for an exten-r slve tour through the principal cities of this country. Sh will appear in a reper tory of four or five plays, Including Ga briele d'Annunzio's "Francesca da Rlmlnl." Robert Edeson, who had such remark able success In Augustus Thomas' "Sol diers of Fortune," during tho last season In New York, will continue to star in that play. Maxine Elliott was to have starred in dependently during .the coming season, but according to recent announcements, eho will probably play with NatXj. Good- vwmm ) v UDE OF TTTRV win, her husband. In an adapatatlon of Mrs. Ryley's "Tho Altar of Friendship." Mrs. Flske will play the leading part in an adapatatlon of Paul Heyse's "Mary of Magdala." William Faversham will introduce him self during his second season as a star In 'the principal role of a dramatization of Gilbert Parker's "The Right of Way." Eddie Foy is announced as the star of "Mr. Bluebeard," a new English panto mime which Is to be introduced here. William Gillette is booked for an Amer ican tour In "Sherlock Holmes," but has also the ambition to appear in the tltlo role of "Hamlet." Lulu Glaser made such a decided hit In "Dolly Varden" that she will retain that comic opera for another season. James K. Hackett wNl Introduce hlm eelf in Winston Churchill's "The Crisis," which was given Its first performance In Pittsburg a few months ago. Virginia Harned, supported by Hilda Spong and others, will star in -Plnero'a "Isis," which met with success In London last season. Martin Harvey, tho English actor, will make a tour of this country and appear in "The Only Way," "A Cigarette-Maker's Romance" and other plays. Charlre Hawtrey, another English ac tor, will appear in "A Message From Mars," ono of last season's London suc cesses. Anna Held will probably continue to play the star part in "The Little Duch ess," but may change her plans and go to Paris. De Wolf Hopper and Digby Bell will appear together In a comedy by Cnnrles Klein, based upon Dickens' "Pickwick Papers." May Irwin may nppear In a new farce comedy by Glen McDonough, which haa not yet been namd. Louis James and Frederick Warde will Jointly appear in a revival of Shakes peare's "The Tempest." Herbert Xclcey and Effie Shannon will be tho stars In a company which Will tour in "Sherlock Holmes." Mary Mannering and nrobahlv Gustav j Salvlnl will appear in an a3 yet unnamed play by Clyde Fitch. Richard Mansfield has premised revivals i of "Julius Caesar," "Othello" and "Tlmon of Athens. Julia Marlowe intends to bring out an adapatation of Catulle Mendes' "Queen Flametta." Rose Melville will continue to star in "Siis Hopkins." Jessie Mllward Is to make a tour with a new play by Captain Marshall, in which she will play the leading part. Eleanor Robson has not deckled whether sho will appear in Mrs. Humphrey Ward'o dramatization of "Eleanor'' or In Mary Johnson's "Audrey." Stuart Robson intends to revive "The Comedy of Errors." Ada Rchan will make her appearance in a play based upon George Meredith's "Diana of the Crcssways." The Rogers Brothers will make a tour In "The Rogers Brothers lit Harvard." a new musical comedy by McNolly. Annie Russell la to appear In the lead- Ins part of "Mice and Men." a play by Mrs. Ryley, which met with great suc cess in London last season. Otis Skinner will-appear in "Lazarrc." a dramatization of Mary Hartwell Cather- wood's novel, by himself and Aubtej Bonclcault. E. H. So them is booked fcr a tour lu It I Were King." and will also appear In a revival of Hamlet." Jerome Syktf and May Robson will be the Btars of & company which will tour with a production of "The Billionaire," also known under the name of Xhc Money Burner." Elizabeth Tyree will make her appear ance" In the principal character In George C Hazleton's "Captain Molly" ana wm star In "Gretna Green" and perhaps an other play, which Is to be a dramatization. of "Monsieur Martin." James O'Neill will appear In a now melodrama based upon a Russian thetnS. James T. Powers is to bo tho star of a new musical comedy which Paul West is said to be preparing for him. Banche Walsh has chosen btanisiaus Stange's adaptation of "Salammbo' for her play during the coming season. David Warfield will again do seen m "The Auctioneer." Walker Whlteslda will produce a new romantic play entitled "In Days of Old, When Knights Were Bold." E. S. Willard will appear in a new play, the name of which has not yet been announced. Francisco Wilson will appear in "Tne Toreador." GRIZZLY MASTERED LION. The Kins of Beasts No Match, for Shnssy Bruin. Washington Post. The relativo fighting qualities of the African Hon and the grizzly bear of the Rocky Mountains has always been a topic of much interest and discussion," said, a Westerner now in Washington. 