The San Francisco call., 1896-12-22
HOLIDAY PLAYS
At THE THEATERS
The Frawley Company in
The Railroad of
Love-"
two Ballets Given SimuItane.
Gwo Ballets Given Simultane.
ously on the Orpheum
Stage.
"She" at the Grand Opera. House
With Fine Scenic Effect.
TIE AlcaZar.

A warm welcome was given the Frawley
Company last night on their return to the
Columbia Theater for the holiday season,
The play they appeared in was Augustin
Days adaptation from the German "The
Railroad of Love-" which has been PLAYED
here by the Daily troupe. The Frawleys
essayed it for the first time, ana it will no
doubt be added to the successes of their
repertoire, for 1.-The Railroad of Love" is
one of the bright, light society com edie s
in which the company is especially at
home.
The fun of the play centers round
several love complications caused by the
eagerness of fathers and cousins of the
interested parties to havs finger in their
matrimonial pie. Mrs. Valentine Osprey,
fascinating widow, has a cousin, Phoenix
Scuttleby, who will come in for her for
tune if she remarries.
The object of Phonix's life is to marry
OF cousin Val" " ana in his desire to
achieve this end he does not even wait to
see whether possible admirers have wives
of their own. Viva Van Riker is young
lady whUse father seems almost as anxious
to dispose Of her as Phoenix is to dispose
OF his fair cousin, and as the course
Of true love never runs smooth,
Lieutenant Everett, the husband de-
signed for Viva, falls in love with cousin
Val" and Viva lavishes her affections on
Benny Demarasq, young man whom the
Judge is finally prevailed upon 10 accept
for son-in-law as last resource.
Miss Blanche Bates played Cousin Val
with her usual spirit and vivacity, but
not in her usual style, for during her ab-
sence in Honolulu this sparkling actress
has taken or most singular rese m blance
to Maxine Elliott in the way that she
speaks and talks and looks at people.
1t may have been an accidental resemb-
lance, but there were times when the in
Elections of Miss Bates voice were identi-
cal with those of Miss Elliott voice, and
she certainly looked at her lover with the
poise of the head and the upward glance
so much affected by the fair Maxine.
However, Miss Bates acted with more vi
vacjty than Miss Elliott is probably capa-
bic of assuming.
Frank Worthlng made an impassioned
lover as Lieutenant Everett. The scene
IN which be and Cousin Val make love
through half-open door was particularly
well acted. The lady being en- dishab bile
was the reason she alleged for not coming
out into the open.
Daniel Frawlev played Benny Demar-
asq. the swain whom Judge Van Ryker
rejected for a son-in-law, till Viva made
not changed in his acting-he seldom
does change-but he gave manly, un-
affected Interpretation of lis part.
Harry Corsen Clarke provided a good
deal of amusement as PhenIx Scuttleby,
who meddled matrimonially in his
cousin affairs. His own little love affair
with a sportive widow was also the cause
of much hilarity. Miss Phosa McAllister
played the widow in her usual clever
manner.
Miss Hope Ross. who goes on steadily
improving, was E7a Van Ryker and Will
son Enos played the part of the JUDGE.
Maclyn Arbuckle had scarcely part CON-
mensurate with his talents, but what he
had to do he did well. The rest of the
caste was satisfactory.
good deal of amusement was caused
by large bunch of mistIetoe suspended
in the foyer of the Colum bia Theater.
1t did not serve for anything save senti-
ment, but people laughed as they passed
it by. At the conclusion of 1.-THE Railroad
of Love-" Nelson H. Primus' painting,
"Christ Before Plate was exhibited on
the stage.