The herald., 1893-07-23


Treasure Trovs, q new drama which
has been written by Mary A. White,
who is q Southern Californian and . res-
ident Of this city, was read in the pres.
ence OF several notable theatrical men
and excited great appreciation and COM
ment last Wednesday night.
This drama is founded on the labor
troubles of the day, and is written
partly in Los Angeles and partly in San
Diego. It will soon be presented to the
public for the first time in frst-class
San Francisco theater.
It is q new drama, replete with thrill.
ling interest and dramatic effect, and
was read by the author to q select
coterie of critics and friends in the par
lors of Mrs. Ursula M. Poalis last
Wednesday evening. It was an enjoy
able occasion, thoroughly appreciated
by all present, among whom were some
OF our best dramatic talent. The central
figure of this circle, next to the author
of the play, was that OF Mr.. M.
Lehman, the popular manager of
the Grand opera house Of this city.
Mr.. Lehman was there by special invi.
tation, not for the purpose of admiring
so much, as for pointing out defects, the
stern rigidity of his countenance indi-
Gated fixed purpose to be true to this
mission. After time, however, oflcose
and solem attention, his facial rigidity
relaxed into smiles, and the stern critic
was lost in the man of sympathetic
mind.
Even the intimate friends OF the
author, who had long been familiar with
her terse and vigorous style, were pleas
sntly surprised at the bright and real
istic pen-portraits OF her play, where
the lights and shadows of real life ap-
pear in clearly defined scenes and orig
inal characters.
is the vexing labor question:" showing
the extremes OF wealth and poverty,
with their underlying causes. 1t is set in
an excellent original plot. There is
nothing heavy or didactic in dealing
with this trou blesome subject-nothing
which could be left out without marring
the perfect delineation of scene and
character designed by the author.
The dramatic situations relative to
the labor question, are drawn from
known facts in history, and not imagin-
ary grievances. The author hints at no
wild or revolutionary theories. His i'm
piled remedies lie in the practical appli-
cation OF equity.
The character of Deliver, the man
whose wrongs had forced him into the
role of an agitator, is . grand deliniation
OF one of natures noble men one who
can rise above mere personal considera-
tions in the cause of right. He becomes
q hero in the third act, when he stands
between an excited mob of outraged
workmen and protects the man who had
robbed both himself and them from the
violent outburst of their just indigna-
tion.
The plot results from stolen child,
an heirees, and casket of valuable
jewelry, recovered by the father of the
child disguised as French count after
she arrived at lovely womanhood. The
parlor scene where the disguised count
is received with fawning sycophancy by
the millionaire villain, is full of interest
and funny contretemps.
The love scenes are we'll drawn. So
are the funny scenes, where Kit who is
designed for the heiress, endeavors to
hide his love for Susie from the prying
eyes OF his mother. The mixture of wit
and pathos, sentiment and strategem,
continues to the very last scene, making
serio-comic tragedy of high order,
and true to life in every particular.
There is no doubt but this drama, If
properly staged, will meet with marked
success and reflect great credit on the
Golden stair, in which it was evolved.
Its first appearance will doubtless be in
San Francisco, but will be soon after
wards reproduced in this city and San
Diego, the home of its author.
x*x
Tomorrow evening at the Grand opera
house the Hesperian Dramatic club,
which is com posed of some of the best
local talent, will for their first presenta-
ton produce the four-act emotional
comedy, entitled Hazel Kirke. The club
has been rehearsing daily and have
spared no expense in making this per-
fyrmsnce fully equal to any professional
one. 10 defray expenses the small
charge of 25 cents ia made for reserved
seat (others being free), which are nov
on sale at the box office, no invitation
being necessary for the purchase of
same, as the club ia desirous for its in
troductory performance to have a full
house.
x*x
Mr.. G. W. Whitfield announces that
he will open Music hall, formerly Turner
hall, as a theater on Monday evening,
the 31st inst. The first play given will
be the Octoroon.