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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 1905)
V THE SUNDAY OBEGONIA, POBTLAOT, JANUARY. .29,:. 1905.. 2ft "Willie" Jefferson as "Bob Acres" i 'Mi II HllilWH l PI I Hi MM W Koi 1 1 I SlT . A H lid' Ifil 1M fc "MH W W'MtH1 W MWIM 111 III afffiBSHH 1 m THAT was a -week which was worth ! the while, for it brought us "William Collier and "The Dictator." With out exception this was the brlghest theat rical event of the season up to now. The near approach of the Melba concert prob ably operated against the heavy patron age which the offering merited, but those who saw Collier were richly repaid. Mon day and Tuesday nights the Jefferson boys, Joseph. Jr., and William, appeared in their father's old success, "The Rivals." A creditable performance was goven. Wed nesday was devoted to Mantelll. Noldi and Albert!, with a few ordinary singers in their support, the bill being "II Trova tore." Grand opera Is a decided luxury in Portland, and the public crowded the house to hear a very good rendition of Verdi's familiar piece. These three attrac tions constituted the, Marquam's contribu tion for the week. - James ' Keane, a well-known young ro mantic star, appeared at the head of the Columbia company, in his own piece, "The Crime of Du Bosq." Generally speaking the performance was high-grade and Mr. Keane is so well satisfied with the play that he is organizing a -company to go on tour in it. The Empire pleased its strenuous patrons with "KetUe- the Newsglrl" and the two new stock houses, the Bijou and Lyric, gave respectively "The Colonel" and "What Happened to Smith." The experi ment of making over two of the vaude ville houses into 10-cent "legitimate" the aters seems to be a success. The four continuous establishments kept their hills up to the standurd. COAT with a history was worn by "Willie" Jefferson as "Bob Acres" in the last act the duel scene, of "Tlie Rivals" last week. It Is a long, blue frock affair of the latter Eighteenth Century, faded somewhat but still sound In even' thread. The identical garment was worn by Joseph Jefferson as "Bob" on his Australian tour in IKTL The elder Jefferson wore it the first time he ever played the part, and, during all the 53 years that have elapsed, the veteran com edian used this garment every time he appeared in "The Rivals." Upon his re tirement fmm tVin ctnr lnt & il.n,n V. presented the coat to his son, who prizes ' it higher than Its welcht in mi ! sentimental reasons he is wearing It this reason, dui next year ne win have a new coat and the priceless relic will be laid away to rest from its labors. A. A. G. "THE DARLING OF THE GODS." Blanche Bates at the Grand Theater In Drama -of Old Japan. "The Darling: of the Gods." a drama of old Japan, by David Belasco and John Luther Long, introducing Blanche Bates as a star, stands out prominently as -the most noteworthy theatrical vent of the local season. It will be seen at the Grand Theater, opening Monday night. In brief, the story of the play Is as follows: Saigon. Prince of Tosan, gives a feast to acknowledge his debt of honor to Kara, outlawed Prince of Choslu, for saving his life and the honor of his .daughter. Yo-San. when attacked at night on a mountain. Though Kara has been outlawed with his clan for refusing: to give up Ms sword, he will be safe within the walls of the Prince. On the way there, however, the War Minister plans to kill Kara. He eludes the War Minister's spies In safety. At the Tescue Yo-San saw Kara's face In a flash of lantern, and so noble was it that she loved him. But she Is betrothed to one Tonda-Tanjl. "The Dandy of Japan." since Infancy, and It Is to be married to him that she has been brought from the temple where she has danced to the gods from her childhood. She puts him oft by demanding that he shall do some brave deed before she can marry him, and she specifics the capture of the renowned outlaw Kara as the most impossible task she could set him. Tonda-Tanjl solemnly undertakes this. But at "The Feast of a Thousand Welcome," she. In the disguise of a geisha, recognizes Kara not only as the face she saw in the lantern-light, "but the one she has condemned to death, and who. having escaped as he came, is the more certain to be killed as he goes. She resolves to save him, and at an opportune moment, when they are alone, discloses herself. She learns that ho Is dying; that under his splendid dress his mail has been cut to pieces by spies of- the War Minis ter. They are about to be Interrupted and she has him carried, unconscious, to her own apartments. Meanwhile the terrible Zakkuri has cone with his spies to