Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-08-14
1.-THE WIFE"
The Lyceum Compap " at the
Grand Opera T Iouse.

Grand Opera T louise.
Last night.at the Grar ID Opera House
was given the most fin lshed and perfect
presentment of any LAY ever witnessed
in Los Angeles. II ,e play was TheSW1e,
modern Amer can society comedy
drama, from the pens of the Messrs. d.
Belasco and lenry G. DeMille, and it
was performe' 1 by Mr.. Daniel Frohman's
company fr' M the Lyceum Theatre, New
York.
The pl' AZ is an excellently constructed
bit OF CT ,uHedy in the highest and most
refne'i plane OF that branch of dramatic
art. 1t is finished in all its details. 1t is
spr .ghtly in dialogue, has plenty OF action
in, it, and is "a clean, pure domestic
1lrarsa. Nor is it by any means all COM
tedy. There are many passages in 1t con.
stracted of strong lines, and scenes OF
great power.
1t is difficult to speak of this perform
snce in detail without going into an ex-
4 haustive critique of each and every line
of the play, and of every member of the
jcompany. 1t is all as nearly perfect as
icould be. Every detail is given special
attention and nothing is wanting. The
staging is not by any means so elaborate
as obtains at the Lyceum still the piece
was very creditably set.
The heaviest draft in the way of acting
is made on Mr.. Kelcey, Mr.. Wheatcroft
and Mr.. Miller, among the men in the
cast. As Senator Rutherford, Mr.. Kel-
cey played his part into the highest fin
ish OF detail with great discrimination and
with much force in the exigent lines OF
his role. AS a genteel villain, Mr..
lWheatcroft presented most artistic
conception of his part and Mr.. Miller,
to use horsey phrase, is an excellent
!, second to the leading man in the cast.
He did some very judicious, yet de-
cidedly powerful acting last night.
The ladies in the cast are in all re
spects artistes OF very exalted type.
Miss Cayvan in the title role looks
charming, dressed with exquisite taste,
, and played a difficult part with con-
summate grace and artless art.
Miss Henderson is accounted one OF
the handsomest women on the
American stage. She has a most en-
chanting stage presence. Her 1.-the,
willowy, graceful form, her elastic
movement and exquisite poses won the
admiration of the house. And hel
voice! When she speaks what music in
every tone! 1t is SO mellow, so low, SC
like a silver bell in its quality
Her role is not an enhancing one, but in
any role this handsome woman with hel
musical voice and nameless grace of ac
ton would command admiration.
AS naive, piquant, bewitching girl
Miss Dillon will hold her OWE
in any company. She has ap-
appeared heretofore before Los Angeles
audience, and in few seconds she made
a place in all their hearts which is MOI
to be alenated. Hers was congenia
role last night and the part fitted hel
like a glove.
One would like to 60 on and analyze
this play and company bit by bit until
all it's details were fully covered; but il
room were not limited, such an effort
could add little to the satisfaction of the
immense and brilliant audience which
enjoyed the performance last night;
and it would fail to convey much
of an idea to those who were
not so fortunate. The play holds
the boards all the week, and judging by
the packed boxes, loges, parquet, dress
circle, balcony and gallery of last night,
by the end of the week all who ever see
Anything will see this play. 1t is thor
oughly worth seeing.