28
THE SUNDAY OltEGOXIAN, PORTLAND. JULY 22, 1906.
LOOKING B ACKWARD AND FORWARD
Review of the Past Dramatic Season in Portland and Announcement of Plays in the Future., .
THE amusements of Portland draw
about a million dollars per year
through the box office window
of the theaters.
This matter . of amusement the
theater, the play, the opera, the music,
entertainment of a public nature in
general may well be thought about
seriously, as a factor in our civic ex
istence. We work. We sleep. We play.
We pay much attention to the activ
ity that yields us a livelihood, and are
extremely solicitous concerning our
comforts and luxuries of sleeping and
rest. Now, should we not look a little
more carefully and critically into the
question of what we shall do to amuse
ourselves?
The theater Is the most potent pur
veyor to our amusement.
How is the theater run, locally?
"Who is running it? What sort of peo
ple are stipulating the kind and
amount of amusement we shall have?
What has been the record of the sea
son that has Just closed? And what
are the prospects for the coming sea
son? Have we fared well, or Hi? Have
we had the best that could have been
given us under the circumstances?
How far can we go in stipulating the
kind of treatment, theatrically, that is
in store for us during the' season that
will open next September?
Theaters are open tha year round.
Three vaudeville houses and one stock
house are open now the Grand, the
Star and Pantage's. devoted to vaude
ville, and the Lyric, devoted to stock
productions. - The other theaters In
the city of a more prominent charac
ter are now closed for the Bummer,
having presented what they had to of
fer. The Heilig has the bookings from
Klaw & Erlanger (the firm that con
trols the largest number of important
attractions" of the better grade). The
greater portion of these offerings were
presented this year at the old Mar
quam Theater, now closed permanent
ly, and the latter part of the season
was pieced out at the Heilig, after
ward a financially unsuccessful and
short-lived Summer season of musical
comsdy and grand opera being given,
which ended last Monday evening sud
denly In artistic glory and monetary
disaster.
W T the Baker Theater a brief sea
r son of nine weeks' stock termi
nated last' Saturday night. That thea
ter had been run throughout the bal
ance of the year as one of the Bur
lesque Wheel houses presenting a
new company each week of traveling
burlesque troupes of about a second
class grade, although in many in
stances there were tine artists among
them, i The burlesquers catered only
to the people of the street and the
rounders. There was not much in
those shows that appealed to anyone
but the rough-minded, the utterly flip
pant, the chance seeker after raw di
version, the wayfarer, the floating
population of uncertain condition.
They made little Impression on the
regular theater-goers, and the city
was not sorry when they finished their
course and gave place to the Baker
stock company.
This latter organization resumed
operations under the name that was
almost a fad in town on the occasion
of the great success of three years ago.
Promises were made that many . of
the old favorites would be seen again
among the players, and roseate hymns
were sung anent the beauties and per
fections of the produotlona that would
be forthcoming during the season.
Some of these promises were kept, in
part, and some were not. The public,
tried and true patrons, newcomers to
town and newly Interested theater
goers flocked to the Baker. The af
fair was well managed.
An impressive effort was made from
the first to render everything large
and spectacular. Tha din of ' flam
buoyant heralding of everything and
everybody connected with the organ
ization was Just what was needed to
keep the flow of people steady toward
the box office. The liberal amount of
paint and carpenter work on the set
ting of each play was precisely the
fact that diverted attention from what
ever shortcomings there,' might be In
the performances that were given or
the faultlness or demerits of the plays
put on.
A fine leading man, who had a voice
of thunder and was Immensely liked
In Portland, the reputation John Saln
polls and Lillian Lawrence had Just
achieved as satisfactory Impersonators of
the chief roles in "The Christian," Don
ald Bowles' popularity. William Dills'
popularity. Hdward Russell's popularity,
drew the people tosether. and the mo
mentum was kept up. ,
Very little opposition, that would nat
urally eat into the Baker Theater's pat
ronage, was another auspicious circum
stanceand, greater than everything else,
the ideal location of the edifice for the
convenience of theater-goers both from
the Kast Side and the West Side, minis
tered to the strength of the tide that had
set toward that place of amusement.
0
I N the whole, the plays presented
were fair to the public in their se
lection. They were picked out with a
view to their possibilities as productions
on a small stage, under the conditions of
being obliged to exaggerate the magni
tude of the presentation. There were .not
fa many old favorites as had been prom
ised, but this was Ignored by the ma
jority because, a large amount of amuse
ment was always given, considering tha
price of admission charged. The com
pany was strong undoubtedly as to men.
but weak as to women. The leading
woman. Miss Lawrence, proved herself
to be a competent study and a service
able person in stook productions, Just
passing muster as to technical work in
most of the plays, making a meritorious
hit as Phyllis in "When We Were Twenty-One,"
attracting favorable comment
on her good looks, but failing to awaken
the slightest tenderness or affectionate
appreciation from her audiences because
of her superficiality, her metallic voice,
the narrowness and shallowness of her
histrionic conceptions.