kill Kara. The outlaw does not appear, however, and they return, tracing him by his blood to the steps leading from 'the court yard to Yo-San"s apartments, as invio late as the sanctuaries of the god desses. She swears that Kara is not there, and this satisfies her father, but not so Zakkurl. whose acquiescence Is only apparent. In Yo-San's apartments Kara recov ers, lives and loves for 0 days, and Is about to s'ay farewell and Join his men when Prince Saigon suddenly appears In the doorway and, seeing Yo-San in Kara's arms, fancies he understands it all. To the Prince there is but one way the three must die at once. But Just then Zakkuri's men of muskets surround the house and the Prince tums TCarn. out to be killed by Zakkuri, pronouncing Yo-San outcast. Yo-San, stricken prone, hears the combat, then silence, then the voice of Tonda-Tanjl singing a foolish song outside the shojl. He showers lotuses in upon her as she lies there, and re minds her of her promise to marry him when he shall have captured the out law. Finally he flings in the bloody sleeve of Kara's coat as evidence of his capture. Yo-San begs, of Zakkuri, Karas life. He demands the life of Kara's ton follower in exchange. Yo-San refuses and starts up the. steps to "go to the Emperor." At that- moment Zakkurl causes Kara's death proces sion to pass. Kara does not see her, nor can he speak to her. Ho has been ! drugged so that his awaKcning io me ! tortures may be the more exquisite. ' Yo-San vainly begs 4ilm to say that she ! has done right In declining to betray i his men. Though he does not speak. I Yo-San refuses, even as they lead him ! to the torture chamber, and until she ' looks down the trap and sees the hor ! rors there. Then she drags from her ' bosom the names of Kara's faithful ! ten. gives them to Zakkuri. who orders , Kara set free. j Kara wanders dazed to their haunt: i no "one understands his freeing until 1 Yo-San arrives, spent, at her last gasp. At almost the same instant Zakkuri's voice Is heard out of the darkness, summoning them to surrender. Yo San confesses. They surround her to kill her when Banza, the high priest, interposes and tells them that It Is the business of the gods. He reads from the Book of Rites the punishment for the betrayers of honor a thousand years In the under world alone. Kara leads a forlorn hope against Zakkuri and Yo-San is left at the feet of the goddess of mercy. The survivors meet at tne BiacK Bamboo grove to die. When all are dead but Kara. Yo-San drags herself in. still praying for his forgiveness, "because it was for love." He stabs himself as she speaks: but dying, he may forgive her without contamina tion, and he does so. She begs him to meet her at the edge of the first celes tial tieavon when her thousand years of punishment are over. This he promises and dies. Zakkuri and his mem tlnd her, their vengeance com plete. Yo-San passes her thousand years of punishment and rises by many re incarnations to the terrible mountain of -Shiede. the barrier between the earth-heavens and the celestial-heavens. Down Its side she passes to the dread River of Souls, calling her Kara, and the grim ferryman carries her over to the first heaven of form. Kara answers her. Her garment of black drops from her and she Is in white. Beyond she can see the purple light of heaven and Kara, on the uttermost edge, holding out bis arms. Into these she -melts and the mists recelve-thctn. ter- Among the principal people is Grace Huff, a leading weman of rare emotional temperament. She has received well earned recognition as a versatile actress. Tha leading man. Frank G. Long, lias eight years of constant experience in the best Eastern stock companies. The re mainder of the company is composed of the following well-known people: J. A. Wolfe. Robert Johnson. MellJe Long. Liz zie Johnson. Herbert Dobbins and the Desmond Trio. "THE MOONSHINERS" TODAY. Sensational Melodrama at the Empire Theater. One of the best-known traveling stock companies, the Noble Brothers Company, comes to the Empire Theater for an en gagement of one week, starting with the usual matinee today. "The Moonshiners." a sensational melodrama, with Intense heart interest, sensational climaxes and a rich vein of bright comedy, will be the opening play, and will run until "TUcsday night For the remaining three nights of the engagement the delightful comedy-drama, "For Love and Honor," wilt be given The Noble Stock Company was speclally orzanlzed to present plays of this charac- "MOTHS OF SOCIETY." Moat Elaborate Production of the Year at the Columbia. Moths of Society." a special dramatiz ation of which will bo presented at the Co lumbia