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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 1908)
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND. DECEMBER. 6, 1908. SICILIAN ACTORS INVADE NEW YORK CITY AND GIVE A HAIR-RAISING PERFORMANCE - - .... - milift Trances Bauer Writes of Stage Conditions in Ea stern City, and Tells of New Plays Now Being Presented. N I W YORK. Nov. 30. (Special CnY- respondence.) There Is no limit to the attractions this week in the Innumerable theaters In New York, together with two opera-houses where "Parsifal" was on at the Metropolitan and "Carmen" at the Manhattan. They have been well filled of late., and that prosperity Is on Ms way back cannot be doubted when glancing over the theaters of New York. It seems to me that no one yet has ever been able to estimate Just how many the aters there are, because they spring up like mushrooms after a rain. But they do not partake of the character istics as far as a short life Is con cerned, for most of them grow to be healthy. . hearty Institutions. This means financially, or course, as many of them are anything but healthy In their offerings. The long awaited Sicilians have at last arrived and opened on Monday night at the Broadway. There were those who thought that they were writhing under the emotions of th'e operatic setting of "Marta of the Low lands." as depicted In Eugene d' Albert's ""Tlefland." but this was mild beside ' the excitement Into which the spec tator was thrown who witnessed the first performance of these remarkable players on the same night Just a block from the Metropolitan. Not only American actors, but foreigners who present themselves for American hon ors, have a certain regard for con ventionalities, but these actors are re alists In the extreme and know of no reason why passion should not be per-1 mitted fullest scope. It was a hair raising performance they gave of a Sicilian drama called "Malta," by Lulgl Capuana, In itself not so startling, but as performed by these players lurid in every sort of emotion. One can hardly help wondering whether they represent the characteristics of their own coun try, because It is hard to believe that In any civilized nation people should give up so completely to their ele mentary natures and that emotions should have such a free rein. The leading woman is Mlml Agoglla, who :s remarkable beyond description in the portrayal of passion which amounts to a frenzy. One sometimes feels that a little more restraint would strengthen the drawing, but of Its kind I It la brilliancy at its greatest. In this play she represents "Jana." who Is be trothed to a young Sicilian, "Nlnu." but In her love for her sister's hus band, "Cola." she leaves nothing to the Imagination. Her demeanor, from the moment of the sister's wedding to the opening of the flood gates of passion. Is such as to astonish as much as it revolts, because there is no phase, however slight, that is left untouched. as like a whirlwind she tears through the entire gamut of passion. It I horrible. In fact, one horror Is piled on top of another, as "Cola, who un derstand the situation, takes advan tage of the violence of her affection. Her ardor has cooled and her betrothed now learns of what happened. He de mands revenge and meets his rival In the street where, notwithstanding the attempt of the villagers to keep them apart, they plan a duel unto death. No such exhibition has ever been see under any conditions and one can only think of Infuriated beasts until the nnal leap when "Nlnu " seizes a razor and with one slash ends the combat. Words are weak to describe either the action Itself or the effect which it had upon the audience and It would not be possible to say whether this com pany will prove entirely revolting or a great sensation. The gifted cast of characters was as follows: J'na Mlml AitUKlla-Frrrau Ned.ia Tra AguKtla Zia.l'tna Marianna Balestrteri "atrlna Sasa Aguaila Vecchia Carlatla Rnslna Anselmt Nlnu Toto Majorana i'o!a Salvatore Lt Turco Massaro Paolo 'Nstddu. . .Salvatore Peszlnaa Don Saveria Teri Alessandro Anselm Mastro Nunzfo a. Attlllo Raplsarda .uactro Taddunza L.ulg-1 Agugila "A I-: 1 . 1 - . . . m f & t jfl'tiiiifiViiltfllV' an Z.- .'. y0 jt " s saTMsattatfl Willie Collier, who as dramatist is Will lam Collier, was received with open arms at the Garriek Monday night. He col laborated with J. Hartley Manners and succeeded In moving the story and char- acters from a mining camp in Nevada to a fashionable apartment In London, there by laying the opportunity for as many lashes of manners and opinions as can well come within the limits of the law. There ta no need of telling of Mr. Col lier s qualities as an actor, for he us one of the brightest representatives of the dramatic profession in America, and he lias been long enough before the public to know what it appreciates In the way of drolleries. He has provided himself not only with a very unusual play, but with a role especially adapted to hii lry. quiet humor. Mr. Collier as Sir Augustus Plantagenet Armltage is first presented to us as a miner, who, unable to find gold, was