The morning call., 1890-05-20
THE THEATERS.
Many Novelties Before the Pub.
lie Last Evening.
Good Houses to See "The Senator" The
Highest Bidder" The Empress" Etc.
Concert-General Mention.

temperance IN this city at the Baldwin last
evening in new historical play from the pen OF
Albert Roland Haven entitled Josephine, En-
press OF The French. The story is founded on
the divorce proceedings between Josephine
and her royal husband, Napoleon Bon
aparte. The principal Incidents are the
arrival OF the unwelcome tidiDgs OF the
death of the Prince of Holland, the
Emperors pIesumptive heir. the divorce, the
parting, birth OF the King OF Rome, meeting be-
tween Josephine and the Empress and the death
of the former. Tie play is Of too lugnbrous a
Character TO he popular, heavy gloom running
right through it. There is not gmmer of com
edy TO relieve its somberness 1t is not badly
written, but IL is wrongly conceived. The story
as il Is r1fOlded does not interest the spectator,
only serving TO weary. Last nights audience
was kindly disposed but ii was easy to be that
they bored at times and that their ap-
plause often intended encouragement to
the players and not as appreciation OF the play
wtlghts work. AT times one often wondered at
The labored manner in which the play was run
ming, whether II was the actors or the playwright
that was at fault. In our opinion, 1t was one
ana the other. Mile. Rhea was particularly
happy in her representation OF the unfortunate
Empress Josephine. She has, however, evil
IDENTIFY searched The best historical records in her
endeayOrs 10 give reality and life 10 the
character. Her devotion 10 the Emperor
was distinctly marked aud her resignation on
ambition that she should be divorced and he
marry again in order to obtain an helr-she hav.
ing born him no chIldren-was very touching.
Her parting with the Emperor and the
death scene were admirably acted. Her work
was somewhat maTred by her, at times, ill.,
distinct utterance, as when the situation de-
manded rapid delivery ii was impossible
TO follow her at all. She was called before the
curtain several times and WAS The recipient OF
several handsome floral offerings. Her costumes
very costly and becoming. Mr. William
Napoleon, and his excellent treatment of The
character showed great care and study. Mr.. j.
NJ FraucenT, young Californian, as Talley-
rand an important role, would have been very
acceptable had lie been more distinct ia his ap.
pearance. Miss lda Van Siclen would have
made pleasing Pauline Bonaparte had she
been less artificial. The remaining Characters
were moderately well filed. Rhea's engagement
is for one week only. Saturday Will be the last
night.
Mile. Rhea was welcomed by full ana fash
a floral piece in The form OF ship tour feet high
aud three feel long was passed over the loot
lights. she also received many other large and
beautiful flower pieces OF rare and costly bios
SONS. The costumes worn by the actress were
oil tile most beautiful and expensive materials,
and made in The most correct style OF the times
III which the unhappy Josephine lived
There was nothing noticeable iii tue toilets oil
the ladies IN The audience, wraps and light bon
nets with dark dresses beng Inc rule.
Among the dppreciaIiye audience were: Mr.
aud Mrs. Frank J. Sullivan, Mrs james ihelan,
Mr.. aud Mrs. Philip y. Lilienthal. Ml. aud Mrs.
Miss hancEeIIe, Mr. and Mrs. L. a. Welsh, Miss
Lena Welsh. Miss May Welsh. Mr.. and Mrs. p.
Edward Mays, Mr.. and Miss Winters, Mr.. aud
Mrs. IL. 1. Benson, Miss Mary Hale, Mr.. aud
Mrs. James Y. Miller, Mr.. g: Ledgelwood and
lady, MIR. aud Mrs. b. Green, MIR. NJ. W. Bel>haw,
Mrs Van No den, Miss Van Norden, Prof. aud
MIS-. Keith, Mr.. and Mrs l.. Kline, Nine. ZiSka,
Miss Alice Zska, Nit. ana Mrs. kOenig, Mr..
Koeng MIR. Nicholas, Mr. Duuing, Mr. and Mrs
CHARLES Hir>chied, Mrs. JOsephus, Miss Jo-
sepnus, Judge aud Mrs. Levy, Mr.. Slas Selleck,
NJ I4n.F AIR nd
Asher, Miss j RadStone Miss L. Rivers. Mr.. A. Z.
Drayef, Hiss Anger, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel ID.
MISS Nellie EvalI, the Misses Mamie G. aud
Lille StebDins, MI. and Mrs. Walter L. Dean, MIR.
Walter Dean, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Vivian. Mr..
and Mrs. ID. h. Bibbs, Mr.. and Mrs. julius Levy.
Miss Meltle, Mr.. and Mrs. ". E. Brown, MIR. aud
Mrs. E. ID. Howard, Miss Goldstone. Mr. Gold
Mrs. w. !. buckingham, ar. and Miss Hayes,
Mr.. A. NJ. Baxter, Mr.. L. E. Lewis, Mr. aud Mrs.
Il. Piper, Mr.. and Mrs. Oliver L. Moore,
Mr.. Jay Rial, Mr.. and Mrs. William 0kane,
MIS-. Parsons Miss Cora Parsons, Miss Kathleen
Heron Mr.. and Mrs. Edward A Cook, Mrs E.
Cooper Miss Josephine Cooper. Mr.. LebOn, Nh.
and MS. Thomas Lane. Mr. and Mrs; L. Simons.
