The herald., 1893-10-22
Announcements.

The prime novelty among the numer
GUS sensational productions at the Lo
Angeles theater which will be givei
during the week will be the Englisf
melodrama entitled The Span of Life, {
product OF the Imagination of play
wright named Sutton Vale.
The author has not figured as sue
cessful dramatist in this country, The
Span of Life being his first play to be
presented outside of his native country.
The story is said to be intensely En-
glsh, the characters altogether racy OF
the soil and sufficiently varied to give
interest to the play. 1t is constructed
on English melodramatic lines. The
author wisely retains his principal
Gene until the fourth act, reserving the
fifth act for the inevitable righting of
al the wrongs that have characterized
The preceding acts. This strong prin-
cipal ecene which takes place in the
iourth act is said to be the single pre-.
aominating feature which made The
span of Life so potent magnet for the
heater-going public, who admire SEN
eational and improbable melodramas,
/ transpires during the action of the
ay that not only the heroine but also
ar infant daughter are pursued by
a william and his willing tools.
sAa is accompanied by three brothers
81 faithful nurse, who are retired aero
0ats. The scene is in the wild of Africa,
I'D they come upon chasm which can
a bridged in no possible way in lime to
permit of the escape of the fleeing vic
tims. In this dilemma the acrobate
make good use OF their former avoca-
tion, and piling themselves one above
the other, after the fashion of those who
do the 'brother act" in circuses and
vaudeville entertainments, they fall and
construct human span, over which the
heroine, with baby in arms, walks se-
curely to the safe side of the chasm.
Those who have seen the escape of
Eliza in Uncle Toms Cabin across the
river on blocks of ice can readily under
stand how thrilling is the escape of the
heroine of The Span OF Life.
The adaptation of this sensation for
dramatic purposes was seized upon by
Mr.. Vane, and eastern writers do him
the credit to say that he has constructed
remarkably well told dramatic story.
~.
A brilliant programme is being ar
ranged for the society amateur opera
club, which will be given at the Grand
opera house next month.
Nine. Fabri-Muller reports that the
large subscription list of the club is
nearly full for this season. Quite a
number of society ladies will take part
in THE opening concert.
Among the notable features will be
the first appearance in Los Angeles
musical circles of Mr.. Jackill, q young
English tenor, who is said to possess q
marvelouG voice. Mrs. Regear Of Gotten,
who ia soprano with a wonderfully high
voice, will sing the grand aria from the
Magic Flute, as written in the original
key--certainly great undertaking from
an artistic standpoint. Mrs. j. w.
Mitchell will sing q number OF Scotch
ballads in her customary char ming man
ner, and Miss Jacoby, who possesses a
beautiful soprano, will give several ia
vorite musical morceaus. In addition,
Jacob Muller, the great baritone, will |
sing, and among the instrumental feat |
ures will be solos by Profs. Beirlich and |
Willhsrtitz. While the programme will |
be made up in general of classical selec-
lions, the encores will be chosen from
familiar ballads OF different lands.
##x
The Unity club desires the HERALD to
announce to it's many members that ar
have been made with Prof.
Charles Mills Gayley, of the University
If California, to give course of univer-
,ity extension lectures during the latter
part of the year. Prof. Gayley is one of
.he most progressive members of the
aculty of the state university, and
nan of pleasing and attractive manner
IN the platform. The chair of Shakes.
oere and English literature in the
Berkeley institute has never been filed
1y one of the pronounced ability in
his department as Prof. Gayley pos
esses, and the course to be given will,
10 doubt, be treat for the lovers OF
literature. Prof. Gayley's course will be
IN English comedy from SHAKESPEARE to
sheridan. The Unity club deserves to
% CONGRATULATED on securing the ser
Iics of this distinguished gentleman.
Music and Drama Notes.