The palpable construction of end
personnel of the company, that was
carried out. In defiance of obligations
Incurred and hopes created, of main
taining a conspicuous mediocrity
among the women of the company
other than the leading woman, so llmt
by no possibility could any of the other
females overshadow the leading wom
an, was as Inartistic in a hcatrical
sense, as unprofessional technically
and as unfair personally -is It will ba
disastrous financially if It is continued
for another season.
There were fortunate conditions dur
ing the season that has just p.ss-d
that allowed the mana;jnm-nt to fel
low a line of conduct like this with
impunity, and progress to a pott of
monourv safety ut the end of the tiiio
weeks. But a policy so unfair to the
public 1? noticed by many, and espe
cially by those who are in reality the
most Important friends the management
has In Portland, cannot be pursued an
other year and be passed over In silence.
THERE are excellent .nn'n to be
had for the various roles requited
In regular stock productions of the
better class. They exist in many :u
RSible Quarters of the United plaits.
There was material ritrht bare in Port
land above the quality servoj up to
us this last season on the Bakr stage,
some of which -was engisod und then
not used, some of which was ignored.
It was not on gro inds of economy. It
wan because the leading woman would
not permit anyoae to act on that xwee
who was likely to outshine her In tal
ent or dress, or who would be liktily to
display any sort of marked ability.
Tha consequence was that every play
put on . was unsatisfactory in the
achievements of the women. The lead
ing woman failed to greatly impress
her audiences. And there was no one
else in the company who had the abil
ity or personality to impress anyone,
except it might have been Miss Nev'.Ufi,
who was shelved nearly all the wuile
in inconsiderable bits.
Next year's work must be different.
The public overlooked the fact that
tha women In the, Baker company were
second rate and weak this 1 &t season,
for the productions were ra'her big
and money-value-givir.ir, at ail event.
To continue the policy of this past
season, to keep out a stunning in
genue, refuse to have a handsome sec
ond woman because she has a vogue
among the best people of town and
possesses magnificent stage Jewels and
an exquisite stage wardrobe, is noth
ing less than business suicide for
George L. Baker.
Let the leading woman be ever so
good.
There Is no objection to that,
A hundred times as competent and
attractive a woman as Miss Lawrence
would not scare Portland in the least
degree. But the Idea of banishing
everything charming from the com
pany so that one self-appointed female
figurehead may be left alone on what
ever glory she may be able to radiate
Is a foolish business plan.
It can only result in the failure and
slow death of the company.
WASHINGTON and Fourteenth streets
Is a half-way point not an ad
vantageous location for a theater. The
Heilig Theater, at this point, suffers from
a managerial standpoint, In consequence
of thia position of the structure. When
a man boards a car down town and rides
up to the Heilig Theater with his family,
he scarcely haB time to pay his fare be
fore he has arrived at the theater. -
He gets off the car, with the inevitable
reflection that he has wasted some car
fare. He has not received his money's
worth of ride for the amount of care fare
expanded.
When he confronts the task of walking
up Washington street, up and over the
hill, to the Heilig Theater, he thinks It ii
too great an undertaking. He doesn't
want to try it. He usually decides to
ride with tha result as indicated already
he Is disgruntled.
This semi-conscious step In his psycho
logical development has a great deal to
do with the fact that it is extremely dif
ficult to conduct a stock season of any
thing whatever at that house, dramatic
presentations or music. .
Of course, the public will go to the
larger and more' famous shows that come
here from the East with their tremen
dus flourish of trumpets and high prices.
They are made the occasion of a kind
of social gathering, where people go to
see and be seen. Some will go to one "at
traction," some to another, and some
will go to nearly all. Some affect trie big
musical events of the year.
There must be some so-called first-class
theater In town for the housing of the
regularly accredited traveling troupes,
both in theatrical and musical lines'. The
Marquam Grand Theater was the ideal
place for this purpose, and the influence
of the powers that own it now to take it
out of the running is most baleful.
The only substitute we have now Is the
Heilig, which is too far up town, con
venient to no one, and wasting a. great
deal of its undeniable comfort on the des
ert air.
Again, tha cars that constantly go by
the Heilig are a nuisance. They prevent
the perfect hearing of what is said on the
stage. eThey are continually dinning thalr
rumbling into the ear of the audience.
But we shall be compelled to stand the
Heilig Theater for another year at least,
Calvin Heilig. the lessee, says that he
has backers who will build him a theater
on a desirable site by next year.
We hope they will do so.
EANWHILE, I would be gratified to
putable and Influential people of this city
who want satisfactory amusements.
I would like to see such an assemblage
get together and probe to the bottom the
question whether the Marquam Theater
cannot be restored to Mr. Heilig.
