The herald., 1894-11-13
AMUSE. N I S.

BENsoN's GRAND OPERA HoUsE.-Mr.
Theo kremer. supported by the regular
stock company, opened here last night
in his play The Nihilist. 1t is a strong,
clean play with many stirring situations
and clever lines; the business. too, is
exceptionally good and novel, diminu.
tive cat being used ell through with
telling effect; while in the first act the
mad efforts of the two student friends to
get tobacco boxes, empty bottles and
other evidence OF bachelor Joy out of
sight before the aged countess, who has
been announced. shall appear, brought
down the house Mr. Kremer has
shown ne can write a play that has very
many strong points to recommend it,
and as an actor he displayed more than
ordinary ability. In the part of the
young Count Alexis his Joy and light
heartedness in the fret TWO acts were
infectious, his agony in the st. Peters,
burg prison " here father and friend turn
against him for his seeming guilt, was
very real and spontaneous, and his mad
scene in the last act a fine piece OF work.
AS Ivan Arkof, Mr.. Smith was vii
lain of the deepest dye. that the gallery
disapproved OF by the usual signs. While
Nicholas, the faithful servant, in the
hands of Mr.. Dan Kelly. received the
most marked approval from not only
the gallery but the rest of the audience.
Mr.. Brewer made very much better
Count Alexis than anything he has
done. AS Abraham, the Jew, Maurice
Stewart did good little bit of character
work. Miss Wheeler was consistent on
the cat question, and played the aged
countess acceptably. Miss Lieb and
Miss Gray as Wanda and Olga. respect
lively, did their usual conscientious
work.
The scenery all through was appro-
pirate and the Miserers song OF nuns
and monks in the third act, with the
lighted church in the distance and the
prison yard fer q foreground, was very
realistic.
The Nihiist runs all the week, with a
matinee on Saturday. L. NC.
So
BURBANK THEATER.--The initial per.
formance last evening of the romantic
tragedy, The Count di Rimini. served to
entirely fill the auditorium of this pop.
ular house. While the play is some-
what somber in general tone. it is re-
lieved by comedy element that, while
interesting in itself, serves to accentuate
the tragic element and bring into strong
relief the main points in the play.
Mr.. Darrell Vlnton played the star
role of Lanciotto. the Hunch back, with
considerable power, and shared with
Francesca, played by Dorothy Rose
more, the honors Of the evening. The
latter did herself some injustice in the
first and eecond acts, particularly in the
betrothRl scene, when certain hard
ness of manner prevented the eympa-
thetio interest that WAS the first due of
the sympathetic maiden. This trifling
drewback was fully compensated for,
however, in the latter part of the play,
when the varying emotions were very
cleverly depicted. The part of Guido,
the father OF Francesca. was given
proper prominence by P. j. Dnggan.
who made the old schemer appear ali
that the responsibilities of the impor-
tant part required. Minnie Conway. as
Characterization, without being unduly
funny. Her very creditable by.play
when with Francisco and Guido earned
well merited appliance.
The general support was quite up to
at this house, and as the interest of Tho
Count di Rimini is we'll sustained from
the rise to the fall OF the curtain, there
ia every probability OF we'll filled houses
during the remainder OF the week.
+~x
THE MPERIAL.-A very attractive bill
is presented for the week. Last night,
on the first appearance OF most of the
artists, large audience WAS present,
and judging from the applause, enjoyed
the new features greatly.
The one weak part WAS the attempt at
black art and scientific illusion by Fat.
ina. This act was hardly up to date.
Burke Brothers are simply immense.
The fun these two create is go furious
that the house is fairly shaken by the
outbursts.
The Sisters Aiene do charming
specially, and Siivern and Emeric are
greatly appreciated.
Arhno in his wonderful balancing
feats produces one of the best features
of the bill.
All the rest are good, and as q whole
the show is well up to the standard
which the management has set for this
popular place OF amusement.
x*x
The sale OF seats commences this
morning at the Los Angeles theater for
Col. J. II. Haverly's Maetodon Minstrel
company's engagement. Enthusiaem is
always created among the minstrel
patrons of this city at the sight of that
name. Hagerly. the synonym of min
strelsy management, Among the list
of principal performers are: Burt SheD
ard, Harry Dudworth. Ali Gibson. Billy
Lyons, E. NJ kayns, Harry Ccns.e2o
tiae and 80 others.