The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current, November 08, 1903, PART THREE, Page 18, Image 18

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THE SUOT'AY OREGONIAN, PORTLAXD NOVEMBER 8t 1903
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IT WAS surely musical-comedy week at
the Martiuam. "With the exception that
they were without their scenery, which
was burned in the railroad wreck, the
"Florodora" Company gave a very satis
factory performance of that attraction.
As of yore, one of the most popular num
bers was "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden," sung
by the charming sextette, and it got, most
of the encores. Philip H. Ryley was fair
as Tweedlopunch, in a comedy line, and
R. E. Graham made a good Gilfain. Isa
dora Rush, the Lady Holyrood of the com
edy, did oxcellont character work, and
sang and posed like the skillful, actress
that 8he Is,
Richard Golden is the hardest individ
ual workor In "King Dodo," and he pre
sents his part on broad comedy lines. He
cannot sing very much, and although his
fun and facial expressions created the
necossary amount of laughter all over the
house, he was more natural in "Old Jed
.Prouty" and "Foxy Quiller." Miss Claude.
Albright, a tall, handsome contralto, made
a magnificent Qucon LIU, and the singing
of A Gertrude Barnes and Daisy Hamlin
was pleasing to hear. Miss Hamlin Is
also an artistic dancer.
As for "Uncle Josh Spruceby," that an
clont drama has not much of an excuse
for living any longer, as played-at pres
ent. It may fare better in agricultural
districts whore people rarely seo good
shows. It was only played one night here
and it was played until 10:30 o'clock.
The Nolll-Morosco Company did a big
business all weok with "Secret Service"
ior their farewell offering. t William Cor
bctt, tlio new leading man, made a mag
nificent appearance as Captain Thorne,
and has a fine voice, figure and manner
quite ar unusual combination, In addition
to his marked ability as an actor. Elsie
Esmond and Frederic Sumner contributed
most of the comedy part, and they acquit
ted -themselves well. One of the best bits
of acting done at Baker's for some time
was the Jonas of H. S. Dufileld. Miss
Kcmblc made a charming Edith Varney.
'The Nelll-Morosco Company has left Port
land for Seattle. The company is a capa
ble, resourceful and talented one, and has
.loft behind it many friends in Portland
Cordray's Theater did one of its great
est week's business in presenting Arthur
C Alston's company in "At" the Old Cross
Roads." It is an enjoyable production
i at popular prices, and the company con-
tains good actors and actresses, persons
of talent and experience. The scenery Is
excellent, and it is a treat to watch the
finished, easy acting of James M. Brophy
as Doc Kerr, gambler. Estha .Williams
has a realistic, unpleasant part 'as Parepa,
the octoroon, and, her work stands out
with 1rare fidelity. The male quartet with
this show is an admirable one.
Lovers of high-class Vaudeville all over
Portland are really sorry that the present
season at the Empire closes tonight. For
the last week, the topllner has been Vil-
'mos Tltkary, operatic tenor, and his has
been a very popular engagement, both -to
persons of musical culture, and others.
He certainly has a fine tenor voice, apd
.Interesting personality, and his future
musical career In this countrj' will Do
watched with Interest. James Hennessey
Is one of the best monologlsts ever heard
here, and he and fun are Intimate friends.
Larklns and Patterson are first class in
the singing of coon songs, and Shoenwerck
Is a clever magician. The whole bill is
worth double the price of admission
charged.
It was worth more than ten cents to
seo and hear the pretty Melnott sisters
sing and dance at the Arcade. 'Their
vaudeville work Is of the refined order.
Jack Leonard, basso, Is a welcome enter
alnere and it is -a pleasure to hear, hlnr
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roll out his bass notes, and tell his jokes.
Gus Klralfo is worth seeing In his com
edy Juggling act, and Clemmings and Mc
Allister, black-face artists, have made
good.
FAVORITE COMPANY RETURNS.
"The Dancing Girl" Will Open at the
Baker Theater Today.