It Is a fact that Calvin Heilig controls
the Klaw & Erlanger bookings for Port
-mr t&O ipkSJ5 fo &Y
Miss Maruer!t Long-acre. th talentd ingr and former Oregon glr! whose reputation a. a vocalist and dramatic reaSer Is well known in the East, returned
yesterday with her accompanist. Miss Spalding, from a concert tour throughout Alaska. The Itinerary covered 15.000 miles through Southeastern Alaska. Brltlso Co.
lutnbia, Yukon Territory. Fairbanks and Nome. : Miss Longacre has met with most flattering success, the Dawson News devoting two column, to her artistic vocal
and dramatic work in that city. The concert referred to was given under the patronage of Major and Mrs. Z. T. Wood, who entertained extensively for Miss Longaore
during her stay in Dawson. Major Wood was then the acting Governor of Yukon Territory.
Mies Longacre spent several months In Nome making a study of Esquimaux music, which she expects to interpret in London drawing-rooms next season. This
unique form of entertainment, which is practically unknown in Europe, will no doubt meet with instantaneous favor. These muficales will be preceded by interesting
stories of Esquimaux life with appropriate costumes. ..... ,
During Mies Longacre's stay In Nome she had the distinction of having produced the first comic opera ever presented to an audience at the Arctic Circle. The
opera was magnificently staged and costumed, and the cast Included prominent soriety people of that city, with Miss Long acre In the role of Yum-Yum. a picture -of
which appears in this issue.
After a visit with her parents in Siiverton. Miss Longacre will sail for a three-months' tour of the Orient, where she will appear in concert and oratorio m-ork.
and then depart for Europe, where she la engaged to sing in the prominent cities.
land, and if we want these "attractions,"
as we most certainly do, he must be pro
vided with a convenient and suitable the
ater for their reception.
No stock company, whether theatrical
or musical, has aver paid In the building
that .is now called in the Heilig Theater.
r- The company that came nearest to pay
ing was the first that occupied It namely,
"the Columbia stock .company. The Co
lumbia company's loss on the entire sea
son of 37 weeks was about 94000.
The loss . on the Belasco season that
succeeded It, was nearer $30,000.
I presume that the musical season just
closed, that of the Kendall Musical Com
pany, netted a loss in six weeks of about
5000. t :
Klaw & Eerlanger are disposed to send
their best shows out as far as this city,
and probably Portland, will have about
the same kind of a season as to quality
and quantity as If San Francisco had not
been shaken down and burned up.
i ne big shows can take in Oakland and
stay down on the Bay at the California
metropolis 'a shorter time. That Is the
only difference.
The Northwest Theatrical Association
has shown evidences lately that it is not
omnipotent in this part of .the country.
Tint Sullivan bowled it out in its plans
for putting the Orpheum into Butte, Se
attle, Spokane and Portland, without
turning many perspiratory hairs, the
other day.
Russell and Drew, also the other day,
got the Seattle Theater away from John
Cort, who lauds himself as the chief
faetotem of the Northwest Theatrical
Association, and is undoubtedly . an ex
cessively energetic theatrical man, with
an ambition that is liable to overreach
itself and goad him on in his avarice and
GOSSIP OF
Plans of
Ezra Kendall will start 'aim season Octo
ber J.
-
Anna Held will tour next season in "A
Paris Model."
T. B. Sayra has written "Ellleen Astfaore"
for Chauncey Olcotr.
Joseph Wheelock will star again next sea
son In "Just Out of College."
It Is understood that Anna Held will not
be with the Shuberts next season.
Lee "Willard
ceaefully with
ta turlng the Northwest
"A Western Gentleman."
Gus Hill's new musical play, "Aound the
Clock," will be produced early in September.
A new play by Edmund Day. entitled "The
Round Up." is to be an early Fail produc
tion. Nance O'Neil has accepted
Henry Kirk, a Callfornlan.
Golden Fleece."
a play from
called "The
Allen De-one will star the coming season in
"Kerry Gov," the play made famous by
Joseph Mutphy.
"Burr Mcintosh threatened bodily harm to
any one trying to photograph H- K. la aw in
Coroner Dooley'a court. .
"Blanche Bates opens again with "The Girl
Prom the Golden W est" at the Belaeco Thea
ter In New York, August 7.
e e
. The new Astor Theater in New York will
be opened August 30 by Annt Russell in "A
Midsummer Night's Dream.
Miss Frances Starr has taken Minnie Du
pree's place a leading woman with David
Warfteld in "The Mualc Master."
-
The Guy Standing Columbia Theater Stock
Company Is having a tremendous success In
Washington, D. C, in "Tha Tyranny of
Tears."
, -
The Schuberts and Max C. Anderson have
leased the New York Hippodrome for 10
years. The yearly rental is given as
$230,000.
Miss Rosa Stahl will be starred next sea
son In James Forbes' play, "The Chorus
Lady." She i now starring in this play in
London.
James Slevtn, a younf New Yorker, ha
written a new play for James Neil!, which
will probably be produced In New York the
coming aeason.
Orrin Johnson will play the leading role In
the new play, "The Daughters of Men," by
Charles Klein, which will be presented at the
Hudson Theater next season.
