The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-22
AT THE THEATERS

New Lo, Angeles Theater-Charley'
Aunt, one OF the funniest farce coined les
ever written, was produced at the Los
| Angeles theater last night. Charlev s
| Aunt is accredited, and truthfully so,
! with having enjoyed almost if not quite
| phenomenal success. Seldom has a play
! been quite so universally appreciated. 1t
has been translated into every language
worth translating it into, and in every
instance it has been favorably received.
However, one cannot help asking il the
company which presented it last night
had been the one to first stage it would it
nave become so popular? The name of
Charles Frohman has heretofore been
looked upon as sort of a guarantee of good
quality. OF course it is understood that
thers are Frohmans and Frohmans, but
there was only one Charles Frohman.
Either some of the mem bers of the
company were laboring under some dis
advantage not perceptible to the audi
ence, or the company as whole is not
up to the standard looked for and what
the public have u right to expect from
Charles Frohman. OF the company, JOS
eph Allen, J. W. Cope and Grace Tnorne
Coulter came the nearest t. fulfilling the
idea which Charles Frohman is himself
TcSpOuSlUl6 lOE CTedtlIks Iuc VI
the COMPANY gave in greater or lesser
degree the impression OF being clever
graduates of a theatrical school.
However, Charley's Aunt is one of tho
few plays which no one need be afraid CT
not getting his moneys worth out OF, in
laughter. IL the lines alone were de-
claimed, without the comedy action, they
would be funny, and even in the hands
of amateurs no end of snort could be
gotten out of it. 1t does not require
that a clever comedian bs employed to
empty pot of hot water into silk hat,
dash in pitcher OF milk and return the
mixture to the coffee pot, and 1t would
still be mirth provoking. Charlay's Aunt
is full of such situations-in fact,is ade
up of them.
Joseph Alien as Stephen Spettigue, J.
W. Cope as Col. Sir Francis Chesney, and
Grace 1horne Coulter had each the stage
carriage of the well trained actor who
can plav any part play it we'll and make
the most of the lines that fall TO him.
Joseph Allen in makeup, department
and pronunciation bore the stamp OF
genuine, polished actor. AS the father
who when boy had cut, up a few
pranks himself and expected his own kin
to do about the same, yet whose life was
wrapped up in the son, for whose good
he was ready to make any sacrifice. none
could ask better Sir Francis Chesney
than that of j. W. Cope. Equally clever,
though along different lines, was Joseph
Allen az stephen Spettigue. Mr.. Allen
was intended for a comedian both by
talent and physique. He is built along
such lines that he can be funny without
half trying, but in addition t. this he
carries with bin characteristics of one
who could upon provocation turn the
most serious lines to comedy.
While the lines of Grace Thorne Coulter
as Donna Lucia d'Alvadnrez did not cali
for any marked display of the dramatic,
the sentimental, or Of comedy, what lit
tie she did do was made the most OF and
bore tn, imprint OF the polished actress.
Arthur Larkin as Lord Fancourt Bat
terry, the college Chum who impersonates
Charley aunt. made no end of fun, but
there seemed to be something Lacking
about his work. Raymond Clapp was
fairly good as Jack Chesney and the
same OF Addison Pitt as Charley Wyke
man. Marie Anderson as Kitty Verdum
and Rose Hubbard as Amy Spettieue-
were fairly pretty girls, that was all.
There ia fun enough in Charley's Aunt
to draw good houses all tho week.