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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1904)
18 THE. SUNDAY. OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, DECEMBER 4, 1904. the Play is to begin a messenger walks down the aisle of the theater, mounts the stage, and delivers the prologue. Ac companied by the notes of an organ, monks are heard, chanting in the dis 4 Srs5 m. tance. From majestic distance the voice of the deity is heard calling upon death to summon Everyman to a reckoning. Then the dramatic struggle between Death and Everyman, who pleads in vain to get fellowship, riches, beauty, strength, cousin and kindred to accom- Dani him on his dreaa journey, Degms. The action Is continuous, the play last ing about two hours. Its combination of religious fervor and Intense dramatic qualities make Its appeal universal. The character of Everyman is played by a woman, its intense spirituality being hardly within the reach of actors trained by modern methods. Constance Crawley, the young English actress, who assumes this great role, has created a profound Impression. Only three performances of the play will be given here, as the demands for the company's time are so many that the engagement must he limited. Judg ing from the play's success in other cities. It could profitably be presented here for an entire week. I gtrj. fWFZNf'' ATT2: VST BOVB all else of Importance In the ? past theatrical week was the pro- duotion of "The New Dominion" t hlch the Columbia- players did so ad mirably. It was the best play of- the Columbia season thus far, and it did more to establish the position of Edgar Baume in public esteem than anything that has gone before. The "New Domin ion ' was an artistic triumph for ca'ch member of the cast, but especially was it Edgar Baume's opportunity. He arose to the occasion splendidly and it Is a realv pleasure to give so excellent an actor his wi il-dcserved credit. The M3rfluaxn had three attractions, Thcmas Jefferson in his father's old ve hicle, "Rip Van Winkle," "The Devil's Auction" and lastly, "Who's Brown," with William Morris, a very fine light comedian, as the star. The young Jeffer son as Hip was all that was expected of the man whos chief stock in trade consists of belnr his father's son. "The Devil's Auction" was satisfactory to those who wanted to see "The Devil's Auction," and "Who'B Brown" was good without qualification. At all the other numerous Portland amusement places there was vaudeville as good and in some Instances better than usual. The news feature of the theatrical week was the taking over of the Columbia by A. H. Ballard and George L. Baker's transfer to the Empire, where he will look after the Stair-Havlln attractions. Mr. Ballard's lease on the Columbia Is for a year and the rumors of the closing of the stpck company season are set at rest. TWO noble women of the stage whose efforts have always been for the best in a dramatic way, died last week within two days of each other. They were Mrs. G. H. Gilbert, the oldest of American actresses, " who died at the Sherman House In Chicago at the age of S3, and Madame Frances ca Eomana Janauschek, whose death occurred In an "actors' home on Long Island, at the age of 74. The passing cf these two good and great artistes removes two interest ing and worthy figures from the theatri cal world. They were of the old school and leave but few of their contempo raries behind them. A. A. G. "MISTAKES WILL HAPPEN." Sprightly Comedy Opening Today's Matinee at the Columbia. "Mistakes Will Happen," a comedy in three acts, by Charles Dickson and Grant Stewart, the attraction at the Columbia, beginning with the matinee today, deals with the trials and tribulations of a young actor (Tom Genowin) and his wife, known as Miss Mayland. These young people are secretly married. Tom is also an au thor, but is unable to get any of his plays produced. He meets the wife of the owner. of the house in which he lives and dls overs that she is stage struck, and in consideration of $150 agrees to teach her acting. His wife (MiR3 Mayland) meets the owner himself (Mr. Hunter-Chase) rnd she pleads with Chase to hear one of her plays (really Tqm's) read,' with a view to his putting up the money for its production. .Both couples arrange (un known to each other) to meet in the car i iage-house of Mr. Hunter-Chase, one (the society wife), to learn acting, the other tthe society man) to hear the play read. One couple gets into the hay loft while the