The herald., 1896-02-25
AT THE THEATERS


though the audience had to wait a long
time to see their former idol. The Wick
low Postman had to be endured first, but
the mellowness of the drama was fully ap-
preciated by the gallery, in which there
was no standing, hardly breathing room.
The usher's order, "hats off" seemed su-
perfuous, for coats were already discard
ed. There was both fine and broad humor
in the production, but that of the audience
was the very best; they laughed immoder-
ately where the wit was impenetrable, they
thrilled audibly at the countless incrimi-
mating documents produced and at the
awful yet satisfactory results. But few
of the audience seemed TO echo the
sentiment of one of the characters in the
piece which was ''d--n the Wicklow
Postman." Seriously, however, there was
much to commend in Eugene O'Rourke's
impersonation of the honest Irish lad.
Messrs. jefferson, Lloyd and Edwin Nor
dant proved such satisfactory villains that
they thoroughly merited the hatred of
"the gOds.o The elastic grimaces of
Roger Dolan, as Patsy Quinlan, lover of
girls, convulsed the house, as did IN like
measure those of belle Dolan as an Irish
Biddy, who had buried three husbands and
was looking for fourth.
The house was hushed in solemn silence
when at last the Wicklow Postman had
risen victorious over all villainy, and Par
son Davies delivered his smooth little
speech, introducing the two great veteI.
ans of the prize ring, John l.. Sullivan and
Paddy Ryan. The personality of Mr.. Sui.
Ivan is, still, it must be confessed, of in
terest. The ex-champion has put on lot
of flesh of late and very little exercise
takes the wind out of the $50 pounds of
Atc hotr fG a
grey, there was an ugly scar at
the back of his head and still Wis
lble bruise on his forehead. "Parson"
Davies looked by far the fittest man of the
trio. Paddy Ryan could have done much
as he pleased with John L. in the three
rounds, but they spared pleasantly, with
some science and many smiles. The heavy
blows were carefully planted on each
other shoulders, though once in while
they got fair smack at each others ply
sipgomies. There was shout of "SoaB
him Sullivan" but the erstwhile giant WAS
breathing very heavily. and Paddy seemed
in much better condition. The audience
the breath for a speech and the curtain
fell.
The same performance will be repeated
tonight.
+ + 4
The Characterization the curtain went
up for the first act at the Orpheum last
night and the two favorite dancers, Howley
and Doyle, appeared, it was some time be-
fore they could begin their Introductory
which greeted them. This is the second
week of their engagement, and they have
made many friends by their clever and fin
ished dancing. Clog steps are their forte,
and they execute them with consummate
skill. Two more graceful and refined
r. hoxr hr.-1 ft,<,
conclusion of their act, which is brought to
a climax by successive indis idual turns, is
nothing less than a marvel of agile accom-
plishments. Mr.. Howley leads off with a
brilliant start, and does some difficult steps
that it would seem impossible to surpass,
and is followed by Mr.. Doyle in his, imita.
tion drum beating in manner that de-
lights every one who likes refined and
clever dancing. g
hoarse scream, two or three pistol
shots and wild scurrying of tramp-like
individual, and Lorraine. the grotesque
comedian and contortionist, comes on The
stage. II wonder what they were shooting
at, he says, and turns to see. displaying a
broad regulation target on his back.
Miss Howell, the other member of the
oddity team, is a winning little soubrette
who makes a conscientious endeavor to
hold the attention of the audience while the
contortionist is performing some of the
most COnpilcat6u experiments III QlStOrI.
ing the human anatomy.
The introduction of their two trick dogs,
Grip and Jo-Jo. adds quite feature to the
turn. Grip is q fine specimen of bulldog
and is remarkably intelligent. An ele-
ment of fun is neatly brought into play
when the little sky-terrier, Jo-Jo, or as Mr..
Lorraine calls nim, the dog-faced dog,
barks loudly and interrupts a speech
which his master is attempting to make to
the audience. The entire act is full of life
| and fun. l-
The Dewitt Sisters repeat their musical
| performance on the violin and cornet in
| the same creditable manner that they did
last week. Their society dialogue, in
| which they give q satire on the fin-de-
| steele young woman is highly appreciated
| by the gallery gods, though as q vaudeville
| act it falls trife fiat.
| Miss Tina Corri, the vivacious ,ittle Eng
lisb comedienne and male impersonator,
made hit with her lively songs. l
| The best feature on the bill Is the turn
| given by Heeley and Marba, the eccentric
acrobats. Their work is different in many
ways from that usually given by aero
| batic comedians. 1t combines the exciting
element of good t,l,nbling with the roaring
| fun of the grotesque clown. This team
can only be compared to Caron and Her
bert. who achieved such success here a
| couple of weeks ago. Though somewhat
different it is fully as good. Some OF their
feats are marvellous, especially the pe-
| culiar somersatlts of Marba.
! Rachel Walker. the Creole nightingale,
was received with the same warm greeting
which was accorded her OH the evening of
! her first appearance. Her singing is differ
! ent from what is usually heard on the
| vaudeville stage. 1t is more on the order
| of that heard at high-class concerts or in
! grand opera. 1t has nevertheless been re.
ceived with great applause, and indeed is
| happy relief from the extreme comedy
| of the majo portion of the program,
| The real climax of fun is not reached
until Walter Stanton, the giant rooster,
appears in his original and unique act.
From the time he first strutted
out before the footlights and crowed,
and during the time that he
scratched about and found huge
| egg from which he hatched full grown
game fowl, and was finally overcome by
| him in hard fought battle. the audience
! was in perfect uproar. The scene was
too laughable TO be described. The serious
ness of the sprightly game rooster as he
dashed at his grotesque opponent was ex.
tremeiy funny. The giant rooster was in
| every sense a great success. During the
week the same bill will be given every
evening, and will doubtless draw crowded
houses, as it we'll deserves.
| L Z Il
| Los ANGELES THEATER.-In the company
which will support Thomas Keene, the ia.
tomorrow and on Thursday. is Anna Boyle
one of the best juvenile leading women on
! the American stage, who has chosen to OBJ
hnp J.xr G<,,, 1,,,.