able to score with hi men by his habit of making speeches. In the mining camp he i an American pa triot, but In reality he isof the English nobility, and with his mining fraternity lie leaves the camp to enter the fashion able life in an exclusive London set. In order to inherit his uncle's fortune he will be compelled to marry his kinsman's ward, and under the training of a valet lie prepares to enter society. There is nothing funnier In the play than his lessons from the valet and hie final meet ing with the young lady who has been chosen for him. "The Patriot" finds himself, however, una the old mining MXe has made more of a man of him than the ttuperficlal life has made a gentleman and he throws over the girl in favor of the little Western girl and declares himself an Independent American. The lay Ifl full of quaint Collier sayings, and of course the audience applaud vio lently when he says, "Ten minutes in New York are better than ten years in London." and when the curtain goes down the audience knows that the "Patriot'' Is golit to marry the American girl to save her the trouble of climbing the hill to school every day. The cast follows." Rlr Augustus Plantaa-enet Armitage William Collier Fop Strong Stve JtalTsoii IVrrlval Robertahaw. t'!rtr "tVamnltkt! Hlvnn Kid Sugar Shorty NeM Hl;u Strong. . L'la I khii!a-Washt . .Jnhn Savllle ....Wallace Worsley Frank Weaterton Thomas Martin ...Thomas Heauregard Juhn B. Adam Buster V E Kelly Helen Hale Helena Colller-t;arrlrk T. Haula Marr Margaret Warren Honorable Ferguson Armitage Rez McDouxall (ialnsfiird Reginald Mason Albert .....Max Kuberg K-lwari James Merrill Mrji. Berkshire Annie Ksmond Nora Helena Bryne A third successful opening on Monday nV:lit was that of Annie Russell In a pl.iy called "The Stronger Sex." This is a soi-ety comedy which promises to bring lnrge audiences to the Weber Theater. The play was written by jnhn Valentine, and this is his first attempt, although he interested himself In literary work In Iamdon. Miss Russell has the sort of a part which she in expected to have In ''W York. This public has seen her In these parto before, and therefore her re appearance was much in the nature of a homecoming. While this is a comedy, and a society comedy at that, with Its graceful scenes and with that pathos with which those familiar with Annie Jtussell identify this crowning actress. V r 7 7A 1 J -KAnAMi:. -AGirOLZA JZJ.&ZAZtZA" OO-CXr there Is an emotional outburst In the sec ond act where "Mary," the mild little woman, turns on her husband wlt.i a revolver. , pf counse one is reasonably sure that It Isn't loaded, but she has her chancy at melodrama Just the same. Miss Russell as Mary Is an American heiress who has taken on an English husband, whom she believes would event ually be nil right If he could be properly whippea Into shape. He lives In her house and she makes him understand it. and adds Insult to Injury when she offers to put him on an allowance, for which he has to call the first day of each month. This, however, is due to the fact that she has discovered, on the day of their marriage, that her money was the attrac tion, and at that instant she made up her mind to conquer him. The useless Brit ish husband finally develops into a finan cial king, and there la a happy ending to an amusing and yet simple comedy. The cast Is as follows: Hon. Warren Barrlngton Oswald Yorke Mary . Miss Russell Oliver Thorpe ..Rohert Llrouet Robert Foray the Frank Petera Joan Forsythe Alma Kruger Mrs. Van Oarkerken Helen Tracy Mra. Davenport Cecilia Radclyffe Lady Frampton Ina Rorke Mrs. Prescott-Lane ....Louise De Rigney Itdy Day Nora Krumm The Hon. Miss Nicholson .. Mabel Frenyear Miss rholmondelay Agnes Wadley Miss Rose I.arkln Adelaide Barrett Mrs. Devereaux Caroline Wright Abraham Isaacs Dore Davidson Isaac Abraham William Wadsworth William James Du Sang Jenkins Elwyn Eaton Simpson W. A. Lincoln Oscar Hammersteln has his hands full now If ever. A man is supposed to be in only one place at a time, but he seems to solve the problem of being in New York and Philadelphia. He Is an in ventor of no mean capacity and much of his money has come through an Inven tion of some years ago. He is now work ing on how to carry a long-distance phone in his pocket so that when he Is at his meals he will not have to leave every three minutes for a half-hour con versation with the city In which he s not. The new opera-house In Philadel phia Is the most superb house of this sort perhaps In this country and seats In the orchestra 1S00 people. He gives four performances weekly there and In addition to his season here, he has all In the way of work that Is coming to one man. Hammerstein has added to his reputatisn by acquiring the rights to Strauss' "Elektra," which the direct ors of the Metropolitan feel should have come to that housp, and It is rumored that there are strong feelings against Dippel, to whom Hiis was entrusted. While It might have been possible to secure this for the Metropolitan, it would have seemed doubtful, as Strauss was more than sore against the management of the Metropolitan and not egainst Conreld. as