Trixle Friganza Is to replace Blanche Ring
In the cast of "His Honor the Mayor,' when
the latter retires from the cast to begin bar
season In "Ml si Polly Dollars."
David Belasco said, and has been saying
for some time, that he will produce a new
play, written around Mrs. Leslie Carter, early
In November, and according to hie custom
he is maintaining the ueual Idiotic secrecy
TALENTED OREGON GIRL STAGES COMIC OPERA AT NOME
HK.Mi IN THIS AMATKtK
f
overweening - seal Into unscrupulous
lengths.
Sullivan's action In New York deprived"
us of the splendid Orpheum vaudecille
shows.
That company would have fixed up and
occupied the Baker Theater. We scarcely
regretted the fact at the hour, because it
meant that the Baker Stock Company
would be continued another season. But
it will be a deeply regrettable episode
If we lose the Orpheum. and do not get
as good a Baker company as Mr. Baker,
unaided and unmolested, could secure for
us.
The Orpheum, being absent, gives a bet
ter chance for the continuous success of
Sullivan and Considine's two houses here
the Grand and the Star.
One house, the Lyric, Is worthy of seri
ous attention just now. Its managers
have been quietly conducting It for tne
last two years without the interruption
of a single day. The charges are the
same as the vaudeville houses, and the
acting of the players there is well up to
the standard of the ordinary stock house
In this country. In fact, there Is often
In the Lyric Theater better acting than
In some Instances has been seen at the
Baker Theater ire far more pretentious
performances. The size of the stage be
ing small, and the size of the cast being
small, are the only drawbacks that can
be noted in a performance which is, in
reality, great value for the price. They
have to change the name of plays and
partially rewrite the plays before they
present them. In order to keep up the high
standard: for the limited price makes
gross receipts small, and It would be Im
possible to pay royalties on the high
class plays. There are thousands of good,
hlgh-clas plays, the royalty on which
PLAYS AND PLAYERS
Actors and Managers for Next Season's Productions.
concerning" the name and nature of the play.
Mr Carter's recnt marrlaare wran m. bomb.
enen or some sort.
according to the report
that Mr. Belasco is now permitting to be sent
out. No one can tell yet, however, whether
the whole thing a scheme for notoriety
ana advertising and raising money.
Robert Mantell will add to his repertoire
next season w. 8. Gilbert's burlesque.
"Rosencranz and Gullderstern," which he
wrote as his criticism of "Hamlet."
Rose Btahl Is called the Bernhardt of the
Halls In England. Her acting in the Palace
Theater, London. In "The Chorus Lady" ha
called forth this extravagant eulogy.
Miss Grace FHkins, Miss Effle Shannon
and Mis Dorothy Donnelly complete the
feminine element that Henry B. Harris has
engaged for Charles Klein's new play.
e
Harrington Reynolds, David R. Young,
Jack Webster, Maurice Costello and Blanche
Douglas have been engaged to support
Maude Fealy in "The Illusion of Beatrice."
Violet Dale, the well-known mimic, has
been engaged by Joe Weber for an ingenue
role in "The Strenuous Life," in which Will
iam Norrts is to be starred next season un
der Mr. Weber's management.
Tt la stated that David Belsseo has been
offered $50,000 for the English rights to "The
Mualc Master," and that he refused the offer.
Leslie Carter Is giving him trouble enough
Just now. without these disturbing- rumors.
George C. Tyler, for Liebler A Co., has se
cured a contract with Martin Harvey where
by the English actor will appear In America
In Eugene W. Presbrey's dramatization of
Sir Gilbert Parker's novel, "The Right of
Way."
'
George M. Cohan says he has substituted
Thomas W. Ross for Nat Goodwin in the
new Cohan play, "Popularity." - In reality
Goodwin is as mad,at Cohan as Cohan i
angry at Nat. ' The tiff has been described
in these columns.
e - 4
Katheryn Oppenhelm, who has appeared
In "Babes in Toyland" and other produc
tions, has brought suit against the Snuberts
for $10,000. claiming physical iniurles caused
by a fall from a chair in her dressing-room
at the Lyric Theater.
' .
Charles Klein says that American humor
goes wel in England, "If you explain tt. It
you give them a sort of diagram they take
U very, well." Now It Is up to Gertrude
'Atherton to speak up In defense of thia
aspersion on her darling Johnny Bulls.
Mary Van Buren, well known on this
coast as one of the most beautiful women
of California and for some time a successful
actress In the Frawley company, made a de
cided hit at Daly's Theater in New York in
"Cousin Lousa," Frederick Paulding's play.
It is reported that Channlng Pollock Is to
dramatise Senator Robert M. LaFollette. It
is asked whether Pollock intends to pit
LaFollette against 'The Little Grey Lady."
The place that Pollock occupied with the
Schuberts Is now filled by Sam E. Wei ler.
