The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-09-30

"Church and Stage" the result cannot be
other than sensational.
Whatever interest there may be aroused
over this effort of Kremer's pen, more
would center upon the author if his his
torV were known. He came here a little
less than year ago from Australia, un-
heralded and unknown, but, according to
the Antipodan newspapers, he had
achieved some stage fame in that far
away country. He is now but % years of
age, but when one looks over his life as he
relates it there is much to marvel over.
Not that he is genius. for he isn't, nor
that he is great playwright. for he isn't.
But for pluck and iudomitable energy he
stands uniquely alone.
Kremer's father is colonel in the Ger
man army. and he hates the tage with the
same sort of dynamite" fury hat social
lists hate millionaires, and il the plays and
players of the world could be Jumped he
would cheerfully and gayly blow the en-
tire offensive mass into small bits.
That is probably The reason why y0un Q
Kremer loves the stage so, and why, az the
ge of II, with a fair education, he left his
native home TO become a pupil under the
great Poser. He made his first appear
ance in the role of an actor before the old
Emperor William, and subsequently APP
peared upon the stage 10 Berlin. Ii was
there that his wralhful father overlook
him and, during stormy interview. shot
at his uDdutiful son in his room at en- no
tel, and it was there that they parted for
ever, the father 10 return TO his nome, and
the sen to leave for London. In that
great city the young man seemed to get on
famously. He had a fair knowledge of
the English language, and, being possessed
of graceful and picturesque presence, he
succeeded in Joining Wilson Barrett S
company. and subsequently, played with
other famous stars. Then he journeyed
TO Australia ana became popular with
Br0ugh and Bouccault. He wrote plays
OF his OVID, notably, TIE Nihilist" and
From Home to Home" and as nobody
had ever seen anything quite like them
they we're received with much favor.
With these and other plays Kre mer
came to San Francisco, and in the early
days of his life here he wrote the play
which, as is heretofore stated, will cause a
sensation when it is produced.
Mr.. Kremer is nothing if not intrepid,
and he has struck out boldly with the idea
of reconciling the church with the stage
Whether he has succeeded or not is a
ma tier for future consideration. That he
h as 'plotted plol' that is uniquely new
can be decided now. He has chosen an
Episcopal rector and curaie, an Arch
bishop of the Catholic faith and Jewish
rabbi for his central figures. He endows
the rector with daughter (Albana by
name) and gives the rabbi one, whom be
called Rebecca. They run away from
home, meet with adventures that are
highly sensational. 10 say the least, and
after learning much moro OF the world
han their respective fathers ever intended
they should. they return home 10 San
Francisco, where the rector has charge of
Trinity Church
ALBANIA has developed into something OF
a cynie. She is brilliant, magnetic and
audaeious.
1t is after her return that the play really
takes shape. 10 bringing about the har-
mony OF The church and stage the author
takes some startling liberties with his
ecclesiastical characters. and incidentally
the usual wickedness is revealed, repent
| ant tears are shed, heroes are rewarded
! and fond fathers take the erring ones to
their hearts again.
Whether the play has great merit or moi
| is left for the critics TO decide. At any
rate 1t is novelty. and considering the
youth of it's author is we'll constructed.
Shortly before May Brooklyn took hel
life she heard it read aud commended it