Manager George L. Baker announces
the return of his matchless company
from a phenomenally successful engage
ment in Los Angeles. This 'will strike a
responsive chord in the hearts of a great
many playgoers of Portland who have
appreciated the sterling worth of this
excellent organization, and who are proud
of the fine showing made In the south.
For the first week's offering Henry Ar
thur Jones' strong emotional drama, "The
Dancing Girl," has been selected. This
play will allow of the full strength of
the company, and the opportunities for
pretty scenery and costumes are many.
The action of the play Js supposed to
take place on the little Island of En
delllon, then Is transferred to the gay
atmosphere of the London music halls,
and then again taken back to the drowsy
island.
David Ives has two lovely daughters,
one a quiet, simple girl, and the other a
dashing, .sprightly sort 'of girl, who at
an early age tires of the restrictions
placed upon her by her father. Hearing
of the brisk life 'led in London, she seeks
a position In the gay metropolis. Once
away from the protection of her parents,
she soon falls a victim to the wiles of
very clever men, and her honor and prid6
perish. Even then she has the utmost
respect for her parents, and does not
by word or deed let them know aught of
her shame. She visits them once In
every few months, and to look upon her
as she sits in the simple little house on
Endelllon one would never for a moment
suspect that she was the rich, dazzling
creature that had set London in a furore
over her graceful dancing and superb
figure.
The returns to the London music halls,
.wfcere she wins the admiration of count
less thrpngs and the Jove of Valentine
Danecourt. This gentleman has been
ruined financially by the beautiful wom-
l&n, and realizing that Jae Is fast losing
his hold upon her, he asks her to be hl9
wife, thinking that by so doing he will
wash away all stains Incurred by him
and at the same time straighten out the
rather crooked road of the young lady's
life. He Is refused, and subsequently
gives a big dinner with a reception to
follow, in her honor, to mark their faro
well. The irate father, who has followed
his wayward daughter to London, breaks
In upon the festivities, and seeing his
daughter In her disgraceful guise, begs
her to come home with him. Her refusal
and his bitter curse, coupled with her
terrible fall down the long stairway,
mark the close of the Important action.
The death of the dancing girl and a
marriage of the reformed Danecourt
bring to a finale the clever play and
leave a lasting impression upon the auditor.
"SIS HOPKINS" TOMORROW.
Rose Melville at the Marquam for
i Three Nights' Engagement.
"Sis Hopkins" Is the attraction booked
for the Marquam Grand Theater tomor
row (Monday), Tuesday and Wednesday
nights, and again will be seen that de
lightful character actress, Miss Rose Mel
ville, in the title role, portraying the
simple country girl of Posey County, in
Central Indiana, whose eyes are opened
to the double dealing of the world in a
most dramatic manner.
For four seasons "Sis Hopkins" has
swept through the country from one end
to the other and has been tho most suc
cessful of the rural-type plays presented
in the past ten years. So pronounced has
been the success of Miss Melville that
while it was Intended that she should be
seen in her new play "A Hoosler Cin
derella," this season, so many requests
were made b managers for time for this
season that JT R. Stirling, under -whose
direction Miss Melville has become, one of
the best-knowirahd most popular act
resses In this country, decided to post
pona the-new production Indefinitely.
the story of ''Sis Hopkins" Is one of.
sweetest simplicity and gentlest humor.
It tells v of the life, of "Sis Hopkins," -her
courtship bya man "who wants to win her
love that he may despoil her of her land
for the right-of-way for a railroad. Acci
dentally she' discovers his deception and
goes away to "learn to lie and do things
the way the world does, and be like other
people." " x
She comes back the well-gowned woman,
accomplished an3 cultured and a wholly
differcnt "Sis Hopkins" than the one who
said good-bye to her parents and her
rustic sweetheart In the second act. There
Is much pathos In this- home coming.
Quite as much as there is in the scene
wherp Sis discovers that she is not loved;
but It Is not a depressing pathos; It Is
relieved by the exquisite comedy element
which has been scattered through the play
with a master hand, and the piece ends
with a peaceful 'reunion and the perfect
joy of supremo happiness and content
ment. Seats are now selling.
