Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-01-07
tsA Possible CMse.D

A large and appreciative audience as
sembled at the Los Angeles theater last
night to greet the first presentation in
this city of A Possible Case by the Union
Square Theater Company. The play is
capital one, and the personnel OF the
combination embraces artists of marked
and varied talents. In the second act
husbands become as thick as huckleber-
ries on June hillside in an Eastern
State. In fact, as to the Sefiora Men
doza, they recall Queen Glumdalca's in
junction to one of her favorite maids, in
Fielding's comic opera of Tom Thumb
''to pick out as many husbands as yor
think you'll need"
The play was presented in specially
attractive manner, the stage settings
being often novel and charming. The
plot is ingenious, the dialogue sparkling
and the company far beyond the usual
range of such organizations. Mr.. NJ. A.
Kennedy, as the much married "Ottc
Brinkerhoff," developed abilities of the
first class as a comedian. No man
now on the stage could give a mel.
lower Interpretation to this role, which
requires humor of high order, digni-
fed yet genial presence, elegant manners
and the bonhommie of the practiced man
of the world. All these were embodied
in an exceptional degree in Mr.. Kennedy.
This gentleman is an old California
favorite. AS the manager of the Bush
street theater, some seven or eight years
ago, he was one of the most popular men
on the Pacific Coast. His notable merit
has been appreciated all over the Ameri
can continent, and we are glad to record
the fact that he improves with the pass
ing years. He is quite entitled to rank
in the same grade as Ben DeBar and
Mark Smith, and he possesses delicacy
which both of those great actors, who,
like himself, were managers, lacked.
The company in its ensemble is clever
to an unusual degree. The "Violet Men
doza" of Miss Helen Russell is a clear
cut study which is heightened by most
picquant face and graceful presence. Her
arch play Of expression is histrionic
endowment. Miss Belle Archer made
an interesting rendition of "Gladys,"
and reinforced good dramatic methods
by beauty of face and person. The
villain of the piece, "Seflor de Vidas, !"
is capital hit in character acting. His
make-up.and accent are notably thorough.
In this specially Mr.. Herbert Archer
has really achieved something essentially
artistic. Mr.. Charles Dickson made q
very pleasant impression as "Allen
Weeks" and the whole caste was far out
of the common.
No greater triumph has ever been
chronicled in Los Angeles than the set
ting Of this play, the company bringing
it's own scenery. We may add that no
play has been presented in California
since Diplomacy was given with Mon
tague, Maude Granger and Jeffreys-
Lewis in the caste-all in their prime
that assures more even enjoyment.
The Mexican glamour is an offset to the
brilliant Monte. Carlo aud European in.
cidents of Diplomacy. The success of A
Possible Case has been all that could have
been hoped for by the management.
No one who loves an evening of genuine
enjoyment should fail to put in an ap-
pearance for at least one night of the
season. 1t holds the boards at the Los
Angeles Tor the remainder of the week.