The herald., 1895-08-25
AT THE THEATERS

While business has been notably good
in all commercial ways this summer.
there never,nas been q more disgustingly
dull season in Los Angeles than that
OF the past three or four months. At
last the:e is promise OF something
worth while seeing and hearing. Too
Much Johnson was we'll enough in its
way, as a starter. 1t made every one laugh
ut its wit until the last act, when the
very weak and banal ending produced
feeling OF sadness at the plain fact of the
clever author having bitten off more than
he could chew. to use an expressive bit
of slang. in writing a play 80 funny at
frs. that ho evidently exh austcd his
humor at the last. and had to wind the
thing up with an abruptness that was
akin to stupidity.
Mr.. Gillette, however. proved himself
to be such master OF all the cardinal
virtues of the dramatiss and the actor as
well, that little venial sin like the one
referred to can be said to only emphasize
the many charming excellencies OF his
farce.
"A play which tho author-and perhaps
lot of other people as well-fondly
hope will succeed Blind Tom in the IA
vor of the public is called Down on
the Swanee River. Forty negroes and
only two white persons are in the cast.
The story begins in Africa, and the black
hero and heroine reach the paradise of
Thompson street, New York, by way of a
southern plantation. Thi, notion is
novel and admits of ali sorts of specialties.
" 4 n
Beerbohm Tree writes to Stephen Fiske
OF the New York Spirit from Marienbad.
where he has been resting after his long
season: 81 liked the American dramati-
zation of Trlby very much indeed, and
urged NJ. Du Mauricr to accent it. What.
ever terms he arranged with the dramatist
could not make "A penny difference to me.
as he had to supply the play. Matters
have now been happily arranged so that
we shall do tho American version at the
Haymarket. l look forward with pleas
ure to the prospect OF meeting my friends
in America once more" The date at
present fixed for the Lonuon production
Of tho novel has been published and the
book has been again reviewed. "A
rechauffage of Thackoray," ii is called by
tho clever critic Of Truth. That is truth.
Il 4 =
Sydney Cowcll who retired from the
stage about six years ago. will return to
the profession as a member of Robert
billiards. company at Hoyts theater.
September ?. She is an excellent little
attrcss.
Zella Nicolaus will make her debut as
a burlcsque actress or actress Of bures-
que. as it may happen, in the White
Crook, which is to be produced at St.
James hall, new York. September I'd.
She is the woman by whom George Gould
is sued for $40. 000
p HA
Hon. Charles Hoyt has decided to call
his baseball play A Runaway Colt. 1t is
to be hoped it will make big hit and a
home run. says the New York Spirit.
4 4
Charles r. Pope. formerly tragedian.
then United States consul at Toronto, now
manager OF the Oriental tneater. st. Louis,
is elgacIng talent for comic opera, to
N,:ieh style of entertainment his theater
will bo exclusively devoted next season.
Alice Harrison will return to the stage
and play Mrs. General Grumm in the
Camille d'Arvills comic opera pany.
Colonel Percy Fenimore of the Or
phenn, who has been on vacation, will
return to the boards OF that theater on to-
morrow night and recommence doing his
IiNorlte speciuity ol wrltiDE duVance.nc-
tees in such guise as to make editors be-
lieve that they are live news matter. Mr..
Barnes of New York and other places
has ueen ably tillir: his place.
y 4 4
Colonel Harry Wyatt of the Los Z ngeles
theater has had little to do this summer,
except to farm on his ranch near Pasa-
dena, where he very successfully cult
Yates white, red. anc sometimes blue
chips. harvesting large crops as rule.
though often "a dry season strikes him.
He is back in town now, however, ready
for busy season.
= = =
Mr.. Edwin Ferry. Mr.. Charles NJ. Col
Inns. Mr.. J. r. Amory and Mrs. f. NJ.
Bates will be members OF the Robert
Downing company for next season.
ANNOUNCEMENTS