The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-05

Mr. Thomas W. heene has Stultlueu the
favorite remark by our people that Cali
.fOrnians, and san FranciScans in particular,
always hold in kind remembrance the actor
or actress who has once made good I'M
preston here. The remark may have had
some foundation years ago, or before the
railroad era, if you like, wien the population
of both the city and State was at stand
still but its application to the present
changing and busting community is out OF
place and altogether foolish. During his
earlier sojourn in this city, the name OF
''Iom Keene" was a sort of household word
among the lovers Of the drama, and the
presence of the man himself everywhere as
welcome as flowers in May. He returns 20
find the class of people lie used TO
meet dead or dispersed, and in its
place one that knows not Joseph" Mr..
Keene is, therefore, playing on his merits.
He las not that following which, in the
earlier days, made his presence on the stage
q satisfaction to himself, encouraged him to
put forth his best efforts; when it was
hands all round" 1t is much more de-
sirable. of course, to act before an audience
the members of which have the kindly light
of friendship in their eyes than TO appeal
10 one where only the repellant influence Of
g the coolest criticism is felt; but after all, It
is professionally wholesome for the actor TO
be treated in the latter way. Mr. heene has
himself found this out during his career as
a.legitimate actor in the Eastern States,
where his seasons have been invariably
profitable.
HIS RICHARD III "
Was not a judicious opening for his return
to this city, and when put on the stage
should not have been continued for week,
although, as we are Informed, the gentleman
has played the tragedy to a good profit.
Every theater-goer seems to have an opinion
of his own as to the way in which the
crook back tyrant ought 10 be impersonated,
inst as he has in regard to Hamlet, aRG- his
has laid in a stock of threadbare criticisms
regarding both, which-he is fond Of airing
AS his own, but which in nine cases out Of
ten will not stand the test Of intelligent
analysis. Keene ran against the admirers
of-Sullivan, Sheridan, Booth and the others,
AID willie his persOnation of the much
vexed part had many notable merits and
showed invest cation, thought and study,
those who had made up their minds and ac-
acepted the names mentioned as eXemplars
81 had no place for him as an exponent OF Rich
ard. He ought to have appeared in a new
Dlay-he has several new ones IN his roper
tory. He would then have been free from
comparisOn-Olten mistaken for criticism
at-Lhe outset of his engagement, and, If he
wanted to show his quality in the stage
worn tragedy, might have given Us night
or two of ii at the close. By bad Judgment
the best man IN the profession IS some times
sacrificed in the house OF his friends.
louis XII"
=. For the present week Louis the Elev-
.enth." Hamlet" and Richelieu" will be
presented. The dramatized version of the
French Kings life that Mr.. heene presents
:. IS not the one the late Dion BOucicault con-
tfibuted to our dramatic literature; 1t is an
;adadtatiOn by Edward Arden and -
Smith. The feeling of contempt Guizot, the
French historian, had for Louis pervades 1t,
and: his bloody and treacherous nature is
brought out in stronger relief than in some
other adaptations. More light features and
comedy are also used to relieve business
necessarily somher on account Of the ma
.tariaIused. Mr.. Keene played the charac-
ter to a. run. in Brooklyn last February.
-- THE CAST.
DUE DUE de Nem5urs Mr. George LeaTOeE
charles the cauphin.......Mr Edmund +. Lawrence
Jacques Cotier, physician to the King
Paulip d. Confines, the Court HI storan.: ,......
tristan iEfmite. Provost Marshal Mr. Eugene Moore
Qiyer Ie Dain, Minister to the King
john Balfonr Scotch MI Thomas R. Eagleson
#5s5 s;s5sy l s5s
jacques, herdsman. Mr.. j. }. Cummings
oalcsr Of the Guard. Mr.. Frank Norton
Marie daughter to Confines Miss Lavlnla shannon
BarGeli Miss Jennie Ellison
= Hamlet" will. be presented on Taurday.
I.Richelieu" on Friday.