The herald., 1896-12-22
Observation-Disclosures
: At THE THEHTERS ;
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ORPHEUM-There has been a notable
succession of crowded houses at this
popular theater on Monday nights this
easily one OF the largest that has as
sembled there for year.
The fact that the Orpheum was the
only theatrical attraction, added to the
extraordinary merit Of the bill, accounts
for the big audience. The galaxy of first
class vaudeville stars who make I'D the
program offered fund Of amusement
last night to Orpheum patrons that
has rarely been equaled in its va
riety and excellence. The opening
sketch. A Perplexing Predicament, in
which Marble, Lewis, Shepard; Thatcher
and Elliott participated, set the pace
for fast and furious fun making This
laughable act was followed by Langs-
low, the shooting star. Lanssiow is
mot only one Of the most expert and
graceful tight rope walkers we have had
here this season, but is likewise one cf
the finest rifle shots that has appeared
on the local boards, and when he gave
an exhibition of fancy shots, at the
same time balancing himself on the
wire, he reused the audience to a. furore
OF enthusiasm. He was repeatedly and
deservedly encored. Thatcher and
Marble followed in a clever and comic
white and black sketch, that made a big
hit with the house. One of the sensa.
tional features of the bill was the spinal
globe act of Ellen Vetter, which can
well be designated as a truly wonderful
performance. Lewis and Elliott gave a
clever musical sketch, and were re-
peatedly encored Burt Shepard fol-
lowed and kept the house in roar with
ms droll sayings and his comical paro
!dleS OF popular SONGS
The Hagihara troupe Of Jananese
acrobats easily take rank as the premier
artists in their line who have appeared
here for year. Their feats of acrobatic
Skill are amazingly clever, and called for
enthusiastic plaudits. Stuart who is
known as the best female impersonator
now before the public, sang several
sonSs IN ms marvellous soprano voice,
ana the audience gave him five enthusi-
astic recalls. The performance closed
with the sensational head balancing
'acts ana other feats in the equilibristic
line by the RONALD brothers. Alto
gether the show at the Orpheum this
week can be classed as one of the best
Of the season.
Los ANGELES Tf1EATER.-Com-
mencing on Thursday evening, Dec. "a.
Alden Benedict's superb company Will
open in the fine creation, Fabio Romani.
When Marie CoreiM first gave us thai
strong and effective novel. The Vendetta
little could one imagine 1t might be dra-
mtaized Without losing some OF its pc
cuiiar strength and fascination Rut
Mr. Benedict has carried out this task
successfully. and if anything has given
TO the public play far superior to the
novel. 1t surpasses Monte Cristo in
lts intensity OF action, in the subtlety
OF plot. IN its cause an effect.
Fabia Romani is q tale of the dead
founded first and last upon the Judas
IKE dupHcity of woman. The strong char
acters are those Of Fabfo Romani. the
wronged husbnd and implacable aveng
er; Nina, the wife of the virtuous trust
ing. studious Fabio, the woman who
bartered her all for the love of gold:
Guido Fefrar, the treacherous friend
ana vf!lainous desecrator Of peace and
virtue; and Respetti, the Neapolitan
ragpicker. The cast is indeed a strong
one. Grace Hunter gives an execution
ally hne act, and Is a dream of the DO
etry Of grace and motion in her fancy
dances. The scenic effects are ex-
cellent. The engagement is for three
nights and Christmas matinee.
BURBANK THEATER.-"The land
where the mist of the eve and the gray
or the morn kiss each other through
the shades of the night" Such is the
poetlcal title of a spectacular romance
which will be at the Burbank theater
christmas matinee and evening and
Saturday and Sunday evenings, with a
saturday matinee of this week
There is legend of Iceland which
tells of two half-brothers who grew to
manhood before they met. Each one
from the cradle had been taught a mis-
sion OF vengeance against the other to
requite the wrongs of their resDectiye.
mothers The one is an Icelandic giant
brought up to battle with the seas. the
other a son Of the tropics, with all the
fire of the southern born.
The viking ships cross the ocean, and
the brothers, unknown to each other
cross in love. which breeds a new ha-
tired. Again they meet in affiiction and
exile, and suffering warns their hearts
70 each other before recognition comes.
Then. like Damon and Pythias, the
other offers his life to gave his brother
From this story Mr.. Edwin Barbour
has written play of unusual strength
and dramatic power surrounding it with
spectacular grandeur which will en-
trance the spectator. The scenery of
Iceland affords opportunity for display
OF beauty and awe-inspirdng effects
which are produced by the tempestuous
nature of this little known, but wild
and erratic land
The sulphuric and volcanic soil bat
ties with the frozen atmosphere, caus-
ing earthquakes and explosions Of the,
mines. dealing panic and death to the
unhappy exiles and villagers. 1t must
not be supposed that Mr.. Barbour's
play leans toward the horrible; 1t is
simply realistic. Much human interest
is manifest lit UP by some sparkling
comedy. A magnificent ensemble is
promised at once fascinating and geo.
graphically instructive. Seats are now
on sale.