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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1906)
MINGLED thoughts of turbulence and ; luxury are Jengendered by the bunches of theatrical news that come from Xew York. The activity of the Spring season has produced several plays that seem to have lasting qualities, and we may see them anon. ' Among the most recent events tliat loom up In spe cial prominence is the spectacular way In which Richard Mansfield, "in repertoire, proved good enough a star to Induce New York to pay $77,000 to see him-in twenty nine performances, In which he acted nine great roles. This ponderous figure in the artistic firmament Is repeating a similar success in Cincinnati and St. Louis and will tackle Chicago next wcelc "Ye may take Mansfield with a grain of ealt, but we take him Just the same. ANOTHER astounding result to chron icle Is the fact that David Belasco has lost his suit against Klaw & Brlanger in the famous three-cornered Jltlgatlon, involving Joseph Brooks also. There has been enough acrimony and spleen dis played in the notorious legal melee to sink a ship, to soy nothing of the repu tations of a horde of lesser lights in the theatrical world. Judge Fitzgerald, of the New York Supreme Court, finds against David Belasco and appoints a receiver to render an accounting. The case involves respective rights to the use of about 5100. 000, which Stage Magician Belasco re ceived, according to the court's con clusions, and which Klaw & Brlanger think they should have had a hand In. "Whether this blow will interfere with the normal development of Mr. Belasco's wonderful surprises that he periodically springs ,on the theatrical world is a prob lem. If you listen to the great booking agents they are , phllan.tljroplsts and the mildest of men. If you bear David, they are cormorants and despicable. All we want Is that Belasco shall be allowed to build up his works of genius each season. And also we want Klaw & Brlanger to put out on the road their big productions. JOHN PHILIP SOUSA. the band won der, has scored nightly in' his comic opera. "The Free Lance," In the East. It contains a march. "On to Victory," that is accepted as better than anything the man has ever written heretofore. They have established the Sousa Opera Com pany as a permanent institution, on the strength of this last feat of Sousa's. Ho exhibits unexpected versatility and con tracts to prepare a new opera to be given each Spring. The tendencies arc certainly toward good opera of a light character, and the discontinuation of freak musical comedy. Sousa's last is compared to some of the richest beauties of Offenbach's music. If Sousa has pro duced anything resembling Offenbach's opera bouff no one will be happier or more enthusiastically generous in the matter of patronage than the best mu sicians and fun-loving people of America. LAST week in Portland things theatri cal were Interesting but not exalting. The New Century Girls capered at the Baker Theater. "A Thfrcpughbred Tramp" served to exploit a good character actor's ability at the Empire, and the vaudevill houses ran along evenly in their rut. "Wednesday the theater managers In town united to give a performance under Miss Rujacro's direction, for the benefit of the 6an Francisco sufferers, and a good sum was raised. Thursday evening began the three-day season of Blanche "Walsh in "The Woman in the Case." Instantly the sane- people of this city recognized a masterpiece from the pen of Clyde Fitch. and an excellent performance of a great play was enjoyed to the full. REFUGEES carae here all the week from California, and among them not a fe-w are theatrical artists who were In tore seed. A very practical and timely prois4M for their wants was made when Metwt. Baker. E ricks an and Keating de cided to jointly run vaudeville at the Baker Theater for the week beginning to day, esapleylag only the California refu gees who want work and arranging so that they may go right on over the Northwest vaudeville circuit and not lose any time at alL THE feeet saggestlea yet stale--was that ef Geerge I. Baker, when fee proposed, that all the theaters la the United State set aside ee Bight as C&Hferata. night, the tatal boroMcc re oetets to fee sent ie thVSas Fra&olsee theatrical managers to be utid as they judge' 'best-In' relieving the distress of theatrical people and employes of theaters who have suffered by the earthquake and fire In San