The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-17
At THE CITY THEATERS,
Pauline Hairs Bright Acting
Wins Applause at the
Baldwin.
IDA vALERGA IN THE LUCIA"
A Great Scenic Play at Morosco'S.
Pearl Andrews Baggage.
Growers Alcazar.

There were enough humorous situations,
pretty music and sprishtly acting in the
comedy produced by Pauline Hall and her
company last night to win hearty APP
plause from large audience at the Bald
win Theater.
Although one of Miss Halls titles is said
to be the queen of comic opera" her
latest work, "Dorcas," is not really light
opera, but musical comedy something of
the mile. Nitouche" type, where songs,
duets, quartets, ETC., are interspersed occa-
sionally in the dialogue, but where there Is
no comic-opera chorus.
''Dorcas'' is bright, amusing work, that In
creases in interest as the action progresses. A
good deal of the amusement springs from
disguise within disguise assumed by the
heroine. Lady Honoria first masquerades as
peddler, in order to find out the character OF
the young man she is to marry. In this role
she stays at the village inn, and discovering
that her dissipated brother, whom she has not
seen for years. is preparing to lay desperate
siege to the heart of "Dorcas," the innkeepers
pretty wife, the supposed peddler offers to
assume the disguise of q woman and go to the
hall to impersonate Dorcas. The innkeeper,
who is of a somewhat jealous nature, Jumps at
the offer and some amusing complications
enSue.
With the exception of this little intrigue the
plot of ''Dorcas' cannot be called very original.
The work recalls Dorothy in its scenes of
bucolic English life, as well as III its rustic
innkeeper with whose domestic felicity the
equality from the hall NEEDLE in the same
unwarrantable manner. good many of the
characters are also familiar friends, particu-
larly the version of Mrs. Malaprop, who in
"Dorcas" is maid to the dissipated EarPs wife,
and who makes such remarks as "My Lady.
you re too liniment with him."
This role is played in a spirited and accept
able manner by Miss Eva Davenport, aided by
balloon-like crinoline, which greatly en-
hances her powers of comedy. The innkeeper
is another character who makes fierce assaults
upon what may be called the Queens Eng
lish," since the action is supposed 10 pass in
England
original and all of it is charming. There was
scarcely number that was not encored, and
some songs had to be repeated more than once.
One of the prettiest melodies was the
"Chess" duet sung by the Earl's wife, Miss
jeanette st. Henry, and the tenor, Edgar Tenn
pie Saylor, as they played game OF chess:
The melody was written in minuet time and
was altogether charming. "Let Us Drink to
the Lass" ga Flower Is but Flower" LADY
Nine" ETC., were all numbers that received
well-deserved encores.
Miss Hall acted her part in q bright and
spirited manner, and her singing found con-
siderable favor. The first act when she ap-
pears as the peddler, does not give her many
opportunities, but in the d1awingroom scene,
where the innkeeper tries to teach her to walk
and talk like woman, she begins TO make the
real impression of the evening, and from that
point she kept her hold on her audience till the
end of the comedy. Her song, "I See Must
Endeayor to Initiate You If Can" was capt.
tally rendered, as were also her other solos.
Edgar Temple Saylor, the tenor made SYM
pathetic lover and Hugh Chilvers was good as
the dissipated Earl. Miss jeanette st. Henry, the
Earls pretty wife, won almost as large share
OF public favor as the star.