'Owing to their geographical location and mod ern civilization, probably no ono ever pic tured an actual contest as taking place. Yet for tho first time in recorded history such a one. did take place in recent years on the very border of the United States, and I had the good fortune to bo a specta tor. I was in Galveston, Tex., at the tlma that a combat between a gnzziy bear and Numidlan lion would como off in liiu uuu iiun at iuuui&iwi ... , the Clncho de Mayo (5th of May). Thi3 Is the commencement of the Mexican na tional holiday. It lasts a week, and com memorates the birth of the republic. It is a time of great festivities and is much like our Fourth of July. "I have killed a number of bears and know how formidable thoy are. It had always been my contention that the griz zly was the superior animal irom tne standpoint of force, and an opportunity to vindicate my ideas was not to be missed. So overcoming a natural repug nance against such a spectacle, I imme diately pulled out to witness tho outcome. On my arrival at the city I learned the full particulars. Flaming posters every where announced that Colonel E. Daniel Boone, 'America's greatest showman and animal trainer,' would glvo an exhibition on the following day In which old Parnell, an African Hon, weighing 550 pounds. would be pitted against a 650-pound grizzly bear. The .Hon. It was stated, nad Killed two of his trainers during a performance on tho Midway, San Francisco's mid winter fair. "I learned tho history of both contest ants. Tho Hon, besides having disposed of two trainers, as was buUetined, had also killed three 2-year old -stcera for practice. Tho bear, on the other hand, had never killed anything, and didn't know his own strength. So, although hav lng tho advantage In weight, he was com paratively inoffensive. This Inequality vra.9 a grcas handicap to bruin. "Three o'clock tho -next afternoon found mo at the bull ring looking down ! upon a large circular lroh cage In which bruin was already confined. The boister ous Mexican audience a restless kaleido scopic mass of mostly red, white and green, which are the national colors dis turbed him greatly. This was easily seen by his constant nervous tramp around the cage and an occasional sniff and growl. "Old Parnell occupied a smaller and separate cage. He would now and then give a long-drawn but suppressed roar. which plainly indicated that ho better un derstood what was about to take placo. "The details of the sceno I shall never forget. Tho day was hot and opresslve. WITH THE NEILL WILLIAM BERNARD. The above is' .an excellent likeness ot William Bernard, a member of tha Nelll Stock Company. This bright young actor began hta dramatic career In -Australia, traveling through India, China -and Japan. He w&3 net at the Adelphl Theater In London for thr ee years, and then ono year with Mr. and Mrs. KndaL After a year in South America, he returned to England to nil a stason's engagement. He then roturned to Australia for a year and a halt and at ''the close "of the season went as leading- man for two years in South Africa. He was nest engaged by Frank Sanger to come to America from Australia, after which he was for two years with CharlM Frohman In "The Masked Ball" and 'The Sporting Duchess." Mr. Bernard was with tha original production of "What Happened td Jones." In April. 