Francisco. The call wan sent out by the Associated Press, and the re sponse doubtless will be forthcoming from the profession and managers all over the country. . .' "riii. VC MONG the mosengaglng'-subjects of am interest is the plan for the two stock companies which are to open simultan eously In Portland under Mr. Baker's management Sunday. May 13. The Baker Stock Company will- be at the Baker Theater, playing the high-class pieces and Including in the company many of the old favorites who have been here In stock before; and the Fourteenth Street Stock Company, which promises to present melodrama In elaborate fashion at the Helllg Theater. The disaster at San Fran cisco has thrown so many desirable the atrical people out of employment that there Is a large list to pick from, and line companies at both theaters may be expected. Mr. Frledlandcr says that he will give us attractive comic opera at The Oaks later on. There are rumors that an organization from the Tix-oll may come up from San Francisco, under whose control no one seems to know. Al together I Imagine that we will not go hungry theatrically this Summer for want of variety. POLLARDS will be a name frequently on tho Hps of theatergoers this week. This Pollard opera company, which oc cupies the Helllg the coming week, in cludes a sst of tikes .that are fetching. breezy, talented and welcome to all healthy people. They cannot sing an opera with entire correctness, of course. but their age considered (they are mere ly children) they do far better than an experienced stage manager would Imagine possible. They never cease to be a won der to me. They are charming and de lightful. A. H. BALLARD. THE POLIiARDS TONIGHT. Famous Lilliputian Opera Co. Will Present "A Runaway Girl.' Tonight at the Helllg Theater on the corner of Fourteenth and "Washington streets, the famous Pollard Lilliputian Opera Company will begin an engagement of one week It seems superfluous to attempt saying anything praiseworthy of these extraor dinarily clever tots, as they have played In this city on many xormcr occasions, and their friends and admirers are count ed by the score: suffice It to say they will not onlj exceed but surpass all for mer performances, as their rest of a few short days in ths city has put the as in excellent spirits, which undoubtedly will be given vent in their singing and acting. Tho opening Mil tonight will be the tuneful musical comedy success, "A Run away Girt. which will also be given next Thursday night; tomorrow (Monday) and Friday nights, "The Belle of New York"; Tuesday night. "A Gaiety Girl": Wednes day night. "The Geisha"; Saturday night. "An American JiHMeaalre," and at .the special Saturday matinee, "H. M. & Pina fore." When tnta wonderful troupe of little operatic stars paid its Arst visit to Amer ica It was received evernrnra with- the .most unbounded enthnomsm. not only be oanee e the complete novoHy of a. Mus ical en torta tamest by a bust of ftfty professional children, all under If years and many under 10. but because the operas were really better staged, belter acted and better sung than by many adult troupes which have toured the same territory. At least that was the general verdict in all the cities where these clever Lilliputians were seen. The company is now In America for the third time, with all the big girls and boys weeded out. but with all the' old favorites in the cast of principals. Daphne Pollard and Teddle Macnamara are still with the organiza tion. Two new additions are the Pollard Twins, said to be the equals of any of the older members in the merriment cre ating ability. The scenery and wardrobe Is entirely new. Seats are now selling for the entire engagement at the box office of the Helllg Theater. 'THE SILVER DAGGER.' "Sew and Intense Melodrama by Mark E. Swan, at the Empire. Starting with today's matinee. "Ths Silver Dagger." a powerful and realistic drama of New York life, will be the week's attraction at the Empire. The company presenting this production for the first time in the West is headed by Mack Swain, an actor of great ability and versatility. All the necessary scenery for this big production is carried com plete. It Is a play that appeals not only to lovers of the modern day melodrama, but it Is of -a higher order and reaches the sympathies of all classes of theater goers. At tho climax of the third act the acme JAMBS r. UK AXB -kjm wax ssssssssHPlfislssft sssssssssKBSsHRr?': '-sBsssfc V