"THE CHRISTIAN" COMING.
Cathrlne Countiss as "Glory Quayle"
at the Marquam.
No announcement this season has tre
ated greater interest among the play
goers of Portland than the statement that
"The Christian" will be the attraction at
the Marquam Grand Theater next Thurs
day, Friday, Saturday matinee and night,
November 12, 1$ and 14. It will be a so
ciety event,' as well as an artistic tri
umph, for the drama appeals to the most
discriminating . patrons of the theater.
"The Christian," however is so admirably
constructed that It Is found of 'absorbing
interest to .all classes and to all creeds.
There Is a vein of religion In the play, but
it is not such, as woujd, offend any one,
for It is of a liberal thought, a wider hu
manity. People do not go to the theaters
to. be sermonized, and .this fact was re
alized by Hall Caine when he adapted
his story to th'estage.
The story of "The Christian" Is familiar
to Hearly all of the reading public, for It
attained a circulation as a novel which
few books of modern times can boast of.
The novel has been the talk of two con
tinents, and the play has won the highest
compliments as a literary addition to the
stage. There Is action, loye, romance,
heart Interest and clever dialogue In "The
Christian," and It may well be said to be
fascinating. The play Is In a prologue
and four acts. The action Is shown first
In the Isle of Man, whore Hall Caine
was born, and afterward in London In a
music hall and in a mission chapel in
the slums. This gives the scenic artist a
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rare opportunity to- display his skill, and
the settings of the prologue, showing the
ruined castle at Peel, with a lew of the
coast of the Isle of Man in the distance,
Is one of the most beautiful sqenes pre
sented upon the stage In many a day.
Mr. Caine undertook the dramatization
of the novel himself. As he was moro
familiar with the characters than any
one else, he consequently has given to
the world the greatest dramatization of
the book that could be made. His Glory
Quayle,. lovable and willful. Is the same
as ever, but John Storm, the man who is
almost a religious fanatic In the book,
is a more reasonable and attractive char
acter in the play. Among the many stir
ring, soul-lifting, blood-curdling situa
tions In "The Christian" none will be
found of greater dramatic strength than
the one wherein Stprm enters the apart
ment of Glory and bids hqr prepare for
death, as ho intends to murder her to
keep her from the contamination of the
world. He warns her to say her prayers,
tand he encircles her throat with his
hands, and is on the point of strangling
her when the woman's quick wit saves
her life. In feverish anxiety and impas
sioned speech the young and beautiful
girl reminds him of their childhood lovo
for one another, and so works upon his
mind that he relinquishes his purpose.
Another scene of dramatic genius Is
where a mob attempts to capture the vil-'
lain, but are held back by John Storm
and Brother Paul.
Throughout the play the attention of
the audience Is riveted upon the stage,
and never for a moment does the Interest
lag. Glory Quayle will be Impersonated
by the beautiful Cathrlne Countiss, and
John Storm by Asa Lee Willard.
"TENNESSEE'S PARDNER."
Today's Matinee Is Last Performance
of "At the Old Crossroads."
"At the Old Crossroads' will be the
matinee hill at Cordray's Theater today.
Commencing tonight, "Tennessee's Pard
ner" will replace It. There are few au
thors who possess the faculty of blending
the elements of humor and pathos so hap
pily as did th late Bret Harte, and few
to whom the art of expression came so
easily and spontaneously. Bret Harte's
romance of the mining camp made his
name a household word with the English
speaking race. 'Tennessee's Pardner" is
one of his most popular stories, and will
be presented by Arthur C. Alston at Cor
dray's Theater all this week.
