THE SUNDAY 0REG02JIA1?, PORTLAND, OCTOBER- 2, 1904.
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IT would be difficult to conjure up a i
more varied theatrical offering than j
Portland luxuriated In last -week. Trag
edy, comedy, melodrama, bucolic drama
and musical comedy.
The Marquam gave Its patrons "Sweet
Clover." Adelade Thurston's old vehicle,
early In the week, and for the latter half
"San Toy," the big Anglo-Chinese pro
duction. Cordray's gave us "The Hills of Cali
fornia," a standard popular-price play,
combining the features of pastoral com
edy and melodrama.
At the Columbia there was "The Jilt,"
a delightful English comedy with- a racing
motif.
Melbourne MacDowell and his company
closed a brilliant season of Sardou at the
Baker, the final bill being "Theodora."
The Lyric, Bijou, Star and Arcade of
fered vaudeville, Vhlch In some Instances
was above and In others below the cus
tomary standard at the continuous
houses.
"NIOBE" AT THE COLUMBIA.
The Storied Statue Comes to Life
Sunday Afternoon.
For the fifth week of the season the Co
lumbia Stock Company will present the
laughable comedy entitled "NIobe" (all
smiles) written by Harry and Edward
Paulton.
The authors have taken the mythologi
cal story of Pygmalion and Galatea, and
on this theme have built a farcical com
edy, rippling with merriment and spark-
line with lauchter from start to nnisn.
The Plot deals with the tribulations and
misadventures of "Peter Amos Dunn," a
retired merchant, who is having his resi
dence wired for the Introduction of elec
tric licht.
The electricians, their work not quite
completed, quit for the day, leaving a
coil of wire wound "round the feet of the
life-size statue of "NIobe."
The Dunn household, with the exception
of the head of it, leave to attend a the
atrical entertainment, and the old gentle
man is left alone In the house. When
darkness comes, the electric current is
turned on at the power house, it fills the
wire that the workmen have carelessly
left, and the marble statue thrills with
life, becomes a living, breathing being.
The complications that follow may be
more easily Imagined than described in
the brief space allotted here. William
Dills will appear as-"Peter Amos Dunn.
Edgar Baume as "Charles Griffin," a
man about town; Miss Cathrinc Countiss
will be the "NIobe." and the other mem
bers of the company will be appropriately
cast. Doubtless the week s bill, "Niobe,"
will prove one of the most "Stimulating
and entertaining offerings of this splendid
stock season the Columbia is giving.
The following is the cast:
Peter Amos Dunn William DHU
Corney GrUfin Edgar Baume
Jefferson Tompkins Donald Bowles
Phlnneas Innlncs ....George Bloomquut
Mr. Sllox Gtorce B. Bcrrell
Henry Scott Seaton
Carrie Dunn, wife of Amai Kitty Francis
Helen Griffin Edith Angus
Hattle Griffin LouIm Brandt
Beatrice Sllox Marian Barhyte
Miss Mlfton Roy Bernard
NIobe Cathrlne Countlsa
Period The pretent.
Place Jfew York.
Scene Drawing-Room in Dunn' House,
irom inree maeront points or view.
"THE SIGN OF THE FOUR."
Sherlock Holmes Play Opens at the
Baker Today.
The forthcoming engagement of "The
Sign of the Four." which appears at the
Baker Theater all this week, beginning
with the usual matinee today, Is arousing
considerable Interest.
The dramatist has revised the story and
has made more out of It than a mere de
tectlve adventure. He has written In a
love story, and has introduced some
charming comedy. As a play. "The Sign
of the Four" rushes along with a closely
knit plot, not only untangling the skein
of criminal clews, but also rolling up a
double skein of love affairs. Doing this,
thrilling stage pictures shift rapidly. The
characters are picturesque.
The pictures show the uncanny East In
dian dwarf creeping in the window and
murdering a miser as he gloats over his
treasure: a beautiful woman playing a
double role of guardian to the heroine and
as a vlllalness; and police scenes galore.
Tha Hindoo khltmutgar, tho piratical
looking convict with a peg-leg, the
Thames character; and Wiggins; the street
boy. with his "Irregulars." are all good
stage characters. The whole play Is a
thing to see and enjoy, not to criticise.