Mrs. Sarah Cowell LeMoyne will appear
UODICTION o' -THS ALUtAUO.-'
has run out, and which are open to com
panies of this kind. Such plays are en
tirely new to the present generation, and
are far better, in many instances, than
half the trumpery that is foisted upon
the public by some of the neophytlc play
rights who are now seeking recognition.
When a fellow in the East writes a play
and it proves a failure, It is immediately
released for stock and ottered oy an tne
theatrical agencies to the various stock
companies in the cities of lesser magnl
ture throughout America.
The managers of these theaters do not
know much about plays. Half of them
are ignorant. unread and unlettered men,
and cannot tell' good play from a bad
one. They take a play on all sorts of
reasoning and recommendations hating
a big royalty play and looking for a snap
that has the elements favorable for ad
vertising purposes.
In the ease of George L. Baker-, who is
supposed to be responsible for the se
lections at the Baker Theater for the
coming season, he, himself, is disposed to
take litle note of the size of tne royalty.
He wants something that will draw. If
left to his own accord he would choose
the best plays that were offered the ones
that we're known and acknowledged" to be
of the highest class. His Judgment is ex
cellent. I consider him one of the best
Judges of tho chance of a play's run in
the business.
But he is absolutely at present in the
hands of n actor and an actress who
are playing in his company, and they will
choose plays, In as far as they are able,
to practically star the actress in ques
tion. This is a bad business scheme. They
are not liable to go too far in this direc
tion. But it is their intention to go as
far as they dare.
The list of plays will not be prepared
with sole reference to giving Portland as
good a - succession of theatrical offerings
as can be procured. The basis of Judg
ment will be on other grounds.
This Is something .for the public to
know, and for George L. Baker's friends
and acquaintances to argue- with him
about. A. H. BALLARD.
In Browning's "Pippa Passes," under the
management of the Shuberta and Henrv Mil-
i ler. Mrs. LeMoyne will play Ottima. The
production is to be one of the early Fall
offerings at the Princess" Theater, New York.
Arrangements have been made with C. M. S.
McLellan. author of "The Belle of New York'
and "Leah Kleachna," to write for Charles
Frohman the book and lyrics of a mimical
play to be called "Nelly Nell." Mr. Fro a man
i to posses both English and American rights.
Managers find considerable difficulty in
getting acts and- players in San Francisco,
as all of the players have gone away. But
from the present outlook it would seem that
'Frisco will gradually get back to its usual
footing, as every one seems to be sanguine
of the future.
Robert Edeson, who is spending the Sum
mer at his home near Sag Harbor, Long
Island, will Inaugurate his third season in
"Strongheart" at Newark, N. J., on September
8, Labor Day.- Mr. Etieeon's tour for the
season of 1906-7 will embrace the South and
the Pacific Coast.
In the 18 years "In Old Kentucky" has
been touring the country Jacob LItt has paid
C, T. Darey, the author, the enormous sum
of $187,600 In royalties. "In Old Kentucky"
begins its fourteenth year early in August
at Albany, N. Y., with the most elaborate
production ever given the play.
Edmund Breese, Marguerite St. John, Rich
ard Bennett and Walter Allen, who scored
conspicuous successes in the original produc
tion of "The Lion and the Mouse," received
an ovation Monday last on their reappearance
in the cast ' at the Lyceum Theater. New
York, after two months' absence.
a
"The Umpire," musical Comedy, ran 304
nights in Chicago. Twenty-two girls, coached
by the famous Stagg. line up to play a foot
ball game on the stage. The realism of the
game was Insured when A. A. Stagg, athletic
director of the University of Chicago, trained
the girls. We may see It here later on.
Miss Fernanda Eltscu, who will be remem
bered here as the woman who played the
French girl In the firat act of "Leah
Klfteehna," .in the Manhattan company last
year at the Empire Theater, will appear in
New York next season at the Kalich Theater
In the parts formerly played by Madame
Kalich.
"TS
"Checkers," the popular race track play
which has been popular In the theaters of the
East during the past three seasons. Is shortly
to start on Its first pacific Coast trip, which
will embrace the entire Western country. The
piece has played 14 different engagements in
New York City since Its original production
three years ago.
George M. Cohan celebrated his 28th
birthday on July 4. Among the presents he
received was a silver and gold dealt set
given him by his business associates. After
the performance of "The Governor's Son" at
the Aerial Garden, he attended a dinner In
his honor at Hotel Aetor, and sang several
of his new songs.
e
Charlotte Walker has signed contracts
with Edward A. Braden to play the part of
Constance Plnckney In Louis Evan Ship
man's new comedy. "On Parole." Mr. Braden
states that "On Parole Is a play of Tne
f
Civil -War period, and that it will open lh
season at the National Theater, Washington.
D. C. on September 17.
.
A. Baldwin Sloane, composer of the score
of "The Gingerbread Man." is writing several
new numbers to be introduced Into the second
act of that musical comedy next season, the
most Important being entitled "Margery Daw
and the Six Uttie Maidens." Considerable
new comedy will be Introduced into the piece
that will be significant of recent events,
see
Clay Clements opens his much talked of
"Sam Houston" at the Metropolitan Opera
House, Minneapolis, Minn.. September 17.
