Arizona republican., 1890-06-22
THE DRAMA IN FRISCO.

pRN"A lN fNioSOs
 SAN FRANCIsCo, June 19, lS90.- This city has been blessed with some very fine attractions, theatrically, of late. The long jumps from the Rockies to the coast has long since ceased to be a bar and now California is almost equally favored with the East. Wilson Barrett has done fine business during his three weeks stay at the Baldwin. He is superb actor and has splended company. Strong adjectives, I know, but he deserves them. The more I see of him the more I am com pelled to regard him as remarkably gifted and able man. He is not simply an actor, he is an earnest and conscien- tious scholar, and his productions bear in every detail the imprint of his genius. In harmony and truthfulness they are of a high order and their freedom from anachronisms is very grateful to the cultivated eye and ear. We see so many productions where the costumes of the centuries are so hopelessly mixed. He is an actor of virility and versatility. Imagine a man playing "Hamlet" one night and the "Silver King" the next. But it gives no offence, for he makes the modern English play seem study from life, and lifts it out of the domain of melodrama. He has given here, "Claudian," Hamlet" ''Ben-My- Chree," Nowadays" "The Silver King" and triple bill, "Chatterton, {" "The Color Sergeant" and "A Clerical Error." His Hamlet" is carefully considered and con- sistent effort. He makes of the Dane young man, not yet attained to his majority, and makes number of changes in the arrangement of the acts. The performance certainly gains in picturesqueness viewed in his light. "Claudian" is very impressive, and though of modern creation, is almost a classic. His audiences have been very enthusiastic and this actor, who at home ranks next after Irving, has won golden opinions here.
 Saturday night witnessed the last performance of "The Senator" This is play which I can wish no one more thorough enjoyment than to see, as in terpreted by Mir. Cranes company. An American play, by American authors, played by an American company. And the band played 'The Star Spangled Banner" But l have already written you about it. The house was crowded the last night and the audience was wildly enthusiastic. In response to the call at the end of the third act, the members of the company, as they have every night during the engagement. for MT. Crane does not take all the honors tn hirpa paalf Hla1 hafpra hn nnrtnip md across the stage, two at time, Mrs. Barrymore and Mir. Crane coming last, and receiving regular ovation. saw Mrs. Barrymore at Manager Gottlob's benefit on Sunday night as Lady Teasle in the quarrel and screen scenes from "The School for Scandal, 1" with John Jack as Sir Peter. That woman is an actress. She comes of a theatrical family and is not the least of them.
 Held by the Enemy" met with great favor during it's two weeks stay at the California. 1 have seen it better given, but it is still very creditable perform ance. Minnie Dupree makes an ex- cellent Susan. l cannot compare her with Miss Dillon since l never saw the latter in the part. l saw the play in Boston at the Museum given by the stock company of that theatre some years ago. It was the first season of the play Isabelle Evesson, who came to the coast as Dearest in "Fauntleroy" first visit of the company was the susan; May Davenport was the Rachel |; Nanderfelt, who was on the coast in N,liasEajS tho ('n1 colt Burbeck the General Haverill in Shenandoah" was the spy Frazer Coulter was the surgeon and Vim. Seymour was the old darkey. It was a fine cast, although think Dupree much the better adapted to the part of Susan than was Evesson.
 w. A. Brady's company have been giv- ing An Irish Arab" at the Alcazar, with Bobby Gaylor in the title role. He makes a iie-like and amusing Irishman.
 
 l saw Gilbert and Sullivan's latest opera, ''The Gondoliers," at the Tivoli last week. It is claimed to be the only production the opera will receive on the coast. We might call it fair if Gilbert and Sullivan had not done so much bet ter. The music is more or less pretty, but not a bit catchy, and is reminiscent rather than original. And Sullivan has given us so many bright things in his other operas. Then the libretto is dull Here and there flash of Gilbertian Wit, but few and far between. A first class company might perhaps make something of it, but the Tivoli people are not equal to it. However, l pre- sume the management do not care so very much, as the house is crowded every night, the people drawn by curi- uslty, imagine.
 Three theaters change their bills this week. The London Gaiety company in Faust Up To Date" at the Baldwin, The Old Homestead" at the California, and "A Long Lane" at the Bush-Street. saw the Gaiety company last night. 1-..- I Il T