ir. Wtltlj JlbsW,V"' ' 'rssr '-"Vr Bo 'VjSflwfiBSv P:''nnnnnnnKB-SBSSSSSSSSSSSSS I sssssssssssssssssssssH U lTBSSSSSSSSSEdlBSSBSSSSSSSSSrtB JiiiiSSBSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS 0 of thrilling dramatic situations Is at tained. The scene is that of an under ground apartment, where the heroine, at the moment of the 'villain's triumph. Is rescued by the lover, following one of the most realistic of stage fights. The house becomes dark for the fraction of & moment, when the lights reveal an Il luminated city In the far perspective, with the rushing waters of the mighty Hudson and a splendid reproduction of Brooklyn Bridge In the foreground. Across this tumult of seething waters appears a skiff urged on with mighty strokes by the hero of the occasion, and occupied by the heroine. By the use of a stupendous amount of weighty and massive scenery and clever lighting effects, this Is said to be one of the most realistic stage settings ever of fered to the public as well as one of the most thrilling of melodramatic cli maxes ever staged. "The Silver Dagger" Is a great mati nee bill and as there is only one other matinee after Sunday it will, no doubt be crowded to the doors with members of the gentler sex. "The Silver Dagger" will run all week at the Empire, with the matinee Saturday. "OAIiIFORNIA GIRLS" COMING. Closing Burlesque of Season to Open at Baker Next Sunday Matinee. The last burlesque company of the long and successful season at the Baker will be the "California Girls" Company, which Is now on its way here and will open next Sunday matinee at this most popular place of amusement. Nature's own handiwork, is always a pleasing sight to the eye. A pretty woman with a figure that would vie with a Venus is always appreciable. When nature has been unkisd In this respect we often seek, refuge In artificial means to gain our end; but such beauty Is only skin deep, as the saying goes; but for real prettlness and rare infinite grace the chorus of the "Callforntk Girls" holds the palm. No ftner aggregation of human eoraell- C8XTANY. CettKBr SKETCH OMAXIZATMX CKXFCGEKS F SAX ITtA3CC3CQ Bi&UTXB).. ArTKAJS AT TICK XAKXK TKXATK ALL TntkS WJOEX, 8TAjTIN g . JfATXSXX THAV, new his been seen than the chorus of this popular organization. No troupes on the circuit can boast of such a bevy of pretty misses as the "California Girls Chorus." and what Is more, they are young, have fine voices and are as supple and as lively as 2 year olds. They movo in" unison about the stazc and lend a charm to the entire performance which Is certainly exhilarating. THE INSIDE TRACK.' Oliver Dod Byron's Greatest Sensa tional Slelodrama at Empire. For the week following -"The Silver Dagger" at tho Empire. Oliver Dod By ron's great sensational melodrama, "The Inside Track." will be presented. This production has met with tremendous suc cess during the current season, and will undoubtedly obtain most gratifying: pat ronage during Its run at the Empire. It possesses all the dramatic strength char acteristic of Mr. Byron's plays to which he has added the additional charm of a delightful vein of comedy which enlivens' the action of the play without in any way detracting from Its dramatic interest. The production which comes to the Empire is a complete one. with a larg. well-balanced cast and full scenic equipment. I "CHRISTIAN" COMPANY COMXNG John Salnpolis and Lillian Lawrence Play to Large Houses. The "Christian" Company, planned and nt on the road this year by George L. Baker, has been remarkably successful In the Northwest. It started out March 17. opening at Sa lem, and has played to crowded houses all the time since that date. The fact that Interest in this great play is very strong yet la this Western land is proved by the box-office receipts of Mr. Baker's com pany. The receipts have considerably ex ceeded those ef the original production of the play put out several years ago by Llebler Co.. of New York. John Saln polis and Mis? Lillian Lawrence have bad the leading roles, namely, John Storm and Glory Quayle. and their reception all along the line has been warm and appre ciative. The people havo. everywhere come in large numbers to see a fine per formance of one of the most Intensely dramatic plays of the century. The spec tacular effects are preserved, as the com pany carries all stage paraphernalia with it. so that the smaller theaters at one-, night stands do not cramp the presenta tion of the