Theater this week, beginning Sun day matinee, Jan. 29, is one of the strong est plays ever produced In stock, and has been a tremendous success in some of the largest theaters in the United States. The version to be used during the coming week by the Columbia Stock Company preserves all the spirited and character istic romanticism and peculiar charm of Ouida's story, and leads us through halls of state, superb mansions and among peo ple of high degree. One of th first things that will strike the beholder will be tbe gorgeous settings prepared by Frank King. Passing In the first act from the private gardens of tbe Duchess de Sonnaze, at Trouvllle. to the magnificent country home of Zouroff; thenco to a palace in St. Petersburg (in which there Is special Interest Just now. considering tbe Russian troubles), and on to another palace In Poland. There will be a kaleidoscopic view of stage scenery hitherto unequaled in & Portland theater. Again, from a spectacular point of view, the gowning of the ladies of the Columbia Stock Company in this production of "Moths of Society" will constitute the mcst stunning display of dressing, dear to the feminine heart, that has even been seen in this city- Many people have read "Moths," and know how strong the drama Is. It Is the twenty-second week of the present season of the Columbia Stock Company and It will mark tha first appearance of the new leading man, Howard Gould, who Is one of the bes? actors- In America, and very popular here. He will take the sym pathetic part of "Correze," the artist, on whom the burden of Interest falls. Ca. th rift e Count Iss will be seen as Vera, who sacrifices herself to save her mother the frivolous Lady Dolly, an excellent role suited to the charming capabilities of Miss Allen. Mrs. John T. Raymond, daughter of Mis P.o.e Eytlnge. will also make her first appearance as the Duchess de Sonnaze. and great interest Is taken in the appearance of Miss Blanche Doug las as Fcschla Leach, an American girl, the part created In the Frawley "Company by Miss Douglas. Donald Bowles Is Lord Jura. William Bernard is Prince Zuroff, a Russian nobleman: George Bloomqucst Is the Duke of Mull, and William Dills Is Ivan. The play Is full to overflowing with fine parts for the very best efforts of the Columbia Stock Company. No ex pense has been spared to make the pro duction simply the finest, most beautiful, most Interesting, most satisfactory week of stock work ever experienced In Port- .land. The management of the theater makes the distinct promise that 'Moths of Society" fixes the highwater mark of this season's Interest so far. "THE SILVER SLIPPER." Big Musical CoVnedy at the M.arquam Friday and Saturday. Next Friday and Saturday evening, Feb ruary 3. 4. with a special matinee Satur day, patrons of the Marqcaro Grand The ater will witness the second edition of Mr. John C. Fisher's stupendous musical production. "The Silver Slipper." which will easily be recalled byour theatergo ers as being In its vastness. daring and superiority the most complete musical organization that ever appeared here. With an army of over 100 people, these en tertainers come prepared to give the performance complete without (aside from the bare stage of th theater) an7 local assistance. The cast Is considered the very best ever seen in the play, and in cludes Bnltz Edwards. Harry, Burcher. Fred Freeman. W. H. White and the Misses Beatrice Golden. Lora Lelb, Vir ginia Palmer. Isabel Howell. Gene Cole and May Williams, together with the sextette. Venue, student and show girls, also .the marvelous sextet of English dancing girls, whose lightning evolutions In the "Champagne. Dance" have proved decidedly more "famous than the Idyllic sextet "Tell Me, Pretty Maiden" from "Florodora." In addition there Is a cho rus of 40 and an orchestra of 12. The ad vance sale of seats will open next Wednes day morning at 10 o'clock. NEW STOCK COMPANY. Louise Brandt and Edgar Baume Will Open at the- Empire. Manager Lincoln Hart announces that he Trill present Louise Brandt.t Edgar Batrmc and an excellent company In Clyde FiVeh's beautiful play "Lovers" Lane" at the Empire Theater, for one week, begin ning Sunday, February 12. "Lovers' Lane" had a successful run of one year at the Manhattan Theater. New York, ar.d It Is said the parts In which Miss Brandt and Mr. Baume will appear are especially suited, to their talents.. The company will begin rehearsals Feb ruary 1. and among those already en gaged for the pew company are: : Edgar Baume, Louise Brandt, Herbert i Ashton. William. Harris, Helen Hartley, 1 Mary Batikson. Nellie Geerin, Tony West. Ethel Hepburn. Lillian Branscombe, Rea