1808. he went to Australia as stage manager and light comedian In a "Trip to Chinatown" company. At the conclusion he remained as stage manager for Miss Nance O'Neill, return ing to America when, she sailed for South Africa. Last season Mr. Ber nard wao a member of the Grand Opera-House Stock Company., in San Fran cisco. Coincident with Colonel Cody's (Buffalo Bill) visit to Portland it i3 perhaps worthy to note that Mr. Bernard made the original production ef th "Battle of San Juan Hin" at Froctors Theater in New York City. Most of the outfit used in tie same production with the Middle West Show was used in the original' attraction In which Mr. Bernard played the part of Colonel Roose velt. Tho Nelll Stock Company opens It3 engagement at tho Baker Theater next Sunday afternoon. High mountains surrounded the open wooden lndosure. The sun beat hot upon the sands of the arena and upon the lss fortunate of an eager, excited audience not protected by tha shade. Everything was In striking contrast, it seemed to me, both brute and humanity. "At a signal from Colonel Boono the trapdoor leading from the lion's compart ment of the larger cage was sprung. The king of beasts seemed reluctant to commence the attack. But finally, after being prodded and goaded for that pur pose, he sprung with a mighty leap and a terrific roar at bruin's throat. The lat ter stood erect and received him la his arms, evidently with surprise rather than anger at the onslaught, as he made no Immediate effort at attack or defense. "Simultaneously with tho impact the Hon locked his hugo jaws on the fleshy side of the grizzly'3 head. They stood erect, swaying to and fro In a mighty strugglo for 19 minutes by actual count. The Hon during this time was using his claws with terrible effect. He ripped and tore deep gashes in tho hide of his enemy, and seemed bent on carpeting the cago witn rur. Old bruin finally caught the Idea that ho was being dealt too much grief, and that something must be dene in self-defense at least. Evidently acting on this thought, he reached out with his powerful arms and enfolded his antagon ist with a Herculean hug. I could heat the bones cracking. Old Parnell let go his hold with a roar that seemed to shake the bull ring, and bruin hurled him to tha ground with a beautiful half-Nelson that would have dono credit to a professional wrestler. "This put a quietus on hl3 belligerent majesty. Prod, hot iron, and other de vices were used to no purpose. He could not bo aroused to further display of fury and ferociousness any more than ho could be gotten to bis feet. "In tho meantime Ephraim had resumed his restless walk around tho cage as though nothing of any moment had hap pened. Ho did not even deign to notice so contemptible a foe, but accentuated his contempt by repeatedly walking over the fallen monarch as though ho wera nonexistent. "This stato of affairs was suddenly broken into by a second call from tho bugle, which, under Mexico's extraor dinary law, was notice to Boone to bring his Hon to tho scratch. Every known means was unsuccessfully appUed to that end. Tho Hon would not show fight. "The audience by this time was in an uproar of excitement and rago. Jeers, epithets and threats wero howled from all sides, and Boone was In Imminent danger of being mobbed. When It is advertised that a thing will be dono in Mexico, It must be accomplished or serious conse quences almost always result, both from the law and .the peoplo. On account of this lamentable display of gameness on the part of tho king of beasts, poor Boono was placed under arrest. Repeated de mands were then made by the audience for the return of the admission fee. Not until after this was complied with by tha management did the rage subside." Morsct Vita. TJnder the roots ot tho rosas, V j Down in the dork, rich mold. , Tho dust ot my dear ono reposes Liko a spark which night Incloses 'When tha ashes of day are cold. Under tho awful wings "Which brood over land and sea. And whoso shadows nor lift nor flef- Thls is the order of things. And hath been from of old: First production. And lost destruction; So the pendulum swings. "While cradles are rocked and bell3 aro tolled. Not under the roots of tho roses. But under tho luminous wings Of the Kins of Kings Tho soul of my love respose3, "With light of morn in her eyes. Where tho vision of life discloses Llfo that sleeps not nor dies. Under or over the skies, "What Is it that nover dle3? Spirit If such thero be "Whom no ono hath seen or- heard,- j; - We do not acknowledge thee: J"or. spoken or written word. Thou art but a dream, a breath; Certain Is nothing but death. Richard Henry Stoddard. STOCK COMPANY