the objection and the con- CHRISTMAS SALE FINE ARTWARE AT ONE-HALF REGULAR PRICES High-Grade Potteries, Artware, Imported China and Brasses J All at One-Half Price m "We are?absolutely closing out all the wares now carried on the third floor. This immense space abounds with appropriate suggestions for Christmas gifts', and wc now put all these goods on sale which will enable those seeking presents of lasting merit, to secure them at prices never offered before. In fact, we have never Xresented a better opportunity to purchase the finest products of the Old and New World. This sale includes every article on the third floor which includes the following new, handsome and well assorted lines: ' . . I v i '-OftfuhaaillHajiVVw- Stouffer's Hand-painted China. Imported Hand-painted China. Hand-Hammered Brasses. -Japanese Bronzes. -Cloisonne Wares. ' . Imported Amphora. Royal Doulton. Delia Robia. Rozane. Royal Bonn Ware. ' Imported Waste Baskets. Candlesticks (100 shapes). Imported Bonaparte Ware. Japanese Kouchi Ware. Cedar Chests. Japanese Dinner Gongs. Bombay Reed Baskets. Royal Vienna Ware. Hanging Baskets. Austrian Ware. Teplitz Ware. Bavarian Vases. Tiffany Ware. Imported German Steins. rirpat fhanr.e to Get TWo or Three Pieces of FINE ART WARE at the Price (Third Floor) You Usually Pay for One. (Take Elevator) PERFUME ATOMIZERS A splendid display in China, Bo hemian' and Venetian Glass beau tifully decorated extra good rub ber bulbs, covered with silk net. EXCEPTIONAL VALUES FROM 50c TO $3.00 v I ' ' ; . Buy "Her a Glove Certificate GILLETTE Safety Razors Just the correct and most useful present for any man. Standard Gillette set containing handle, 12 blades, in morocco grain case, violet plush lined $5. Fancy sets, $7.50, $9, $12, $15, $22.50. Buy "Him" a Gillette Razor sequent removal of "Salome" came from the directors and not from tile manage ment. However, Hammerstein has the rights and In all probability "Elektra" will be seen there before the end of this seasdn. Schumann-Helnk, who Is mak ing a triumphal tour of Europe, has been engaged to create the great part of Clytemnestra. which in a certain sense is more important than the title role. It was stated earlier that 1f Mr. Ham merstein succeeded In acquiring "Elek tra" Mary Garden would have the title role, especially after Strauss saw her powers as "Salome." Miss Garden has several new roles that are extremely congenial to her. One of these is that of Jean, the simple, which Is the lead ing character in Massenet's "I Jong leur de Notre Dame," an opera written exclusively for men, but Massenet re wrote the part for Miss Garden after her remarkable success In "Thais." The story Is one of great beauty and the Massenet .music enhances It greatly. As Boniface, the cook, Renaud has one of his most attractive roles, but alto gether different from the parts in which MARY GARDEN IN "THAIS" IS THE GREAT . SENSATION OF NEW YORK OPERA SEASON 1 -1 ' TW) ' aO , : VS. i i ! e 1 1 rr-- NEW YORK, Pec. 1. especial Corre spondencesMary Garden is In a large measure the sensation of the opera 3ason this year, as she was a year ago. She will app?ar this week In "Le Jongleur de Xotre Dame," by Massenet. In which she will take the part of a bov. The part was intended for tenor, .but t he composer obligingly rewrote it for MIks Garden. The story Is Interesting that of the street Juggler who joins a holy or der and who not knowing how he may phi.se thevVirgin goes to her chapel andj kneeling before the altar sings his street songs and tosses the batls in the air. It Is a patheti3 story, and it haa been set to well-scored and Interesting music. though not music of the highest order. In fact, the street songs are tne most 7HSO VZEW5, -3 characteristic and interesting part of the musical score. MLss Garden should be Interesting In the part of a boy. She carries herself well In the flimsy costume of "Thais." The greatest Interest In Miss Garden's appearance this season, how ever, docs not center In the production of this week, but in the Strauss "Salome" which is to be done In Hecernber. Miss Giirden is adept' In the art of arousing puolic anticipation. So she has allowed the facts about her "f'nlome" to crxp out gradually, and has reserved the de scription of her .costume till the last moment. Publio curiosity is on edge in New York. Miss Garden's voice is a subject of controversy. To some ears It has little melody and no sympathy. In f?.ct, the persons who like Miss Garden's vocalizing are few. But, like Katisha, Miss Garden "hs a left shoulder blade which people come miles to see." In "Thais" they see not only the left shoul der blade of Miss Garden, but tle perfect outline of the rest of her figure. Only c suit of fleshings stands between Miss, Garden and Eve's simplicity. we are accustomed to se this polished artist and singer. The period of the opera is the four teenth century and the scene of action Is in and about the Monastery of Cluny, which In the Middle Ages was famous as a center of piety and learning. The curtain rises on the public square of the village, on one side of which stands the abbey, with the statue