Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-04
PLAYS AND PLAYERS.
Especial correspondence to Che HrnA1p.l

1t comes very near to being the most
gorgeous spectacle ever put upon the
stage. The libretto is not quite up to
that of the Crystal Slipper, but in other
respects Sinbad rather surpasses the
first effort of this American extrava-
ganza company. You know it is the
third of the productions of this COM
pany, the home theater of which is the
Chicago opera house. The first was
the Crystal Slipper, which in the mag
nificence of its scenery and costumes
and in the makeup of the company, sur
passed anything in the line OF extraVa-
ganza or spectacle ever put on the road,
and might also add, in the quality of
the libretto.
1t has been the idea of Manager
David Henderson, the idea and the aim
toward which his efforts have been di-
rected, to have each of his annual pro-
auctions go ahead of its predecessor.
In sumptuousness and splendor of eff
fects he has certainly succeeded in his
ambition.
x*x
In the Sfirst place, the company is
composed of exceedingly clever people,
Louise Kissing, who appears in the
title role, is ashapely handsome woman,
with a fine voice. the ability to speak
her lines, and a striking stage presence.
Such q contrast she is to her prototype.
In a score of the spectacles which have
claimed her attention. She is no more
than we have right to expect, but then
one so seldoms finds what he expects,
in spectacles. Ida Mule, who plays the
maid OF BalsOra, is as deliciously petite
49, = H.
ideal fairy tale princess, for one always
thinks Of these charming creatures of
fiction as coming no higher than the
princes heart. Henry Norman, and
old-time Tivoli favorite, is very sue
cessful as Snarleyon, smuggler chief
and deep-dyed villain. He is an excel
lent comedian and good singer. Ed
win Foy is an idle young apprentice, who
blossoms into a cqnnibal king. have
not the slightest idea what he has to
do with the story, but he has a great
deal to do with the entertainment of the
audience. You will remember him as
Yosemite, the ladies' valet, in the Crys.
tai Slipper. He is just as funny as of
yore, and OF yore he was one of the fun
NEST eccentric comedians going.
Spencer Gracy plays count with an in
ordinate propensity for cigarettes, who
puts himself up at rattle in the first
act and is won by am old maid. He
spends the remainder of the evening in
an endeavor to escape her. Arthur
Dunn, a diminutive comedian, is the
Old Man of the Sea. He wears beard
which sweeps the floor, and makes the
hit of the piece. Fanny Beane plays
the old lady who chases the count very
cleverly. Annie Darce, Babette Rodney
and TOpsy Veun, whose attractive per-
sonalities helped the Slipper to success,
have considerable to do with carrying
Sinbad to the same result. Dan Hart,
who used to be the Captain Kid of A
Parlor Match, and longed to sail the seas
in 'long, low, rakish craft" has his
desire gratifed. There are a lot more
clever people in the company, but the
mention OF these will suffice.
**x
In the matter of the ballet, in quality
il is as good as l have seen, perfectly
trained, and in size we'll [ do not
know the exact numerical strength, but
what with ballet, coryuhees and others,
the stage of the Baldwin, which is
large one, is crowded to Overlooking
when anywhere near all of them are
on. And they are not extra people,
hired for this occasion only, but are ali
thoroughly trained regulars who APP
peared night after night in the produc-
ton in Chicago.
The scenery is very beautiful and
there is great deal of it. There is q
set representing the depths of the
ocean which Is exquisite. The action of
the second act takes place on the deck
OF the smuggler's vessel, the Roc. Con-
epirators scuttle the ship. Then the
ia dorEonnA o,1 har l. |.
ocean, with The Roc tossing on it's sur
face as it slowly sinks from sight. Then
is shown the bed OF the ocean, the
wreck lying on its side and submarine
plants growing over it. 1t is one of the
most beautiful settings l ever saw.
Then there is the transformation scene,
without doubt the richest ever put on
the spectacular stage in this country.
x*x
At the Bush street on Monday night
was gathered together one of the swell
est audiences ever in a San Francisco
theater. The attraction was Incog.
The author Of the play, Mrs. Romualdo
Pacheco, is one OF the leaders of the local
four hundred, and she was there with
the other three hundred and ninety
nine. The play and the star, Charlie
Dickson, made an instantaneous hit,
anu lave pihy0u 10 Iull houses right
along. There is no occasion for my
saying more about the production. as
you have already seen it in Los Angeles.
For the same reason will say nothing
of the Midnight Bell, beyond mention
ing the fact that it is playing to good
houses and successfully amusing people.
wv
The Alcazar company has outdone it.
self in the production of Jim the PEN
man. 1t was an exceedingly ambitious
thing for them to attempt, but they
have acquitted themselves more than
creditably. William Beach gives
strong performance OF James Ralston,
the penman, especially in the death
scene. Ethel Brandon as Mrs. Ralston
does the best work have ever seen her
90. Frederick Bryton does well as Cap
tain Redwood. Leo Cooper has made
hit as Baron Hartfeld. Edward Hol-
land is the Louis Percival, and Frank
r. Mills looks very handsome and
acts intelligently as Lord Drelincourt.
George Hermance playsa character part
very cleverly OF course one does not
expect stock company like this, with
only week for rehearsals, to give such
performance of the play as was given
by the Palmer company, and if one
nvros1c invid;oi1a cOmnariaoue in his