other couple remain on the lower floor. Complications arise and are made more complicated by the arrival at the carrlage-hous?, for a rendezvous, of Hunter-Chase's coachman and his German Fweetheart, Linda. Of course everything comes out right. The comedy is a scream from beginning to end. Mr. Baume will play the young author-actor. Miss Coun ties his wife. Mr. William Dills will ap pear as Hunter-Chase, one of those unctu ous "old men" for which he is famous, and Miss Louise Brandt will have the part of Linda, the German servant girL Frank King will paint new scenery, and William Bernard will direct the production as usual. The following is the full cast: T-m Genowin, Loading Man" of the Nov- lty Theater Edgar Baume Mr. Hunter-Chare, who will explain him self...... William Dilla Ylliiam Kawley. Chase's coachman George Bloomquest Toe McCann. a plumber.... Gorge B. Berrell John Q. Montague, manager of the Nov elty Theater Scott Seaton Dorothy Mayland. Leading Juvenile Ac tress of the Novelty Theater Cathrine Counties Mrs. Hunter-Chase, who is so unconven tional Laurette Alien Airs. Price, who takes in boarders. Linda. Kurz, Mrs. Price's" domestic Louise Brandt (Produced under the direction of "William Bernard.) SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY. Act 1. Dorothy Mayland's apartment. Act 2. Mr. Chase'a carriage-house. Act 3. Vestibule hallway at lira. Price's. "DARFCEST RUSSIA" AT EMPIRE First Stair & HavIIn Attraction Opens at Matinee Today. N The opening of the Empire Theater, with the regular line of Stair & Havlin at tractions, under the direction of George L. Baker, will take place this afternoon. The first attraction scheduled is Ellis & Cunningham's elaborate scenic produc tion, "Darkest Russia." At the present time when the eyes of the whole world are turned toward 'Rus sia, the announcement that Ellis & Cun ningham's elaborate scenic production of "Darkest Russia" will be seen in this city will not doubt be re ceived with interest by the theater-going public "Darkest Russia" is a play of great intensity and pictures In colors vivid and startling, Russia as it is today. In it is shown the Iron hand In which the Czar and his menials hold the people In subjection. This remarkable production with its thrilling and powerful scenes, is a masterpiece of intensity, showing, in the four acts, the Russian in the luxury of his Kremlin Palace and the horrors experienced in the wilds and desolation of the frozen steppes of Siberia. The sale of seats for the Empire will be open all day till 7 P. M. at the Dolly Varden candy shop, S27 Morrison street, and after 7 at the theater box office. "SIS HOPKINS" TOMORROW. The Clever Comedienne, Rose Melville, to Present "Sis" at Marquam. "Sis Hopkins," one of the most fam ous plays of the past decade, made so by the exquisite character acting of Miss Rose Melville, will be seen at the Marquam Grand Theater tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday nights. "Sis Hopkins" has been before the public as a play for five seasons now, and each year it has grown in popu larity and become more and more of a fixture as an attraction of great merit and exquisite beauty of sentiment. II has become this because Miss Melville, with rare art, has portrayed th char acter of the simple country girl of Posey County, Indiana, with such fidel ity and truthfulness that one is im pressed with it as a raal character and not a mere stage figure. She loses herself in her part and for the time is what she is supposed to b a girl, oddly dressed in homemade garments: a girl with a mind filled only with thoughts of home and hap piness, who is suddenly brought fare to face with the villainy of the world and whose awakening is one of tb most sweetly pathetic pictures which has ever heen staged. The character of "Sis" Hopkins is essentially a comedy character, but It lacks all those ele ments of forced fun which so often mar what otherwise would be really excel lent stage presentations. Miss Melville's comedy Is of the higher type and is de lightfully naive and unconventional. Of course, as in all well-written com edies, there are love stories running through the play and they are pretty enough in themselves to make the play attractive. One has only to listen to "Sis" for awhile to appreciate tht homely humor of her philosophy, espe cially in that scone where she informs the villain of the plot that "you can't never make nuthin' doin nuthin for no body for nuthin'." Seatsare now selling. JANE