Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-30
AMUSE EMENTS.

performance of the Middleman, at the
opera house, the greater is the impress
sion of his artistic worth. In combined
power and completeness of detail work,
no greater actor has ever been seen in
this city. He sights nothing. His at
tention is given as completely to the
more insignificant portions of his work,
as to the strongest situation.
Space will not permit of detailed
mention of his excellent company,
though each and every member deserves
a word OF personal mention.
The opera house has been beautified
until now it is elegantly ornate. The
innumerable electric lights, soft carpets,
rich hangings, inlaid floors and pleasing
coloring form harmonious, rich whole.
The managers, Messrs. McLain and
Lehman, have as handsome theater
as can be found anywhere. Women
patrons of the place will find a deft-
fingered maid in attendance to look
after wraps, supply needed pins, and
who will attend to every want.
x*x
The announcement OF E. S. Wizards
appearance in Judah at the Grand
opera-house tonight, recalls to his man.
ager unique occasion in dramatic his
tory that occurred during the summer
OF last year. At that time, as the story
was told to the HERALD man, MIR. Will
lard was lessee and manager of the
| Shaltesbury theater in London, and
was in the height OF his success in
| Judah, about which play there had
been considerable controversy. Judah
Llewellyn, the hero. young Welch
minister, was made to take false oath
under peculiar and, az some maintained,
iustifiable circumstances, and so much
was written and said ON the subject
that it occurred to Mr.. Willard to in
vite ministers of every denomination to
witness a private performance, in the
afternoon, OF Mr.. Jones' much discussed
play. The afternoon arrived, and with
it some seven hundred clergymen at the
Shaftesbury theater, including many
bishops and other leading dignitaries.
| They presented an incongruous appear
ance in their CATERS and broad brimmed
hats and sable attire, as they
alighted from their carriages or cabs,
or perchance arrived ON foot and
streamed into the vestibule, quite eager
and aler5. There were some who had
never set foot inside of a theater, but
who had taken advantage Of the occa-
sion as proof against scandal. On the
other hand, there were many other
playgoers among the throng. who were
glad OF the opportunity of witnessing
the play once more. Behind the scenes
keen interest was felt by Mr.. Willard
and his associates as to how such All au-
dience, which filled the circles, stalls
and boxes, would receive, not only the
great situation of the play, but also the
various points which under ordinary
circumstances provoked laughter or ap-
plause.
AS matter of fact, never was Judah
PLAYED to better audience in London.
Every point told. Hearty and frequent
was the applause, and when the trying
moment came-the end of the second
act-where the young minister tells
three deliberate falsehoods to shield the
fair fame of the woman he loves, there
was moment Of hushed and breathless
silence, followed by a spontaneous burst
of applause that spoke for itself. The
last act, dealing with Judah's repentance
and confession, brought new calls and
congratulations. Mr.. Willard was sum-
moned alone before the curtain. Con-
trary to the existing order of things, the
! ldvIldH duuICbSCu tiiC CiCist, anu ditOi
an expression of his pleasure at the
manner in which the play had been re-
ceived, he made a graceful allusion to
the relative positions of church and
stage. 1t is an interesting fact as show
ing the alteration of the intolerant atti-
tude once adopted by all clercs toward
dramatic art that out of all the replies
received from those invited by Mr. Will
lard, only eight were condemnatory OF
the theater as an institution.
XIV
Last evening the members and friends
cf the Y. M. G. A. were again highly
entertained by parlor lecture by Rev.
w. j. Thompson of Harbor Grace, New
foundland, entitled "Sprigs From Scot
tish Heather, or an Hour With the
Scotch" In the choicest language he
pictured Scottish characteristics in their
national, religious and domestic life.
The lecture abounded in amusing anec-
dotes illustrative of his subject, ard
throughout the whole continuous
sparkle of humor prevailed.
| On New Years reception will be held
at the association in the afternoon, and
in the evening Mr.. Modin-Wood will
| give concert in the association course.
Regained Her Voice.
Nellie Mcdonald, of Quincy, ILL.,, writes: