The herald., 1894-12-23


septed last night was a fitting climax to
his Shakespesrean impersonations in
this city. The sublime hypocrisy and
uncomfortable ambition of the crooked
tyrant were portrayed with the power OF
genius. Richard wes. indeed, himsslf-
tortuous in plotting, false in protesta-
tion, eubts in sophistry, tenacious oi
purpose ard memorable for the ac-
compiahment of his wicked designs.
Keene's conception OF the character is
his own; his manner and HE method are
original. and will stand as model
when younger actors coms to interpret
this maeter creation OF master
mind. Especially commendable is
h is rendition OF the eardonic side OF
Richards character-the quality that
90 engrossed the thought of Shakespeare
when he moulded this combination OF
the worst that goes TO the composition oil
an ambitious soul. The success OF Ksene
is in itself study, and his laugh is more
eloquent of the cruel vices gnswinR like
maggots at the conscience of the murder
haunted Gloster, than uttered words.
The support was good but it served
only ae foil to Keene's splendid inn
personation. Not until be returns again
to play and win and die will a Los An
seles sudiencs see such another Richard
as they looked upon last night.
+*x
Mr.. Thomas Keene's engagement here
WAS not as much OF financial success
as it should have been. but otherwise 1t
was delightful. Shakespeare does not,
with Mr.. Keene's skill. spell bankruptcy
as the theatrical proverb holds is true
with most stars, neither does Il spell
wealth but the season has been "a
charming one to people W hS like to have
drama that appeals TO their minds.
.#s
Now ss for theatricals that are not
strain on ones mental faculties Aladdin is
to be commended. A deal OF moraizing
might be done about the tremendous
patronage given to thia spectacle OF the
female form. and the lesser attendance
at Ham let and Othello, but what's the
use? As The New Boy says what's
the use of anything? Nothing But
Aladdin was all right; in its way most
char ming affair, and Manager Hender-
con, when he arrived in San Francisco,
in talking to an EXAMINER reporter,
epoke as follows OF his season here:
1--WE have had a most prosperous
ssason thus far on the road" eaid Man.
ager David Henderson later at the Bald
win hotel. Our business at St. Louis
and Denver was simply enormous and
last week we broke all records in Los
Angeles. The largest weeks receipts
ever played to in Los Angeles previous
to our coming was by the BostoBians.
We broke their record by over $1,000,
and they charged So. while | stuck to
the regular prices. They never h ad an
entertainment like the one given by my
company in Los Angeles, and they did
not know what to make OF 1t. They
were little in doubt whether the per-
formance was respectable at frat. but
after the first night they went crazy
over Aladdin Jr. The business Kept up
to the high water mark throughout the
entire week, and l am altogether we'll
pleased at the reeult of nv first visit to
Los Angeles. l shall play there one
week every season hereafter; but l wish
they had larger theater down there"
49,
Manager Walters OF the San Francisco
Orpheum, is 10 have a try At the opera
house management. and promises an
excellent entertainment. Mr.. Fitzger-
aid Murphy is to be on the staff as press
agent and Mr.. Leonce Grothwell has
been appointed assistant director and
treasurer.