CORCORAN-A. ROBSON. Portland Theater-Goers to Witness "Pretty Peggy." Played by Artists. "Byetty Peggy," the romantic play by Frances Aymar Mathews, In which Jane Corcoran will make her appearance at the Marquam Grand Theater next Wednesday and Thursday nights, Decem ber 7 and S, has the highest possible In dorsement as to its merit, for It was one of the most genuinely successful plays that have been produced In Xew York for years. The great popularity of the piece in the metropolis was evidenced by the two engagements at the Herald Square and Madison Square Theaters, of 16 weeks at the former and six weeks at stiua srtUiaiJtliQ latter. Xnainjj the entire runA WA i . s' . v mm v CANT TflZVCB MAfi sis ypKo? 5 ' ' 1 'SIX mi 1 - ? J&JhWmm MM" H fil poSOD great was tha public desire to see "Pretty Peggy" that seats were sold four weeks In advance, and the house was completely filled. It Is said, at every per formance. The same rule- -nrevafled In Chicaffo4 when tfca. plag was presspted for two months, and in all the other Eastern cities. Equal interest has been displayed in the cities of the South and West during the present season, and "Pretty Peggy" may be cited as the most prosperous dramatic production of the age. In the title role. Miss Corcoran has been warmly praised, and, although she is the youngest of the present group of stage stars, she Is alstf one of the clev erest. Andrew Robson, who has himself been a most successful star for several years. Is Miss Corcoran's leading man. He was last presented here, it will be remembered, In "Richard Carvel" during the past season. The cast Is a long one and contains many other well-known players. The advance sale of seats will open tomorrow (Monday) morning at 10 o'clock. "EVERYMAN" AT THE MARQUAM Great Morality Play to Be Presented by the Famous Ben Greet Comedy. The man who has been following the dramatic conditions closely will state that the most Important announcement made by the management of the Mar quam Grand Theater for many a long day is that on next Friday and Saturday afternoons and Saturday evening, the Ben Greet players, of London, will be seen in their now famous production of "Everyman," the great religious allegory written in the 15th century. A good reputation does not spread as fast as a bad one, but in this case convincing ru mors havo reached Portland of the great sensation which this simple re ligious drama of the long ago has created in the' East, and more recently in Cali fornia. We have heard, too, of the re markable company of English players whose performances are notable for an. ensemble which Is well nigh flawless, since there Is no "star" In Mr. Greet's company and the name of the distin guished actor-manager appears in pre cisely the same size typo as that of the humblest beginner with one line to speak. At Friday afternoon's pereformance the clergy of Portland will attend, this being the first, time that the epoch-making play has been given in the Northwest. The sale of reserved seats will begin next Wednesday morning at the box of fice at 10 o'clock. Special rates will be made to schools taking a number of seats. "Everyman" is acted on the stage set to represent Salamanca Cathedral, in Spain. When the audience gathers the , stage is set and. the curtain up. When Florence. Roberts to Return. Florence Roberts, In a repertoire of her latest successes, will be the attraction at the Marquam Grand Theater shortly. THE ARCADE. Portland's Pioneer Vaudeville-House Keeps Up to Standard. The rollicking and laughing success en titled "Sweet Rosey O'Grady" will. bethe feature of the Arcade's new programme which opens on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. This abbreviate comedy will be presented by, Robert C. Bell and Lillian Ferris. Mr. Bell appears as the college chap and Miss Ferris aa his sister. Be tween the two of them they create an up roar of merriment in any theater that Is calculated to make the crowds passing on the street wonder what the tumult Is about. A feature that will appeal to everybody end will bo watched with great. Interest by the army of Arcade patrons will be the successor to Kate Coyle, Genevieve Ar dell. Miss Ardell is just as beautiful as her name, and was selected, to follow Miss Coyle because tho Arcade management was sure that neither in her appearance, her wardrobe or her "voice will she fall one atom short of tho high standard of her predecessor. Dainty, saucy and altogether charming are the Montague sisters, two