From there his tour extends to fit. Paul,
Duluth. Omaha. Kansas City. Denver. St.
Louta. Chicago, New York, Boston, etc. "Sam
Houston" is styled a picturesque, romamiu
drama of early American frontier life.
Harrison Orey Flske will star Madame
Kalich in a new modern play in English. He
has engaged Leonard Sheperd to support Mrs.
Flake in the Manhattan company, which will
also Include John Mason. George Arllss and
William B. Mack. Mrs. Flske will begin her
season with the Manhattan company In "The
New York Idea" in the West. Madame Kalich
will open at the Lyric Theater. New York,
early in the Autumn.
e
France Ring has been engaged by Edward
A. - Braden to play the part of Sonla Stepnisk
In Stanley Dark's new society play. "The Man
and the Angel." Last season Mrs. Ring
played widow In George Ade s "The College
Widow. She Is now in Paris, but will return
to New York the latter part of this month
In time for rehearsals of "The Man and the
Angel." It opens at the Lyceum Theater,
Rochester. N. Y.. August 81.
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The Kirk La Shell oroduetlon of "Check
ers'" which has never been played on the
Faclno Coast, will commence its first trans
continental journey at St. Paul late In August
and will play westward and over the entire
Western country until Christmas. The entire
New York production and cast will be re
tained next season. Dan Smith, in the New
York Herald, calls "Checkers" "the greatest
show that ever struck New York." -e
Margaret Mayo claims the distinction of
being the only dramatist who has ever been
able to make & successful play of any of Mrs.
Humphrey Warde's famous stories. "The
Marriage of William Ashe" was a notable
success last season. Miss Mayo has recently
completed a new play for Florence Gale en
titled "Love's Victory." The open!Sr will
occur In London next September. It' is a
romance of the Austro-Italian conflict, and
Mlsa Gal will star all over America In the
play.
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"The Submerged Tenth," tentatively selected
by Charles Klein as the title of his latest
play, which Henry B. Harris will produce
In September, has been discarded in favor of
"The Daughters of Men." This designation
may In turn be withdrawn, as it la rumored
that a play under the same name has been
copyrighted several years ago. If It should
not be proved to be based on fact. "The
Daughters of Men." which Is most apt in Us
application , to the theme of the play, will
be settled upon. t
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"The Lion and the Mouse" company, which
smashed all theatrical records on Its original
engagement In Chicago last February, is dupli
cating Its successes on Its return engagement
at the Illinois Theater. So great Is the out-of-town
demand that the management has ar
ranged a series of "Lion and the Mouse" ex
cursions for the benefit of theater-goers In
the neighboring towns In Illinois. Michigan
and Wisconsin There will be several "The
Lion and the Mouse companies on the road
during the coming theatrical season.
The title of Stanley Dask's new play. "The
Man and the Angel," was taken from and
the play largely suggested by the following
lines from Tennyson's poem. . "Sea Dreams":
"If there be
A devil In a man. there is an angel, too.
And If he did that wrong you charge him with,
His angel broke his heart."
The play Is in a prologue and four acts,
and the scenes are laid In and around London.
Though In a measure a problem play, It Is
one in which the problem is solved.
Comyns Carr's new play, "Tristram and
Iseult," was recently read to the Adelphl
company In England by the author. Its pro
duction by Otho Stuart may be looked for
early In Septemlfr. As It Is Imperative that
Miss Lily Brayton and Oscar Asche should
enjoy at any rate a brief holiday, the theater
will be closed for some weeks previously. To
Matheson Lang has been assigned the im
portant role of Tristram. The cast will fur
ther Include Mies Hutin Briton as Argenthael
and Miss Gertrude -Ccott as Queen Oren, mother
of Iseult. The play la in four acts, toe action
of the first taking pleos on the coast of Corn
wall.
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While there Js a promise of several Ameri
can plays In London, Henry Arthur Jones'
latest work. "The Hypocrites." la to be first
seen in New York. "The Hypocrites" Is a
drama that may be classed with "Mrs. Dane's
Defense" and "The Liars," although the story
and Incidents are widely different from these
plays. The scene is laid In a small Southern
English town of Weybury. near the cathedral
city of Gilmlnster, and the dramatis personae,
14 In all. form a little coterie of English
country life. The time of the action Is an
Autumn of the present decade. Mr. Jones
will sail 'for New York next month to superin
tend rehearsals.
x
Cathrlne Counties, the most popular actress
that ever played In Portland, will be lead
ing woman for Lillian Russell the coming
season in a new play. This is the first time
that the fair Lillian has appeared in drama.
They will open In Chicago October 13, playing
there two weeks, and then go direct to New
York for an extended stay. Miss Russell has
an immense drawing power, and the tour of
her new play will Include only the large
Eastern cities at first. Miss Counties is now
In Denver, Colo., resting with her suiter. Miss
Daisy Crooks, and her mother, Mrs. Crooks.
