The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-01
THE THEATRES.
Mr.. Thomas w. Keene Is Well
Received at the Baldwin.
Sullivan Fills the Bush-strset- Change Of
Opera at the Tivoli-No Change at
the California and Alcazar.

The most important event in our local
theatrical world was the appearance at the
Baldwin last evening of Mr.. Thomas w.
Keene as the Cardinal in the familiar play
Richelieu." 1t was the beginning of his
engagement, and Notwithstanding the I'M
favorable state of the weather the audi
forum was filled with fashionable and criti-
cal people. Mr.. Keene was we'll received
on his entrance, and all through the
performance his effort was Endorsed
by hearty demand for the rise of the cur
tain three, four and five times at the close
of each act. We do not find much change
in Mr.. Keene's manner OF interpreting this
famous character since the last time we mad
the pleasure of seeing MIN assume 1t. lie
has his own conception Of the part and in
its execution-faulty as 1t is IN some partic-
ulars-abideS by it. LII many of the pas
sages he reads the text well. in many Of the
situations conveys, by apt and adrolt
acting, the idea of the old statesman
and polite churchman. Mr.. Keenes
chief fault is in substituting vehemence of
utterance for Intensity of manner. Some
times in what may be called crises OF drama
tic interest he becomes slightly lnartculate
in his utterance, and his emotion hurres,
and, IN measure overcomes, speech tnat
ought to be clearly rendered. This is APP
that messenger confesses he has failed to
secure the all-impOrtaDt package from Marion
de Lorme's rendezvous. But he made most
OF his points throughout the progress OF
the play in most credtable manner. His
interviews with Joseph were quiet and neat;
his scenes with his adopted daughter, Julie
de Mortemar, and her chosen lover, Adrian
de Mauprat were filled with a reminiscent
tenderness that was affecting, and the curse
scene was worthy of Edwin Booth. All stage
Richelieus save themselves for this sol
emn circle" business, and we presume Mr.
keene must be included in the number. In
many instances the gentleman has departed
from the traditional business, aud We Ques-
ton if he has improved the effect by doing
so. He sits while he reads that splendid
solilOQuy, France, love thee" concluding
the first act. Edwin Forrest delivered it
standing, in his imposing height, and made
his exit with the utterance OF the last line.
Mr.. keene has good support In the main.
The De Mauprat (Mr. Walter Matthews)
reads well and demeans himself gracefully.
Baradas (Ar Frank Henning) has also a
good conception of the part OF the forked-
tongue traitor. and as Joseph, Mr. Paul
Ahrendt makes His Gray Emnence
conspicuous character in the cast. Miss
Alberta Gallatn plays the interesting and
romantic part of Julie de Mortemar, and
we have no hesitation in saying she plays 1t
very well, indeed. Her action at first in her
girlish love for Adrian is perfect in its man
neT, and when misfortune has ripened and
fixed that attachment, ana all her wOmanly
nature is developed, she dares everything,
the great Cardinal himself, her adopted
father, in maintaining II. This evening MIR.
Keene will appear Qor the only time) in
Louis XI."