play. Seven weeks now they have been on the road, and a perform ance, under the direction of Mr. Salnpo lis. Is given In which every theatergoer delights. They come to the Helllg Theater Sun day. May 6. for three nights. It has been a long time since Portland has seen "The Christian," and there is considerable In terest In the fine performance this Baker company is giving. Mr. Sainpolls' John Storm Is admitted to be the-strongest Im personation of that tremendous role since Edwin Morgan amazed the country with it. COIN" KING AT THE GRAND T. Nelson Dptvns Closes Engagement Today New BUI Tomorrow. Those who have not yet seen the ! wonderful coin-oalminr feats of T. ' Nelson Downs, at the Grand, should avail themselves of, this last oppor tunity. The bill which has created such a sensation during the past week closes today. The performances are from 2:30 to 10:45. Don't miss Crim mlns and Gore, the headlincrs. or Wil liam H. Wlndom, the monologlst, or any of the other feature acts. With the matinee tomorrow the Grand will give another of Its big star bills, every artist on the pro gramme being worthy of the price of admission. The prices, starting tdmor-row-, will be the Summer season kind, which means they are 10 and 20 cents, with boxes, 30 cents. This is the time when the vaudeville houses of the country reduce the rates for the warm weather period. The Rlzleys are pre mier poaturers. This is an act which a novelty. There lias been nothing similar in Portland since the vaudeville theaters started here. "The Good Ship Nancy Lee sounds funny, and it is. It Is offered by Gllmore, Haynes and Mont gomery. As a nautical bit of nonsense this will be a success. The act is said to be one of the most amusing booRed to the Pacific Coast over the Sullivan & Considlno circuit from New York and Chicago. Ralph Cummlngs & Com pany will produce X Sealskin Sacque." Mr. Cummlngs wllr be remembered as the head of the Cummlngs stock com pany, which played here for a season several years ago. Vane and Declalr ville have a novelty act called "the human flies." Their turn is unique in many respects. Mack and Tata are jolly jesters, with new songs and stories, and they will please all listeners. Ida Howell Is a vocalist and c6medlenne. Master Harold Hoff has an illustrated song, pathetic and touching, "Two Little Dirty Hands." "Everybody Works but Father is the funny Grandlscope story. This programme can be un equivocally recommended to everyone who is seeking a good vaudeville en tertalnraenfnj MUSICAL COMEDIES NEXT. Vaudeville Season Closes at the Star This "Week., At the raatlneo tomorrow the 8tar be gins the test week of vaadevllla it will have this season. Following It will come a season of musical- comedies, presented by a clever company of entertainers. The now bill- this weak will be found better than any" other that the Star has had In a number of weeks. Especial care has been exercised la selecting this last vau deville Mil. At the top ef the list of many attrac tions Is the team ef Wills and Collins. They, are recognised as the foremost trav esty stars In America. The act they will sire at th Star will fee a travesty of "PygraaUoa and Galatea." This act stand out as among the very best In the history of the Star. Wallace and Beach are to give an acrobatic comedy sketch. Taeso people are Earopean eecentrioHes. and suok acts savor fail to make good with n American audience. One of tk feet aerial acts on the Coast ts that of tho Three Kofeers. These peo ple work on tho mat and traaese and their feats ar new and out of the gen eral order f tbtn?s. Miss Mildred Edd7 is a emnedfeano. bright and captivating. A German eomfdttrt who has. made his mark as a fan-rrdncer is J. W. CMfo-d. K hn Hen rt-allr enrfagrd for the last week of vandoviHe. "Way Down Yonder m the CoTdnrld" win be nn-x by the pop &r TMtt4st. Jaw "Barke. and the Karoo so sb wW fwsls "A. Drama In the AhV Todaar-r.tis -Jtrtroneosi wW be 'eon- HmMw Jram SJM io M. It Is-tho mg day lor yWir and Hanson, the dians; Barnes and Levlna. the tramp and the conjurer: Miss Bonnie Cruz, the op eratic vocalist: Louis Bates, the Imitator and impersonator, and the rest of the pleasing programme. NEW BILL AT FANTAGES. Feature Acts of Many Varieties to Be Seen This Week. Pantages always has a good bill. This week the bill will contain features all of them are features, and there Is a total absence of fill-ins. thetllke of which has rarely been seen In Portland. All