If one has a fondness for detective sto
ries, he can do no better than go and sur
render bis entire admiration for Sherlock
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selves lucky that he Is to make his reap
pearance here in euch a- part. Clara
Blandlck. a. handsome and talented act
ress. Is Mr. Bellew's leading woman, play
ing Gwendolyn Conron, the girl who loves
the Irresistible Rallies In spite of the lit
tle Irregularities concerning Lady Mel
rose's 5100,000 diamond necklace. Hattle
Russell. Beverley Sltgreavee. Olive Wynd
ham Mlgnon Beranger, Stanton Elliott,
Frank McCormack, Frank Connor and
Starling Gates round out the excellent
cart. Seats are now selling. Carriages at
10:55 o'clock.
VARDE AND KIDDER.
the Czar's army, who Is also a powerful
MiMUcf- fnrumlra.ttir- Stuart In his mimic
character assumes the character of Olga's,
brother and protects her through thick
and thin. Their adventures are uiniuug,
nut- etvn ?rtr!nir the environment, they are
not Impossible, and. the play works itself
out to a satisfactory end; that Is, Stuart
doffs as soon as may De tne assumea
fraternal relationship and becomes the ac
knowledged sweetheart of Olga.
"By Right of Sword" is beautifully and
elaborately staged, the full equipment
being brought here in order to present the
piece with the same care as in New York
City. (
the management promises to do so.
Every act new, including the illus
trated ballad singer. Thomas W. Ray
will be succeeded by Harry Hoyt, tha
organ voiced baritone, who has aroused
tremendous entnusiasm in musicai cir
cles vherever he has been heard. He
will appear for the first time with the
new bill tomorrow afternoon. The life
motion pictures of the Russo-Japanese
war should also prove a great at
traction, being especially timely Just
now.
The big star features of the week,
however, will be the Jupiter Trio in
their remarkably clever comedy sing
ing and dancing sketch: Samuels, the
famous Hebrew comedian; the Carters
in their musical act; the Alcorns intro
ducing their famous original musical
numbers. The. show will be the limit
for excellence and no amusement lover
should miss It. Today's performances
at the Lyric will be continuous from
2 to 10:30 P. 21.
fs "Arrn-RV " AtL 3MLCS
Famous Artists to Appear at the Mar
quam In "Salambo."
m, -nnn nf th pntflhiished stars
who have a bigger or more substantial
following among- local playgoers than
Tvn..iv Warrto nnrl "fv.ithrvn Kidder.
who are to appear at the Marquam Grand
Theater next Thursday, inoay anu oui.
urday nights, October 6, 7 and 8. with a
special price matinee Saturday. On none
of their previous visits, nowevei, m
there been sucn a pronouueeu
tvl. .nrocmmmt .IS on this OCCOSlon.
Curiosity and expectation regarding the
now play, "SaiamDo, wouia accouui ii
.1.1.. .imnif nn oconnnt of the extrava-
gant praise it has earned in other cities.
and also on account oi me inmo ui
great novel on which the play is iounaeo
an, nivntni Hitiiation in the book Is, of
course, the visit of Salambo to the tent
of the barbarian, Matno, wno nas awui..
. w if thi onnortunlty nresents
Itself. This scene must of a necessity be
of Just as paramount, importance m
o if ic n thn novel. To treat It in
Vio onmA manner would. Of
course, be prohibited, but it Is said that
Mr. Stange. who made the dramatization,
while evading the necessity of shocking
uio uuuicuw,
thrilling. In the play it is not so muc
what occurs In tha tent of Matno as u.a
. iku iroiiv -nrhleh results from it.
The audience will naturally look for the
third act. which occurs m iiatnos len-,
- ha Viic- wnp of the olav. whereas It
only leads up to what at the end of the
fourth act Is really tne great cumiu.
the plot. Mr. Worde will, of course, ap
pear as the barbarian warrior. Ma tho.
and Miss Kidder .as Salambo, the high
priestess of Tanlt. the Goddess of the
Moon. ..
In addition to being a thrilling romantic
melodrama, "Salambo" is a glittering,
gorgeous spectacle, its wealth of scenic
splendor being enhanced by what is de
scribed as the most impressive and al
luring dramatic music written in many
years. This music, which includes the
overture and numbers for the entire acts,
represents an entirely original score writ
ten by Henry K. Hadley. Managers Wag
enhals and Kemper have invested a largo
fortune in the production, which will
stand comparison with the biggest show
pieces of recent years. The advance sale
of seats will begin Tuesday, October 4, at
10 o'clock.