She will go back to New York about August
1 to begin rehearsals with Miss Russell's com
pany. Rose Eytinge writes from New York: "I
wonder how many women young, meridian,
middle-aged, and old are wandering up and
down town, up and down stairs. In and out
of managers' and agents' offices Just now
seeking engagements? I have no doubt -I
must plead guilty to the charge of being a
bit transcendental. Unbusinesslike I kn,ow
I am, but the way In which the women of
my guild are obliged to do this work pre
sents to me a very sad spectacle. I quite
realise that this state of things Is a clear
case of cause and effect, and is the result
of over-supply. All these actresses seek New
York, as bees seek a garden where the
sweetest flowers bloom.- They are all eeek
ing the garden where the fairest blossoms
bloom, the blossoms of a metropolitan en
gagement." Henry B. Harris announces the following
schedule of opening dates for his companies:
September 3. Rose Stahl in James Forbes'
four-act play. "The Chorus Lady,"- at the
Hollls-Street Theater. Boston: September 3,
Robert Edeson's third season in William C.
DeMIUe's play of American college life.
"Strongheart." at the Newark Th?ter. New
ark, N. J.: September 3, "The Lion and the
Mouse." by Charles Klein, at the Park Thea
ter. Boston: September 3, "The Lion and the
Meuse." at Asbury Park. N. J.; September 3,
"The Lion and the Mouse." at Schenectady,
N. Y. : September 8. Inauguration of the sec
ond season of the original company of "The
Lion and the Mouse" at the Lyceum Theater,
New York: September 10. "The Daughters of
Men." a new play by Charles Klein, at the
Colonial Theater. Boston, which date will pre
cede the New York engagement of this play.
NEW BILL AT THE GRAND.
Attractive Vaudeville Programme
Today and New Acts Tomorrow.
This day closes the engagement of the
attractive vaudeville bill which has been
at the Grand during the past week. On
the list are some very talented people,
such as the three Musical KeJtoru, Milton
Dawson and company,' Armstrong and
Holly and others. The programme is well
arranged, having an assortment of spe
cialties ranging from musical turns to
athletic and singing aeti The perform
ances will be from 2:30 to t and again at
7: SO and 9:30 sharp.
Tomorrow begins a new programme and
one which promises to even surpass the
present offerings. Tha topllner will be
"Her Last Chance," a delightful and
strong playlet, produced by Edith Bombey
and company. To give this little drama
requires the services of four good actors.
It will be found one of the most prc;en
tious plays seen here In vaudeville in the
past year. 'Another especially attractive
feature will be "Carlsslma," a romantic
playlet presented by Cora Beech Turner
and company. For this special scenery
has been painted and the costume.-? are
picturesque. The play Is one dealing witn
gypsy life.
Miss Turner has exceptional opportuni
ties in It to display her well-known emo
tional ability. Frances Folsom and boy
will Introduce a vocal novelty. This will
be an act in which comedy and harmony
neatly biend and In which the audience is
a.-'sured of a pleasant surprise.
The Lifeboat Quartet cosies well rec
ommended. The press along the circuit
says that this quartet Is one of the best
visiting the Pacific Coast. A comical turn
Is announced by Clifford and Mack, who
will dish up something new. John Burke
will contribute to the entertainment by
rendering the latest musical hit. "Sister,"
accompanied by illustrations. For tha
Grandiscope there will be one of the most
amusing films of the season. This is the
bill which will be given every afternoon
and evening this week and It should pack
the theater.
M. B. CCRTIS AT PAXTAGES.
Eminent Act in Revival of "Saru'J
of Posen."
In the announcement that the celebrat
ed actor, M. B. Curtis, Is to appear at
Fantages Theater this week is brought
to light another story of vaudeville en
terprise. No sooner had Mr. Curtis
reached here from Australia, where he has
passed several years, than he was be
sieged with offers from vaudeville mana
gers and others. Several houses adver
tised having secured him, but It remained
for the management of Fantages Thea
ter to put in the most attractive bid.
Mr. Curtis will be on hand all week In
his famous "Sam'l o' Posen," which made
him famous, and which all oldtimere will
remember. Mr. Curtis will be supported
by his wife and his own troupe in thia
delightful play.
Another distinct feature will be Will
Eske, the noted conjurer and magician,
who comes direct from Minneapolis to
Fantages. He is one of the best ma
gicians of the country and does many
new and rare tricks. The Garcia sisters
are a team of attractive singing and
dancing soubrettcs, who will add much
to the bill. Ahern. the whistler, presents
a novel whistling act, replete with Imi
tations of birds and musical instruments.
His various Imitations are unsurpTrssed.
Lord and Meeks are premier comedy
sketch artists, who will put on a new
sketch. Jean Wilson will sing a new 11
kistrated ballad, and moving pictures will
obncludo the performance.
