Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-13

no actress I have ever seen
who would not seem small by compari-
son with this wonderful Frenchwoman.
Her round of characters is remarkable.
Saturday night it was Fedora; Sunday
night, La Tosca Monday and Tuesday
nights and Wednesday afternoon,
Theodore: Wednesday night, Frou-
Frou; last night, Camille; this after
noon it is to be Jeanne dare, and to-
night, Pauline Blanchard, the two Sat-
urday performances to be repetitions.
Fedora and La Tosca have been played
here by Fanny Davenport. lido not in
tend to institute any comparisons; it
would be invidious. Fanny Davenport
is fine actress, but there is only one
Bernhardt. Theodore was played in
America and England by Lillian Olcott,
but not with success. Frou-Frou has
been made familiar by Modjeska, and
Camille by Clara Morris. Pauline
Blanchard has been produced previous
ly only in Australia.
So
The art of Sarah Bernhardt is marvel
lous; so perfect is it that it conceals
itself and seems nature. Even though
one be unfamiliar with the French
language, he forgets that he is listening
to words spoken in strange tongue, he
sees only the woman, her sorrows, her
struggles, her agonies, her triumphs.
One of the greatest surprises about
Bernhardt is the repose-and yet that
is scarcely the word-o OF her methods.
She is never obliged to resort to
doing anything for effect, her art is too
deep and true for that. Whatever her
surroundings may be, she belittles all
by force of contrast. She realizes every
thing. When on the stage she is not
Sarah Bernhardt to her audience, she is
the Princess Fedora, Floria Tosca, the
Empress The 1dora, or whatever other
character she may be presenting. This
power which she wields is impossible to
describe, but its influence enthralls all
who come under it. She is the very
essence and embodiment of perfection
in dramatic art.
x**
Joseph Grismer and Phoebe Davies
have been giving Beacon Lights at the
Bush-street this week. / think the
play is familiar to Los Angelehos. 1t is
o strong melodrama with bright lines
and telling situations, and it affords
Phoebe Davies some splendid opportuni-
ties. As the gay, light hearted little
southern girl she Is delicious, and more
than that she does some very fine work.
Mr.. Grismer also has congenial role
as young army officer, in love, OF
course, with the little southern girl.
Business this week has not been what
it should have been and what the Girls
mers deserve, but there are too many
attractions in town just now, ard with
the Bernhardt performances getting the
lions share of the patronage.
x*x
They are playing Harry Meredith's
border drama, Ranch 10, at the Alca-
zar. Nearly every one has seen it be-
fore, but it is filling the house every
night: L. R. Stockwell plays a Chey-
enne Justice, and gets a great deal out
of the part. Stockwell is always good,
but occasionally he favors us with some
especially artistic work, and this is one
OF those occasions. His judge is strong
piece of character drawing. William
Beach personates two twin brothers,
and does strong and virile work. Nick
Long does some fine character acting as
sort of greaser half-breed, villain
Gus rascal. Leo Cooper is good as
sturdy frontiersman. The performance
is excellent throughout. On Monday
the regular dramatic season begins at
this theater with the production OF an
English melodrama which has been
very successful, The English Rose.
x*x
Nat Goodwin is drawing full houses
right along at the Baldwin with The
Nominee. People go to see the piece
and people go tu see Goodwin. Both
are funny. Goodwin is natural COM
edian. He is never heavy, but always
airy and effervescent. And clever-well,
to borrow a phrase from the old fairy
story teller, he is clever as the day is
long. Next week he gives his success
of the last two seasons, The Gold Mine.
You will have chance to see and
laugh at him in both pieces in Los An
geles. but instead of Barbara as cur
tain raiser to The Nominee, he will give
Art and Nature, by Richard Yardley.
1t is an adaptation from a French piece;
Nance Oldfeld, an English success. hav-
ing been taken from the same source.
Xxx
A Parlor Match is still warming the
hearts and Illuminating the lives of the
patrons of the California, who so in
crowds to see McCorker and Old Hoss
and Innocent Kid.
Fatinitza is being presented very sue
cessfully at the Tivoli.
The offerings at the San Francisco
theaters for the week beginning Septem-
Der 14th, are as follows: Baldwin, Nat
G. Goodwin, in A Gold Mine; California,
The Hustler; Bush-Street, The Corner
Grocery, Alcazar, The English Rose (;
Tivoli, The Black Crook.
Mr.. Jno. E. Warner, good fellow and
brilliant manager, will prepare the
way for Nat G. Goodwin, in Los Angels.
Nothing like it for dyspepsia and Indigestion.
| Simmons Liver Regulator is a safe, sure cure.