RALPH STUART AT MARQUAM.
Favorite Actor to Present "By Right
of Sword."
COMING ATTRACTIONS.
The Wizard of Oz" at the Marquam.
Tho fnmnnn musical comedy. "The Wiz
ard of Oz," will be seen at the Marquam
Grand Theater m tne near iuture.
THE STAR.
The Three Renos, Marvelous Comedy
Acrobats, Beginning Monday.
Brilliant vaudeville beams are shining
each week at the Star Theater. The weeks
ma onri m riitt the Star stoes on stead
ily, presenting the newest and best acts
in vaudeville. Fqr h& week beginning
r ..nh. Villi hni been en-
JXAJUUaj iUUMl j. ...
gaged, brimful of novelties, from, comedy
to musical acts and. great acrooanc j.ea.u
nrlff.il cnnlotv eVfh-
rrvi TiirM Tlpnoi whn head the bill, are
the most marvelous comedy acrobats ever
seen In Pacific Coast vauueviue. xnere
ia ..nf o Ann. -mri-me-nt -while these three
lithe athletes are on the stage. Their act
is Anna ir vurartpr mstume. and their
startling feats arouse not only mirth but
Pringle and Kenwood, two devotees of
the society sketch, on for a merry-making
stunt, whicn tney oo Dnss-y ana cievery.
tjii ar a TViitnn urn two German come-
iiisnii -whnsft tribes and eambols are more
than funny. i.ne jsjamers are uires
omaiona -roirLif act is b. haoDV medley
of songs and dancing. Nick Hughes is an
original monologlst who talks In rag
time. Will C. Hoyt has a new Illustrated
.A.ir "t-vo Mo to Mv Louisiana Home."
The projectoscope has the latest moving
pictures.
Today's show is continuous from 3 to
10:30 P. M-, and the public will have its
last opportunity of seeing the world-famous
balancers, the Klns-Ners, and the
other excellent acts.
THE BIJOU.
THE ARCADE.
New BUI, Brimful of Novelty Acts,
Opens Monday.
Diogenes with his lantern would not
need to search far if he were, looking for
the happy home of vaudeville. He would
go to the Arcade Theater, and be wrapt
in enjoyment over the clean, clever acts.
For the coming week novelty acts that
will entertain the most fastidious lover
of vaudeville have been engaged.
The Three Forrests have won their fame
in the most critical vaudeville centers of
America. Their act pleases metropolitan
audiences, and the ease and grace with
which these artists perform their difficult
acrobatic feats win them lavish applause.
Marshfleld and Harvey, Irish comedians
and clog dancers, make a merry patter
of music-loving leet, wnne ineir aungs
and dialogue are a continuous laughter-stimulator.
Seville and Fagan have a Jolly society
sketch, entitled "Folly's Fickle Fancy,"
which contains Keen wit anu cutting sa
tire. The Jokes are as Keen-eagen as
razors.
The Great Burdlck Is an eccentric illu
sionist, who outrivals all his Imitators by
producing a host ot original enects. xms
ia o nnuoifw nrf that is certain to brine
the Arcade Into high favor. Kate Coyle,
the sweet singer, nas a new mustraiea
song, and tho American bioscope has the
newest moving-picture films.
Today the programme is continuous
from 2 to 10:30 P. M. This Is the last
chance the public will have to see the
funny film "Personal." which Illustrates
the ludicrous adventures of a French
count who advertises for a wife, and tho
other excellent acts.
LACK OF TRAINING.
Holmes. The spectator learns not only to
m..vii f Vi n (nnninr of the character
but to worship him as a magnetic hero.
True a. Jair.cs assumes tne cnaracier ui
Sherlock Holmes.
"The Sign of the Four" is one of those
quaintly new Conan Doyle stories, -so full
of incident and bringing out the wonderful
character of the fabulous detective, made
famous by the novelist. To tell the story
would do to roo tne piay ot its caiei
charms, and the public should seo it to
enjoy the story anil presentation. The
company Is good all through, even to the
supernumerary who only has his few
lines, m ail nonesty, u you nave n
penchant for melodrama of the better
kind, do not fall to see "The sign or tne
Four."