of the numbers on the programme are far above the average, and ordinarily anyone of them would be good enough to head the bill. The San Francisco fire had broken several vaudeville circuits, and Manager Johnson has had the op portunity to pick from a long list of va ried attractions. Of course, he selected only the very best and thlg week at Pantages will be a notable one. The Taylor Quartet, which la one of the strongest acts ever presented on the Pa cific Coast, is in itself worth more than the price of admission. This, act Is brought to Portland at great expense, but it lsa sure drawing card and where-, ever It appears makes an Immediate hit. The members of the Taylor Quartet are as good Instrumentalists as singers and those who have ever heard them sing know that' this is saying a good deal. Zeno and Owens come next on the bill. They are singers, dancers and comedians. In either one of these capacities they would be much sought after and with all three combined they present an act that Is hard to equal. The Irresistible Willie Jones, monologlst. will delight the pa trons of the popular playhouse. Willie Jones Is also Inimitable, let alone being irresistible, and is in a class by him self. "Have you seen Willie Jones?" will be heard many times this week. Knetz er, the Juggler, will show his skill with everything from a toothpick to a table. Knetzer is different from most Jugglers, and a person seeing him year after year would never become tired of him. He Is not alone skilled In his art, but he has the knack of continually Introducing new and novel feats, which is a sure preventive for growing stale. That old saying, "last but not least." has been worked overtime, but In this, case It Is Dermlssible to use it In referring to Willis and Bond, English comlque. They have an act that Is a whole show within itself. Arthur Eiwell will sing another Illustrated song, and the bill Is conclud ed with the blograph, which will present this week, "Nobody Works but Father." BEHIND THE SCENES. Next season Ernest Lamson will again twinkle as a tar appearing. In a Western drama of which he is the author. Charles A. Mason, the German dialect eo median, and Lew Kelly continue to have very great saccess In their comedy, 'The Onion Trust." Thomas Jefferson resumed his tour la "Rip Van Winkle" April 23 in Baltimor. His Summer vacation will be spent at Bus sard's Bay, Mass. Cbauncey Oleott closes his tour June 2 In Saratoga. T. Y.. where he has a handsom homo, and in which he will spend his vaca tion. His next tojur begins in August with a new play by Theodore Burt Sayre. For tsa important scene of "The Strength of the Weak" Eugene Ormonde has to en fold Florence Roberta In an embrace that might be called "the Ormonde hug." It eertalnly rivals OJga. Nethersole's famous Comed'an AI H. Wilson's recent engage ments In St- Past aad Minneapolis were tho most successful that he has ever played in tho cities. His receipts for nine perform ances were $7800. for "The German Gypsy." Last week '"Te Shadows of a Great City' was presented in Detroit to a succession of overflowing and enthusiastic audiences. AI' thousn this fine melodrama Is, 20- years old It continues to be a potent attraction, and Bas not had a losing week In two .seasons. Its scenes are laid in and around New York, and its story is one of the strongest ever told on the sts.se. The management has decided to keep it on the road until May 13. Charles A. Mason, of Kelly and Mases, tells this one: "e had bought her a pot of real Irish shamrock grown on the ould w. for It was St- Patrick's day, and she, too. had in her veins the blood of Erin. Ob she osied, 'how sood of you I How perfect they ar! How fresht Why. I be lieve' there la still a little dew on them. "Ye.' he answered, flushing. 'I know there K. but It will all be paid off tomor row.' " The complete cast of "The Strength of the Weak." which was produced at the Liberty Theater. Is New York. April 17. with Flor ence: Roberts as the star, inouded Tyres e Power, Max Firman. IL a Xorthrsp. Ka ne Ormonde, Robert McWade, Frank Rlchter, Donald Weldoa. Adelaide Manola. Tloresee RoblRwa. Mary Fertwiad. Ruth Allen. Fa any Cannon. Lucl'e TerJte and Inxa Ca9rU. Tho scene ef the play are laM Jn ana. near New York, the action kiB!iH; at a womb's catlese aad, leadtsc thrsvsk r;lMtM draaaaUe eUtl te Bts4l tIfiNemtsL A hnt belt, or Lbs I'4 eH th asartB&ests at the aervtaM ( isswsrmt ib oer iwo scene,,, Til $1 9 1