One need only witness the production of
this charming play to be assured that it
does not depend on the popularity of the
novel for its success. It Is strongly writ
ten, and possesses sufficient merit to en
able It to be its own champion. It Is told
In a pleasing manner by a company of
uniform excellence; the characters are
drawn from real life, and the language In
which It Is told Is good, idiomatic Eng-
1 llsh with here and there touches of poetlo
beauty. The love of a good man for the
woman with a past is strongly set forth,
and not less touching j her love for him
a love that awakens In her a desire to
atone for her past by an honest life In
years to come. Equally felicitous Js the
portrayal of the friendship that had ex
isted for a long time between two men
and Into which she brought the first dis
cordant note. There Is a happy feature
introduced in the naive artleasnees of the
orphan, "Little Tennessee," her love for
her "daddy" and for the man she chooses
for her "pard." The comedy element is
enjoyable, and the production has so
many good things about It that It Is no
e-saggeratlon to declare It one of the- best
comedy-dramas eyer given to the tage.
Estha Williams heads the splendid cast,
and Is well supported by James M. Bro
phy and an evenly balanced company of
unusual talent. The American Four Quar
tet will be heard In new sentimental and
comic songs.
NEW BILL STARTS MONDAY.
Arcade Theater Signs Star Vaude
ville Attractions for This Week.
The past week has been notable at the
Arcade Theater. Continuous Vaudeville
has come, been seen, and ha3 conquered,
as no othqr attractions have conquered
Portland before. Today will be the last
opportunity to see last week's bill. In
cluding Clemings and McAllister, eccen
tric comedians and vocalists; Jack Leon
ardt stump speaker and basso; Connor
and Somers, newsboy singers; the Mel
nott Sisters, pert.soubrettes In a song and
dance act; and Gus Kircfo, the jaunty
juggler. .
One of tho best vaudeville shows of
the season, both as to quantity and qual
ity, will be offered at this home of re
fined recreation this week, beginning to
morrow. It will be headed by a novelty
act entitled, ''The Great Two and One
Half." Henry De Grau Is "the prime
mover in this conspiracy to beg, borrow,
and steal laughter from the public. He
has a better half that also 13 not loth
to face the critical public on this charge.
And there is a third member of tho firm
that Is more daring than either, the In
fant De Grau, who earns applause as
easily as other babies earn spanks.
Have you ever heard a girl baritone?
If you have not. jou have a new sensa
tion to experience. If you have, you
have yet to hear Virginia Hayden. A
slight, girlish form trips on the stage,
and when she starts to sing tha audi
ence is startled to hear not a mellow
contralto, but a deep, rich baritone that
makes any man In the front row- envious.
There are musical geniuses like Mo
zart and others like Mozarto. .Mozarto
is coming to the Arcade Theater thl3
week to perform musical pranks on all
kinds of queer Instruments. The .stran
ger the instrument, the more music Mo
zarto produces.
One of the most Important announce
ments this week Is that L. C. Lamar
is one of the new entertainers. He is
unquestionably one of the cleverest mon
ologists on the vaudeville stage, and his
act Is brisk and breezy and full of ab
surdly funny incidents.
No one who has seen this week's
bill will regret that the management
yielded to popular clamor and retained
the Melnott Sisters for another week.
These two soubrettes will do an entirely
new singing specialty.
The shows are five daily, 2:30, 3:30, 7, 8
and 9.
The admission Is ten cents.
The new bill starts .Monday.
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
,
"Rudolph and Adolph." '
Next week an attraction at Cordray's
Theater will be the ever-popular German
dialect comedians, Mason and Mason, in
the newest and latest edition of "Rudolph
and Adolph' Since, Its last appearance
here a great deal of (time and money have
been -spent r on this' successful musical
farce, making It one of the most glitter
,lngly bright, brilliant and beautiful pro
'ductlong on the road. The musical num
bers "include all of the latest and most
popular selections, making "Rudolph and
Adolph". a remarkable melange of mirth,
song and beauty. The popularity this at
traction has attained Is not remarkable
Whpn -the merit of the attraction is con
sidered In additldn to Mason and Mason,
the company contains a largo .number of
'clever people and the chorus, lsr noticeable
for Its grace and the beauty and clever
ness of its members.
"Ben-Hue."
Among the most noted scenes in General
"Cew Wallace's religious spectacle "Ben-
1 Hurt" which ,1s announced, for presenta