'A ROMANCE OF COON HOLLOW"
At Cordray's Theater Today Opens a
Bright, Crisp Play.
Cordray's Is sure of big business this
TrofV- irtth "A Unmnnce of Coon Hol
low," which opens a four days' stay here.
Starting Wltn tooay s maunec. c-tuya inay
come and plays may go, dux ioon noi-ln-r"
.utm riactlnivA tin run - on forver.
The play deserves its 11 seasons of success
as it Is well written, xne dialogue is
crisp and bright. The situations are in
tense, and several of the parts' could not
be Improved upon. The scenery 13 also
very handsome and elaborate. The first
act. showing a Southern farmhouse by
moonlight. Is . especially attractive, ine
onttnn-nress scene -is one of the best dra
matic situations ever written. "Last but
not least" are the funny durky singers
and dancers, who have always been a
ieature of this play.
Starting'Thursoay nignt, tne same com
pany will give a three days' performance
of a E. Callahan's latest play, "Grand
father's Clock." There Is no living wom
an, no villain trying to kill tho heroine,
no stolen wllL In fact, none of the hack
neyed melodramatic situations that are
becoming so tiresome. If this play makes
the success that is confidently expected it
will be seen In a first-class New York
theater before the close of the present
season.
BELLEYV TOMORROW EVENING
Distinguished English Actor in
"Raffles, the Amateur Crakcsman."
Odd In title, and fully as unique in char
acter and as intense in lntereet, is "Rof
fles. 'the Amateur Cracksman," the play
that will bring tho famous English actor,
Kyrle Bellew, to the 6 la go of the Mar
quam Grand Theater tomorrow (Mon
day), Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Oc
tober -3, 4 and 5.
TST. !. In Vonr "Vnrlt lftt BABQTl &t-
a.v piuj ... a.-..
tmtsi no mnfh attention us this one.
It was riven at the Prlncera and Savoy
Theaters 200 times, and was the only
drama of the year to pass the double
-century mark In the merropoljs. Portland
Will See It JUSt as It was liicaoi.icu
the same splendid cast De.us cmujeu.
The support included no less famous and
capable an actor than E. M. Holland.
Himself a star of the first magnitude, It
Is unusual for Mr. Holland to enter the
company of another star.
"Raffles," ae is generally known, is a
fascinating study In criminology, based
upon B. W. Hornunga exciting series of
n,.viuvici in ttro volumes under
the titles of "Raffles" and "The Amateur
Cracksman." The piay is tne unuuieju
f cor-ir.-.v . MftimM. the central figure
being a gentleman-burglar, a sort of
social highwayman who terrorizes (In a
thoroughly urDane ana rouneum uuuw;
TV.IIfli .ru.tntv '
To stimulate Interest, a detective Is made
one of the leading characters, and this la
.1,- Mi. a -Trw, Mr Mr. Holland. In the
part of debonair, cool and triumphant
Raffles, the dashing xreuew uas uuo u.
the most congenial roles 01 nia career.
and Peruana pi ay got re a&y count ub
t,iv. stuart in "By Right of Sword,"
- fho "Marcusm Grand Theater In
LUUi
the very near future with a success which
astonished and deiignteo. ew ior uur
metro Dolitan engagement.
Star and play made an Instantaneous hit,
all the more brilliant Decause tne present
theatrical season has seen the reverse
-mi-iot ci tars and most nlays. "By
Right of Sword" is, however,, a vital piece
of play-wriung, insunct viui me, wu u.
action and founded on human nature. Its
persons are human beings and not mere
stage puppets. Such a piece carefully pre
sented In the adequate manner afforded by
Mr. Stuart and his company, was bound to
command success In a season of failures.
Ralph Stuarfs work in the play as its
hero and. also Its producer has been uni
versally commended by the New York
Tn fjirt rarelv has a. star met with
such a chorus of approbation. The part
of Richard Hamilton suits mm aomiraoiyi
v.. i thA onim and collected American.
with an abundance of dry humor, which
he brings to the solution of the knotty
nwihim nffnra! nv a. strenuous plot.
When this young American goes to Russia
v.. i n-r.uteY iiv nia-.-L Petrovlch as her
brother, and even after aha Is -undeceived
the resemblance staggers ner. uiga. is in
MnM. nn tnla Vimthpr'o aCCOUnt. SBd
owing to th j2rsCBtloc. of a. la
Pictures of Awful Slocum Disaster
and Novelty in Illustrated Songs.
