The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-16

Taking a general view of the theatrical
field in this city there is nothing that strikes
the eve as remarkable in the business of the
week, excepting it be the extraordinary sue
cess NJ. A. Palmers company have me-
with in Augustus Thomas American play,
Alabama" Two causes combine to pro-
duce this result-frst, happy dramatic con-
struction, and, second, ludicious selection
Of players competent TO realize the authors
ideas. If we take the opinion of those IA
miliar with this playwright, and who have
gagged his literary capacity, he seems TO
have builded better than he knew, or painted
in moro attractive colors than he thought
were at his command when he produced
this picture of Southern life. 1t is a new
departure, and the public, perhaps, are dis
posed 10 accept it as grateful rest from the
rant, roar and clangor that are features in
many plays of the modern American school.
For the greater part Alabama" is CONVEX
sational merely, and even the boy EDITORS
passion and the earnest expressions OF Col
onel Preston'S unpatriOtlc and sectional ha-
tired scarcely make a ripple on the serene
surface Of the gentle flow OF incident
TIE PLAYERS.
1t speaks we'll for the rapidly developing
intellectually of the American player-the
second cause oil " Alabama's" popularity
to fiud how largely this higher mental
fHcuity has been brought to bear in inter-
preting, in their finest details, the pretty
thoughts that abound in this play, and
which are followed. in their successive de-
VelOpment, by the auditors with GREATNESS
attention. One cannot help feeling that the
words. the expressions, every liue of the
text ia Alabama 90 swiftly home TO
the heart as we'll as to the understanding of
the vast audience, although 1t may repre-
sent in lis Individual members, nearly every
civilized race, OF people under the sun. Thus
they are all made kin by the cunning nat
ural touches Of the PLAYWRIGHT The effect,
too IS heightened by the pictorial beauty Of
the different scenes Everything combines
to iuI the senses into repose, and induces
ore 10 forget or forgive faults, out of graft
tude for the pleasure derived.
tThe Nominee"
Tie star Of the American playwright Is
evidently in the aseendent at present. We
ale now passing judgment on the work of
Augustus Thomas at the Baldwin, and the
next attraction a that theater viii be " The
Nominee" by Leauder Richardson, also an
- rican author. True, Richardson's
work IS only an adaptation; but a clever
adaptor is sometimes as good, if not better,
than an originator; the late Dion BOuCicault
in evidence. Mr.. Richardson has drawn his
successful comedy from the French uf " lie
DepUte de Bombignac," played in the
original by Ccquelin when ne was here two
years ago. The English version viii be
presented by that versatile comedian, Nat
{. Goodwin. lie Depute" has always been
4 great temptation u the noble army OF
wOuld-ba adaptorS, and several have tried
their hands at the piece only to retire with
burned fingers Richardson, however, ap-
peaTs to have drawn the dramatic prize from
tie fire without getting scorched, and MS a
consequence now feels happy in a liberal
royalty. He has Americanlzed the French
work. "Le Depute" from the Gallo side Of
!. the channel and the Candidate" OF the En-
giSh nave become The Nominee" in the
United States. Goodwin and his play made
a decided impression in New YORK City,
The financial success was beyond question,
and the critics wrote of it as the best thing
the versatile comedian had produced. By
the time Mr.. Goodwin opens at the Baldwin
- our public will be in good trim for his dra-
matte omelette souf1ie.
The Dazzler.'
The attraction at the California TheaJer
tomorrow night will be the successful farce
comedy with this title from the pen of
Thomas Addison. This merry skit is re-
corded as one of the greatest theatrical sue
cesses of the last Eastern season and re-
ceived metropolitan Endorsement by highly
profitable engagements at no less than three
of the Broadway theaters in New York.
The critics were unanimous in crediting it
with being the best play Of its kind that
was produced in New York last season.
lis season it will be even more attractive,
as tie managers, Cosgroye q Grant have
secured, at great expense, "Bonny Kate Cas-
tletOn.' to head an excellent company. Miss
Castleston, who is one of the best known
Of the buTlesQue and comedy artists of the
in "a lpT'' will hgvA al
opportunities for the display Of her pecu-
liar talents aud ability and IN singing
ballads in her charming manner One
song made Kate CastlestOn famous. Hun
dTeds of others have attempted it, but
no one ever sang it as she did. Who that
ever heard her sing For Goodness Sake
Don't Say Told You" will ever forget it?
The neat yelling Of the suggestive with the
demuTe, the rogush eyes peeping from be-
meath the Quaker bonnet, and the sweet
voice made 1t a most artistic bit Of ballad
singing. Another clever footlight favorite
. in this organization is Lena Melville, singer
and dancer, whose grace, agility and chic
have made her one of the most popular
tingent is the latest comedian, Joe 0tt,a young
man, but said to be a clever one, and who
has made maine and reputation for him.
self second to none Of the eccentric come
dians of the day. He gains his effects by
quiet methods rather than the bosternUS
style OF the average farce comedian. The
other members of the company are all capa-
bic and comprise the following names: Jes-
sic Hatcher. Helen Mortimer, Maggie Emer-
son, Alma Desmond. Phillis Allen, Eva Les
lie. Max Miller, Sherman Wade, Martin
O'Neil, James +. Mcdonald, Bertram Be
dell. Leo Wright, Harry Chase and w. H.
Way The attraction IS under the direction
Of MIR. George II. Murray.
AN ALABAMA NIGHT.
The months run of RusselPs Comedians
az the New California in THE City Di-
rcctOry up TO Date1' closes this evening
with what the management are pleased 10
call night for the Alabamans; that is,
Messrs. Sweatnam, Schoocraft, Hayerly,
Seaman and Miron will appear in some Of
their excellent negro acts, interudes and
melodies for the dedication of A. NJ. Palm
eps company, and not only for these
AplayeTs, but for the pleasure OF the public
at large. Mullaly has arranged several
melodies and minstrel airs, which will be
sung by the vocal contingent Of the "Di-
Tectory" company. The engagement has
. been a most successful one, and although
the leading members put on black" at its
close 1t is not that they 60 into mourning be-
cause they did not do as well as expected.
Annie Ward Tiffany.
This Irish-comedy actress, who is said tt
be a fayorite in the Eastern States, vii
make her first appearance in this city at the
AlcaZar tomorrow evening in a new play
rftpD eKurasElV for hpr ~ Mr. T. Sha