The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-01
AT THE THEATERS.
Shakespeare Takes a Drop
at the Baldwin.
Sensational Bill at the Stockwe!l.
TivoIi Presents Genevieve de
Brabant'-Morosco's Grand.

t"-Morosco' Grand.
"Much Ado About Nothing" cannot be largely
in the line of Shakespearean leading by our
local students, otherwise there would have been
a more numerous attendance at the Baldwin
last evening to see Modjeska enact the charm
ing Beatriec-time out of mind considered a
test of good acting. The Polish actress with
her WV cous manner did great measure OF JUS
tice to this admirable creation OF the poet-thls
bitter-sweet creation of womanhood; the en-
action would have been perfect had the same
action been Joined 10 an English tongue. With
all her nervy qulps and jokes. the pleasant
teasing of her cousin, the bambOoZling OF Bene-
dick. Beatrice has the heart and courage OF
man. Witness the vinOictive sentiment she
utters in regard 10 the traducer OF her cousin
Hero, 40 God, that were a mani would eat
his heart in the maI ketplace." Modjeska made
most effective uUterance of this line The
friendly conspiracy on The part OF her female
companions, and also by Benedck's associates
10 bring Beatrice and himself o know The true
condition of the feeling each had for The other,
was carried out in most amusing manner.
Mr. OTIS Skinner embraced the role OF Bene-
dick well. and played the undecided bachelor
with a racy ease and freedom In fact The cast
generally gave us Shakespearean production
Dogberry was confided TO Mr.. Il. Peyton Carter,
who bore himself with a Malvoio dignity
mOIe like steward than constable. True.
he read the part well. Nj. carter mas slngu-
larly clear, Iicn and musical voice, and be man-
aged 10 make Dosberry's blunderS IN speech
so apparent TO his auditors that the laugh came
at once. Some hearers are III doubt from the
manner in which the lines are occasionally
read whether the consequential blockhead OF
d constable is right or wrong in his utteraDces.
Charles w. Morris, as BaithaZar, sang eXquls-
itey The Old-Iashioned song that occurs Ill his
part:
Sigh no more. ladies, sigh no more.
Men were deceivers ever. etc.
Tonight Modjeska win appear as Rosamund
IN " As You Like It."
The marVeIously graceful Jordan family in
conjunction with the muscular SaDdow drew
largely TO the Stockwell. Besides the two
prime attractions there were the Hardelas,
grotesque athletes;; August Dewell, a GYM
nastic expert; the Swedish ladies' quartet;
VanderliD and Elsie Adair in 1.-THE Modern
School OF Acting" ana the kaleidoscope crea-
zion, La Belle Helene" a very attractive bill
it proved. In regard 10 the Jordan family the
performance was IN great degree the old
Hanlon Zampil9rostatiOn act over again-only
HE individuals concerned in this instance being
lighter and more flexible. More apparent lIbeI-
ties were taken With the laws of grayitatiOu by
The TWO on the flying tTapeZe. There is some
question bout The smaller girl in This aerial
exercise being entitled TO appear on ac-
count of her tender years. MessTs. Sontag
and McComb of the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Children were present TO inquire
into the matter and will probably give their YER
diet to-day. While she looks like mite dressed
IL tights, the little one Is ready 10 KISS the book
that she is J 6 years of age and looks 1t when
dressed for the street. Their trapeZe act is
beautiful performance, though the apparent
risk connected with II may affect nervous Deo-
pie. SandOw'S share OF the programme was
series OF poses under strong light. showing
the muscles OF his torso arms and legs. he
claims o be physically perfect; but from the
abnormal amount of muscle shOwn-H muscle
be the criterion of perfecii0n-thiS athlete OF
the century must in The physical sense be plu-
perfect. He showed complete command over
his muscles by moving them al will and their
strength by lifting d dead weight OF nearly
5000 pounds.
"Dors" was continued al the New California
tie evening being devoted TO the benefit OF relg
ious charitable society. Every seat had an occn-
pant. and a handsome amount of money must
have accrued TO The benefciaries. "Doris,'
with MISS Ellsler in the lead has won great
favor with the patrons OF this thealer. On
Thursday evening next, by special request,
Miss EflSler VIII appear IN the title role OF
Hazel klrke"-a play with which her early
success on the stage IL associated In the minds
OF the public. She created the part, and IL mas
been alive In her hands ever since. No other
actress has taken the honor from her. c. w.
Couldrock, also original In the part OF Dunstan
Kirke. VIII assume tnat character for more than
the ten thOusandth time, and doubtless the
memory and the fame of this Madison-square
composition Will succeed in filling the house.
TIE first night of "Geneviefe de Brabanin at
the Tivoli crowded the auditorium. Unfor-
tunately. Miss Oracle Plasted, who was cast
for the part Of DrOgan, was too i'll to assume
it, and she was replaced by Miss Alice Nielsen
who sang the role with great acceptance. The
for her during The stay she made in Australia
she was much disappointed in not giving ii the
first airing in this locality. The opera gener-
ally was well sustained, but VIII be in much
better case tonight. MIR. Fred ROyden in Van
derprint, Mayor of Curacao, was ii new face
on the Tiyol boards. He has been running In
a light Snaftle as an amateur for some time, but
easily came into the heavier professional har-
ness. H Will prove Il valuable accession to this
company. Many local gags pervade the piece,
and every person of note in the community,
and all the local events OF the time. are hon
ored by recognition. The TWO gendarmes,
Messrs Ferris Hartman and Thomas c. Leary
characters well sustained, have a topical song
in which police affairs are funnily reviewed,
and which was demanded many lines by the
audience. They evident considered il a
choice morsel. There is great room for i'm
provement, however. III the general rendering
OF the opera.
The Orpheum Music Hall held crowd to en-
Joy the dyed-in-the-wool Georgia Ministries.
engineered by Richard and Pringle. The bust
ness was of the broad and f1orid description ex-
pected from such performers. Not many new
jokes. but all there were told with the audience,
judging from the roars of laughter. There was
good deal OF singing, dancing and general
rough fun.
The Grove-street reoDened last evening under
F. C. Cifton's management in CO. cooperation
with the Orpheum, both houses being under
Gus Walters control. The style OF entertain
ment is variety, and great number Of Hayes
Valley people enjoyed IT.
At Morosco's Grand Opera-house the usual
large audience assembled to see Joseph j.
Bowling and Miss Myra L. Davis in the new
melodrama called 1.-The Red Spider" a queer
combination of stock dramatic business. The
piece went smoothly and The large audience
was evidently pleased.
Henry Arthur Jones. the English dramatisf,
recently declared that the representation OF
physical disease. horrors and sordidness on the
stage was 10 be unreservediy condemned The
present epidemic of physical disease which had
slightly attacked the English stage was, he
thought. at bottom a town-bTed mental disease.
He believed that it arose from the nausea of
town life and from a desire 10 escape from its
own self.weaTiness and disgust and therefore il
plunged its nose in the mire OF its own ere
alton. He would admit on the stage no forms
of horrors or disease for their own sake Tor, as
a matter of knowledge. those subjects so far as
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