The morning call., 1894-07-03
AT THE THEATERS.
Old Lavender f" Draws Tears and a
Full House.

I
"Old Lavender" was a great success al
the New California last evening. The
| crowded auditorium received it with
effusive furor. 1t is so entirely distinct
! from the rest of Harrigan's productions
so full OF pathos and sentiment-that il
| came like rest to the auditors. He was
| followed. as some one remarks, comment
| ing on the play. through his acts as dis
| couraged drunkard. sleeping on piers
and RATS in the river. His wanderings
and Sufferlngs are as powerful a temper
ance lesson, as ever was preached. Peo-
pie who want to see bit of realism in the
actual low life of San Francisco-for Har-
rigan studied the character at our city
front-such as they, perhaps. never
DIR canned of, should see him in this play
The first act in the antero0m Of the Owl
Club. and the different scenes that follow.
were admirably rendered, and the
songs, "The Jolly Old Owl" "When
the Clock in the Tower Strikes
Twelve" and please Pat That Down"
were rendered in such way as to cause
recalls by the gentlemen dressed in evening
costume. That was before George COgs-
Wells (afterward known as Old Lavender)
fall. Then came the two succeeding acts,
but still retaining such remains of his
former position as to command respect
from the waits and strayS with whom he
was compelled 10 associate. Harrigan, as
Old Law, sings good song in the second
act, when Poverty's Tears Ebb and
Flow" 1t seemed to strike the times and
his listeners, for they applauded with en-
ergy. The other songs in this and the
third act, Extra Extra" Love, Sweet
est Love" and Get Up. Jack; John, Sit
Down. were also well received. Miss
Emma Pollock. as Dick the Rat old Law
ender's protege, made a good enactiOn of
the part, and Miss Moore, as Mother Craw-
ford, keeper of the sailors Doarding-hOuse
(her original parD drew the attention of
the audience closely. The piece may be
sad TO have made hit, and will no doubt
run to full houses.
In speaking of Charlotte Corday" Mrs.
Potter says the play was very much ad-
mired in India, and she thinks that it will
become popular in this country. Re-
hearsals are now in progress at the Bald
win. and already the company have be-
come so familiar with their respective parts
that both Mrs. Potter ank Mr.. Bellew be-
leve il possible TO produce another play
called "In Society" during their coming
engagement in addition TO ''Therese" and
Charlotte Corday." Mrs Potter will wear
some gorgeous costumes If she is able to
appear in this piece. The sale of seats
will open on Thursday morning at the box
office. Orders from out Of town and else
where are already quite numerous, and in-
dicatlons point TO very successful en-
gagement. Immediately following the
Potter Bellew engagement at the Baldwin
comes John Drew in ''The Butterflies" !"
The Masked Ball." etc.
1.-The Rambler From Clare" pictur-
esque Irish drama by Dan Mccarthy and
company. jammed Morosco's Grand Opera
house. The stage settings were in ex-
cellent taste. Iu the first act, for example,
we had an Irish farmyard, surrounding
the happy home of Tony Sullivan dan
Mccarthy. perhaps little too affluent in
IS material wealth Tor the traditional
Irish homesteading, but very pleasant 10
look at. There was the cow. the horse,
and hens and chickens, all realistic,
that spoke OF comfort and prosperity.
A little incident occurred in this act that
was laughable, but at the same
time great compliment to the
scenic artist. Some of the chickens
roosting on the roof of one of the farm
buildings. concluded to change places
and flew to q scenic tree, so naturally
painted that deceived their fowl sense.
They struck the fiat and fell to the stage.
1t was like the story Of the spaniel who
made overtures of affection to the portrait
of his master that he found in an artists
studio. Mccarthy Crony Sullivan) is a
good Irish comedian. He Is quite as well
up in the business as the popular ice
Murphy, and more easy and flexible in
his movements. James NJ. Brophy as
Christian Malone, the Squire's son, is also
we'll io place. Miss Lucille La Verne as
Bessie Courtney distinguished herself. as
did Sara Stevens as Mrs. Sullivan. Natl
nee tomorrow, Wednesday.
Mr.. Jay Rial. favorte name in San
Francisco, brought out Uncle Toms
Cabin" with his company at the Stock
we'll to full auditorium-a somewhat un-
usual sight at this theater. The old slave
drama was well mounted and well acted,
excepting that Haley and Loher, the slave
hunters, were little noisy in their speech
and demonstrative in their action. Per-
haps this was because they have been
on the road too long. BY simmering
down a little they will be more effective.
Otherwise the business OF the play was
well done. The scene where the two great
Danes. Hector and Porth0s, two ferocious
looking brutes, pursue the fugitives from
slavery over the Ice foes on the Ohio,
brought rounds of applause from the ex-
cited audience. Miss Mollie Stockmeyer
made good Topsy, and little Mildred
fitzgerald as Eva, IN her lnfanrile dis
courses with Uncle Tom (Mr. Louis Wood.
drew tears from all eyes. Uncle Tom"
ought to have run in this city just now.
and prove fad with interior visitors.