Vivid, thrilling- and never to be for
gotten are the famous life motion pic
tures of the awful disaster of the burn
ing of the excursion steamer General Slo-
I m These celebrated pictures will be
seen at the Bijou this wees, Deginning
with the matlHee tomorrow. They are
one of the features of a bill that is really
memorable for any tne&ser. ,
The Bijou quartet, four voices tnat menu
nn -aHii -hf. heard in illustrated songs.
A quartet for Illustrated songs Is a nov
elty In Portland vauueviue ana. one 10 u
remembered. Bowens and Mass, dancing
wonders, are specialists ot me mgnesi
grade obtainable. Thla week will also see
the Initial introduction of Hattle Wade
rnv h eiitrhtful Irish comedienne.
The Australian duo, Mansfield and Har
vey, present a wortn-wniie penormance.
During the week every afternoon and
evening. Continuous today from 2 to 10:30.
THE LYRIC.
The Lyrfc Proposes to Excel Even Its
Own Record th Coming Week.
r,,nninc- -naVked them to tha doors
all last week and will do so today,
.f fVio. nf-ar Yill which STOeS On tO-
Ik ejected to do
the same. It is Just a little the best
thine- n tha war of a 'vaudeville pro-
pnmrni. thnt tho Lyric has ever
offered its patrons and since the pub
lie, has learned to expect the very
finest acts which (San be procured re
nnti..a nt pTtnse to the ' manage
for the Lyric to
.'ma-fhinr -rtrn.ordlnarv In the "way
of entertaining- Its patrons this com
ing week. It will be hard tofmprove
jaaiythQnfc yjllch,' clftii iOOJihUbut
Mary Anderson Decries the Lack of.
Intelligent Preparation for Stage.
(Dramatic Mirror.)
The discussion as to a state-aided the
ater still goes on in England, although
with less fervor and fewer participants
than some time ago. It does not seem
to have resulted in anything practical
thus far. either In suggestion or in ma
terial aid. But, like all other discussions,
It will inspire thought, and thought often
leads to results when they are least ex
pected. One of the few earnest persons who
considered the matter wholly without
selfishness was Mary Anderson, who in.
a letter to the Fortnightly Review en
Viiiaioaffl7v Indorsed the idea for es
tablishing a state-aided theater and dra
Tnatic enVionl. Sha holds that both are
needed since the abolition or death of
the old stock system has left no sub
stitute for the training of actors. "While
the stock companies existed, says sne,
"good, honest training was the rulet and
those who were fortunate enough to be
brought up In such companies were gen
erally well-rounded, smooth and pleasing
in taeir worn, even ujuuku liiejr w.a-i uui.
have been brilliantly endowed. Perhaps
they followed tradition too lavishly; but
the tradition was of the best and gave
them, ground on which to stand."
She notes that when first she went to
England as an actress many players with
the stock company training were sun Be
fore the public She was much impressed
by their intelligent comprehension of tho
great dramatists and by the general com
pleteness of all they did. As an observer.
she remarks tnat since tne ueaiu 01 so
many of these older players the de
terioration OI tne AOigU3xi,auiso una uu
very marked, and she says of the younger
and minor actors of the day:
."Many of them seem to have no idea
of the meaning of the great works they
Interpret, apparently know little or noth
ing of swordsmanship or of the art3 of
dancing, voice culture or elocution. They
come upon the stage devoid of equip
ment and dramatic art, embracing, as It
does, all the arts, and used as It is in
many cases either to-show a pretty face,
to gain notoriety, or and this Is the only
worthy object to make a livelihood. As
to realizing the seriousness of their art
as an art, it is sadly evident that this
does not enter their minds, they never
having had an idea or standard set be
fore them. Considering, therefore, the
sufferings of the would-be actor, who
must paint his pictures directly before
the critical public and who, unlike his
brother of the brush, cannot sketch in
or rub out what he has done In private;
considering also what the public endures
in witnessing his blind and oftentimes
frantic efforts at effect, it would, indeed,
be a charity to both to establish a state
aided theater and dramatic school. What
an Incentive' these would be to conscien
tious work! How suddenly serious would
become the great art of acting! Nothing
but good would come of such a venture;
ood to the public, whose amusement