The morning call., 1894-03-13
AT THE THEATERS.
Warde=JameS Company
at the Baldwin.
Monroe at the California and i" Ole
Olson" at the Stockweli Are the
Other New Features.

The Warde-0 ames engagement opened
at the Baldwin last evening under the
most auspicious conditions. There was
full attendance of most appTeciaiive
auditors; people who were intelligent
enough to take in all the points made in
the great play of 'Viginius," and gener-
Gus enough to bestow liberal applause
where it was deserved. Mr.. Warde's per-
sonaiion OF the Roman father. patriot and
soldier is too familiar to our theater-
goers to need dwelling on at length. 1t
was apparent, though, that as he played
the part last night. he is not as boisterous
in action as he was wont to be. and his
reading is more subdued, while equally as
intense in expression. This was especially
notlceably in the forum scene. He thrilled
the audience by the force and depth Of his
emotion, without assailing the ear by the
clamor of his speech. His mOnologue
over the body of his dead friend, Dentatus,
was in the same vein. The play was pre-
scented with exquisite scenery, and in all
it's usual fullness of business. The text of
the opening scenes was read nearly as
originally written. A good idea, because
thereby, some subsequent ones are given
additional strength.
Mr.. Louis James as Appius Claudius
u
carriage was that of man in authority
the bearing Of a Decemvir-one of the
ten magistrates who held in their hands
the fortunes and destinies of Rome, but
whose lustful and evil passions had OBJ
scured in bis mind the high duties of his
position. James read splendidly. In the
old time he used TO be rather shaky as TO
his text, but, we presume, with increasing
years and experience and the practice of
study his memory has become more reten-
tive. There was no fault to be found with
him.
Miss Fannie Bowman as Virginia, at
tracted a good deal of attention. BY her
youthful and petite figure she looked the
character. The little love passages with
lellius In the opening acts were rendered
with charming simplicity, and In her dire
extremity there was a tender helplessnesS
in her manner that drew sympathetic
tears from the ewes OF the ladies in the
auditorium. She read her lines. too, with
a graceful precision, broken occasionally
as the knowledge OF her threatened dam
ger came to her mind in its full force.
At the close of the forum scene there
was unanimous call of the leading actors
before the curtain, including Miss Fannie
Bowman, the Virginia. Mr.. Warde. who
came when all the others had made their
bow and departed. remained. and INDUCED
in little speech. He thanked the audi
ence in behalf Of himself and his fellow
players for the warm reception accorded
them. Since his stvisit many gentlemen
and ladies eminent in the profession had
been before the San Francisco public, but
yet, he was pleased TO observe, be still
held a warm place in the hearts and minds
of the lovers of legitimate drama. He was
not only pleased with this, he was proud
of it; and he asked those who were listen
ing TO him to rest assured that in the fu-
ture. as in the past. his constant endeavor
would be to merit their best consideration.
This little speech was roundly applauded
Warde is quite as happy before the cur
tain as be is on the stage.
Some of the minor characters were in
good hands. London Mccormack made
good deal OF Dentatus, and Charles d.
Herman of Icilius. Miss Florence Everett,
however. was hardly up to the demands Of
Servia. She was weak in the forum
scene.
The mad scene was. of course, played In
the usual manner. In the attempts of the
modern stage people 10 tinker with 'Vir-
ginius," it is strange there has not been an
attempt to eliminate this mad scene alto
gether.
MY Aunt Bridget" was brought out at
the New California by George w. Monroe.
who played the title role. Imagine Bur
CESS in "The Widow Bedott" and an idea
of the business is gained. There are a
the audience seemed to enjoy them heart
lily. The piece wound up with serpep-
tine dance-all variety shows have this
darce-made attractive by electrical aud
calcium lights. There were two or three
dancers engaged. 1t was brilliant whirl.
The Bush-street Theater, with its newly
painted facade in pure white. is an object
of nterest on this thoroughfare. The per-
formance nj s"The Snider and EIuv oatohoe
a good many people, for the reason. it is
supposed. that it is carried on principally
by bevy of handsome and shapely girls.
who, having pretty feet, are not afraid to
show them. Curious combinations make
up the business. including scrap out of
one of an old pantomime of the Ravels.
'eie serpentine dancing is the chief fea
IRE of the entertainment.
Cole Olson" draws to the StockwelI.
For this reason it has been rewritten and
raany new features added, Illustrative of
tie fortunes of the wandering Swedish
Immigrant. James A. Herne has also gone
ever the play and compacted IL in good
acting fashion.
The Tivoli opened with 1.-THE Hoolah"
to the usual crowded auditorium. twill
lie continued all this week.
If there is anything in luck the Orphe-
nm Music Hall seems to have a run of it
Just now. The place is crowded to the
doors. Sandowe, a strong man. appeared
last night in connection with many other
attractions.
A Treat in Store.
A concert is promised by the Stanford
University Glee Club. to be given at Met.
roooifton TampIa on Thurcdar >,..,