The bill ending today is one of the not
able vaudeville offerings of the entire
season. There is a little of everything
on hand, from grand opera to farce-comedy.
The Metropolitan singers are people
of wonderful voices, and their scene from
"Fra Diavolo" la unsurpassed. Little
Helen, the California magnet, is worth
going far to see: Thomas and Evans are
clever comedians, and all the other acts
are of a high order.
"THREE MEN IN A CL'ir'BOARD."
New Musical Farce Starts at the
Star Tomorrow.
In "A Quiet Family," the farce
which the Star stock company is play
ing today for the last time, there are
more' laughs to the square inch than
In any other farce seen here since the
stock company was organized. The
plot has to do with the tribulations of
two married couples, and every mar
ried person in town should see "A
Quiet Family," for they are guaran
teed many hearty laughs from the
complications which occur. The vaude
ville end is well taken care of. On
the list will be found Madam Wanda's
educated coach dogs; Marie De Wood,
she singer: Coyne and Tingling, acro
bats; the illustrated song and three
sets of moving pictures.
With the matinee tomorrow the at
traction of tha Star stock company
will be "Three Men in a Cupboard."
This is one of those rousing farces in
which there is nothing but action. The
title itself indicates that there ara
some lively movements on the part of
the three principal comedians. The
plot is Just strong enough to demand
recognition, but never intrudes. The
comedy is of the rapid-fire type, as is
also the reoartee. One thing is al
ways noticeable at the Star the come
dians never hesitate in their dialogue
to make all the local Jokes and refer
ences which the text will permit, and
every gag of this kind is good for a
laugh.
For the olio there is a goodly array
of talent selected. The principal en- '
tertainer will be Harry Jolson, from
France. As a singer and story teller
he comes with the indorsement of crit
ics. Maude Beatty is a card which
will appeal to music lovers. Miss
Beatty was formerly of the Tlvoll, and
has Just closed an engagement with
tho San Francisco opera company at
Seattle. Both in San Francisco and
the Puget Sound city Miss Beatty won
the highest nraise for her excellent
voice. A collection of amusing pic
tures and "Longing; for You," as the
illustrated song, will round out the
programme.
"A WIFE'S PERIL."
Bright, Thrilling, Well Written Mel
odrama at the Lyric.
"A Wife's Peril," the new bill to open
at the Lyric tomorrow (Monday) after
noon, is an emotional melodrama in four
acts a splendid, well-written, up-to-date
play. George Fane (Frank Fanning) is a
civil engineer who is called away from
home very much, leaving his wife, Beat
rice (Miss Howard), by herself, and an
easy prey to the villain, Raphael Du Rl
vola (Mr. Whitney), who persuades her to
elope with him. leaving home and child
Just before Fane arrives.' Mrs. Merri
weather (Miss Power), Beatrice's sister,
finds a letter explaining the flight. She
determines to follow them and bring
Beatrice back. She takes along her ar
dent lover, Gus Chumley (Mr. Conners).
to assist, and they succeed in bringing
husband and wife together again, the hus
band relenting because of the dying child.
They then go for a trip to Europe, where
Rivola. the villain, again forces his at
tentions) and ho Is challenged to a duel
by and shot by George Fane. The com
edy is supplied by Chumley and Mrs.
Merriweather. The situations are strong
and the climaxes thrilling. The dialogue
is interesting and bright. Act first is
George Fane's house. Act second. Rlvola's
studio, and acts third and fourth a hotel
at Naples.
The full cast is as follows:
George Fane Frank Fanning
Augustus Cholmondeley... Charles Conners
Raphael di Rivoli Sterling L. Whitney
Thomas Carroll McFarland
Edward; Carroll McFarland
Beatrice Fane ,.Warda Howard
Mrs. Merriweather ...Adelaide Power
EARTHQUAKES AND FIRE.
Moving Pictures of the San Fran
cisco Disaster at the Baker.
The most complete series of views ever '
got together are those of Miles Brothers,
now on exhibition at the Baker Theater.
These pictures were secured at a great
expense and at the rl&k of life and limb,
being the only genuine ones made of the
great disaster. They show scenes of San
Francisco before and after the earth
quake. The pictures "run an hour and
three quarters, covering the entire burnt
district, and the slides, numbering up
ward of 200, are thrown on the canvas
so as to show scenes of the same build
ings before and after their destruction.
There have been many photographs
taken of the ruins since the disaster,
showing scenes- as they are today, but the
chance of a lifetime is afforded all who
will spare the time to visit the Baker
Theater and see vividly portrayed on
canvas the burning of a great city. The
queer freaks caused by the earthquake,
the lire eating up block after block, peo
ple running madly here and there look
ing lor places of salety, business blocks
blown up by dynamite, ail are so reallstlt-
I ai'.y shown thst one feeiSthe horror of
tn:s, tne worm s greatest disaster. Two
I shows are given dally. Matinee 2:15 and
evenings at S:I0.