of the virgin over the door. It Is the first of May and market day. Both boys and girls are dancing the "Bergerette." Mar ket men and women are vending their wares. To the delight of the crowd, a strolling juggler is seen approaching. They are disappointed to find him young and of sorry mien; hungry-looking and poverty-stricken. "King Famine!" somebody exclaims, though he boldly announces himself as the "king of jug glers." He makes his little speech, an nouncing his entertainment, which is me with derision by the assembly. One aftev another calls for a song. "The Praise of Wine" Is selected by popular vote, which Jean the juggler, after begging pardon of the holy virgin, proceeds to sing in a thin, quavering voice to the chorus of the villagers. Suddenly the door of the abbey opens and the prior appears upon the steps, indignation written upon his countenance. The crowd flees, leaving Jean alone and trembling. The prior de nounces his irreverence and pictures the awful punishment in the hereafter meted out to Jugglers and their kind. He advises him to renounce his mode of life and seek to save his soul by becom ing a monk. The appearance of Brother Boniface, the monk who presides over the monastery kitchen, mounted on his ass, laden with choice viands for the brethren, finally convinces the starving juggler that there is wisdom in the prior's advice. Upon the announcement that dinner Is ready, all the monks flie into the abbey, little Jean slowly follow--ing. In the second act the monks gather In the studyhall of the Abbey. Each is at the work which he has chosen in his iervice of the Virpin. the newly completed ' statue of whom occupies a conspicuous position. Around the musician monk sev eral are gathered learning a hymn -which he has composed in the Virgin's honor. Present also are the painter monk, the poet monk and the sculptor monk. It is not long before they become involved in a heated argument,, as to whose service is the most , acceptable to the Holy Mother. Their dispute reaches the point of acrimony wnen the prior interposes and compels them to embrace one another in fraternal love. Then all leave the hall, Jean and the big-hearted Boniface. Poor Jean is in the depths of despair. He feels that there is nothing that he can do to honor the Virgin. Then Boniface points out to him the virtues of sim plicity and humility as opposed to such exhibition of spiritual pride as he has Just witnessed. What the Virgin esteems most is the humble service of the humblest human being.. The painter monk is putting a few fin ishing touches on the statue of tlto Vir gin in the abbey chapel when, as the cur tain rises on the third act. he observes little Jean entering stealthily on tip-toe, and carrying his Juggler's bag. Hiding behind a pillar, the painter watches the little fellow remove ihls monk's garb, dis closing himself in his Juggler's outfit. Jean has concluded that lie. too, will honor the Virgin by exercising the only art of which he has knowledge. Accord ingly, he proceeds tq perform his customary Juggler's entertainment lie fore the Madonna. He is in the midst of the performance when, the other monks, notified by the painter, enter, headed by the prior. They are amazed and indignant at this profanation of the sanctuary and are about to rush upon Jean to eject him. The good Boni face however, stops them with a ges ture, pointing to the statu of the Virgin. A strange light gleams around her face. "A miracle! they all exclaim. while celestial voices are heard in the air. Kit tle Jean, however, is prostrate, begging forgiveness from the prior. The latter raises him and asks that he, rather, pray for them. The youth then, discovering the illumination of the Virgin's features, becomes transfixed. An ecstasy possossts him too strong for his frail body. At last he knows the truth, "the blessedness nf the simple." Tho Holy Virgin and Heaven's angels are calling him and his soul passes away, while the monks chant the Kyrie Elclson, their voices blended with the angelic Hallelujahs from nbovo. EMI LIE FRANCES BAL'BIt: I'ntakrri; Not Paid For. Calgary Herald. Andy McTavLsh was "no feolln' juist wee," so he went to the doctor and stated Ills complaints. "What do you drink?" demanded tha medico. "Wliusky." "How much?" ' "Maybe a bottle a day." "Do you smoke?" "Yes." "How much?" . . "Two ounces a day." "Well, you give up whisky and louiiec altogether." Andy took up his cap and in three steps reached tho door. "Andy." called tho doctor, "you have not paid for my advice!" Alim no' takkin' it." snapped Andy, a he shut tho door behind him. The Very I.nteNt. Puck." 1 Oh. I lov- the modern story! In its modish cloths I glory. Outfits trig. And the iashio i-pl.i ted hero. With his blood about at zero, Is a prig. I adore the six-bost-seller. With Ita people swell and swelier. Anil its sham. I admire tho hero's strutting And his wealtu of truly cutting Epigmri. You may have the Dickens novel. With Its background of the hovel And the Jail: Put I'll pay rny dollirr-tif ty For the smartly bound n nd nifty Swairtrer t;ile. 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