attractive joubrettes. who will appear in a novelty artist sketch in which they will sing two of the latest ballads and give an imita tion of the dance that made the American soubrette famous in South Africa. A German comedian who will create much mirth with hl3 ridiculous parodies on popular songs will be Al Lewis, one of the best known funsters on the stage. The roars of merriment that he will cre ate will be followed by the intense silenco of astonishment when Rantz produces some of the wonderful feats of legerde main, for which he draws the highest salary paid to any necromancer that has visited Portland this year. The American bioscope, which week after week has presented to the patrom jit the Arcade Theater novelty films and scenes, rot duplicated on any other screen in the city, will sustain its repu tation with the pictures It will flash next week. "THE BAKER. Coming Bill Offers Many New and Interesting Features. With the opening of tho new week at the Baker tomorrow afternoon there will be presented a bill which contains many new and notable vaudeville fea tures. They are all typically good, the kind the Baker has built Its repu tation upon. There is a wide range in the offerings and sufficient variety to please all of the patrons. Sanfellaa and Gardells, who bring to Portland for the first time their fa mous high acrobatic acts, which have been received " With great en thusiasm all over the country. On account of the tremendous interest aroused by the engagement of the Onri family during the past week, that dis tinguished troupe of jugglers have been retained for another week's en gagement. They will offer during their coming engagement their celebrated globe-rolling and juggling specialty, which differs in every respect from the work they have done during the past week. It has been seen by the best audiences in this country and Eu rope. Although thousands of people have been delighted in their act dur ing the past seven days, there was a general demand for more of the work of the five Onrls, and in response to this demand they have been retained. Byron and West, than whom there are no more talented entertainers be fore the public, will offer their Justly celebrated rural comedy musical sketch. Madeline DeLane, the fashion able society soubrette, will present her delightful comedy singing act, enti tled "The Widow." Another big num ber will be the Thompsons, whose In imitable Chinese impersonations have won for them an International reputa tion. Raymond G. Baldwin, the popu lar baritone, will delight his admirers with a new ballad of rare beauty, and the blograph will present entirely new life motion pictures. Today's perform ances will be continuous from 2 until 10:30 P. M. THE BIJOU. Startling Specialties and Plenty of Fun and Music on New Bill. For this week at the Bijou the vaude ville world has been scoured to provide a thoroughly high-class entertainment. A number of particularly bright acts have been collected. The new programme be gins with the Monday matinee. The hunk3 and bunches of muscle on Hildebrand's mighty arm give but a poor Idea of his remarkable strength. He's a strong man with a number of feats nev er before seen In Portland. Opposed to him is the marvelous Quzina, a girl who appears to have no bones at alL She Is the exponent of another kind of phys ical development. The funniest child comedian on the Coast is Norman Margeson. Maude and Norman Margeson are the big and little of it, and their character acting is al ways applauded. A great Irish sketch team is Leo and Sulky, who introduce burlesque boxing. Bert Newell la the burlesque prima donna. The Ryans come from an Eastern house with a delightful sketch comedy. This Is Pearl Grayson's last day, for Joe Thompson, a well-known baritone, has been engaged to sing Illus trated songs. New vltascope pictures, of course. Every afternoon and evening during the week. Continuous today. THE LYRIC. Rare and Wonderful Vaudeville Events for This Popular Theater. For the coming week at the Lyric there is a promise of remarkably good acts and artists of the same charac ter that have made this the foremost theater in the city. The management is pleased to announce that special ef forts have been made to provide su perior entertainment for Its patrons, and when the new bill goes into ef fect tomorrow afternoon the result of these efforts will be apparent. First on the bill there will be Orln M. Mitchell, undeniably the world's greatest; ventriloquist and his auto