John Jack, Mr. A. j. Englehart Colonel H. /.
Kowalsky, Mr.. w. II. Sherwood, Mr.. and Mrs. J.
Mayne Mr.. and Mrs, Julius Bandman, Miss
Bandulan, Mr. X. u. Stevenson, Nj. and Mrs. j,
r Wallace, Mr.. Waller Wallace. MI l.. Dutton.
Miss l.. Smith. Mr.. and Mrs, George A. Hart,
T. l..
MIS-. Frank snow. MI. and Mrs. Ii. Il. Dunn, the
Misses Dunn, Mr.. George L. Cas-, Nj. Frank
Cass, MIR. William L. SIJufe, MIR. and Mis-. b.
Z. Thompson, MIR. and Mrs. John Bohn, A'r. and
Mrs. Joseph Cunningham, Miss NJ Cunningham,
Miss Julie Reed, Mr.. John j. Reed, Miss Edith
Baker AIR and Mrs Walter Mcguire, Mr. aud
Mrs. ID. Cary, Miss Sophie Cary, MI. and Mrs.
VILLAIN L. BoswcK, Miss Masy Boswlck, Ed
waId Crane, Mi; and Mrs. Henry Harvey, Mr.,
Frank Harvey, Mr.. and Mrs. George q. BOland,
Mi. and Mrs. L. l. Lake, Miss NJ. Lake, Mt. and
Mrs. John W: Harrison, Miss Florence Har-
rsOn, Miss julia jackson, Thomas Gale,
Miss Eta Boyle, Miss Lucy Boyle.
Box l was occupied by Mr.. and Mrs. CHARLES
Coleman aud Miss Cohu. Box by Mrs. Ravens.
mother OF the author OF the play "JOsebhine,"
with a party OF friends. Box by Mrs. L. j.
Baldwin, Miss Anita Baldwin. Miss Laura
Baldwin aud the Misses Lampe. Box by
Colonel ana Mrs Burton and Mrs. Bowler.
WILSON BARRETT.
The sale of seals and boxes for the first week
of MI Wilson Barretts engagement at the
Baldwin Theater will commence on Thursday
morning. Orders for seats have already begun
to pour IN through the mails, aud the indications
are thai Mr.. Barrett VIII have a reception here
ON Monday night as enthusiastic as II Is sincere.
SO much OF a favorable nature, both as an actor
aud man, has Deen heard and read here
that lie Will fad very nospitable welcome
awaiting hun III San francisco. His greatest
artistic success at the Princess Iheater
"ClaudIan," will be the bill for the opening week
except at the first Especial night" performance.
when Mr.. BIrretrs arrangement OF a." Hamlet"
VIII be given IL Is the intention to MAKE
every week during wilson Barretrs engagement.
Mr.. Cranes senator"
The Bush-street Theater had an attendance OF
the elite and intelligence of our community last
evening that filled the auditorium to It's utmost
capacity. We are sorry, though. the young, the
Deauti III and the Intelligent that made up the
audience were so taIdy in assembling II was
nearly S:35 O'clock before the curtain rose ON
" The Senator" and complaints as 10 the
length Of the performance are therefore mis-
placed. IL those who wish TO see Mr.. w. I'll.
Crane aud his mrlltorious company In this origi-
nal and Characteristic play will take their seats
al O'clock, the time advertised, they can be
released IL fifteen minutes To IL, and not at half
past that hour, was The last evening.
Thls delay In theatrical assemblages Is a grow
ing evil, aud the managers and public must come
TO an understanding, whereby mutual accommo-
datlon may he Insured.
THE SENATOR"
Went with good deal OF veTve, Notwithstanding
the delay in raising the curtain. 1t pTeseule ed TO
the audience some new phases Of national Iegis-
latlOn; that ls not new 10 communities east OF
the mountains, who are nearer to the sacred soil
us people Of The extreme West VINO are foolish
enough 10 believe mat tile business OF a Senator
and Representative is to legisiale for
The people at large, or at least for
the district represented, instead OF for
The interests OF private individuals. Mr.. David
ID. Lloyd, who wrote this play, was Tribune
correspondent In Washington for many years.
and Therefore was competent 10 give d true In
ward view Of matters aud things in the Federal
capital. He mas, no doubt done this In % rhe
Senator" aud from the STANDPOINT the author
has taken, in pointing out the Efforts made by
Senator Hannibal Rivers (Mr. w. Ii. Crane(-el-
forts melted by sentimental causes mainiy-to
push the General Armtrong claim" have
most amusing comedy aud one that ought TO
stand a draw for month.
THE PERFORMANCE.
Mr.. Crane, who susIains the leading character,
has improved in his methods as IA comedian.
One could see, however, that he was somewhat
iusIered last evening. owing TO a comparatively
new audience and the novelty OF the situation
Tie trouble with him Is that his manner lacks
contrast He Is all "go," aud the incessant
rattle becomes u little wearsome. He has sur
rounded himself with very good company, aud
IN nearly every individual portrait Is given of
legislative people who were known to the Wash
ington public, and great deal OF interest
was on this account cenered In the
comedy when 1t was produced In the national
capital. Lieutenant George Schuyler, u. S. A. |
(Mr I. ID. Frawley), Is one OF those pictures