The herald., 1896-08-31
;. At THE THEATERS ;
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ORPHEUM.-Lovers of vaudeville
and opera alike will be pleased with the
| Orpheum program tonight. for the prin-
cipal feature on the bill will be an CO.
! era. rendered with all the artistic per-
| fection of such performances and made
| doubly entertaining by the fact that it
| is given by one man. That man is Bl-
ondi. the great Italian transformation
actor, who has won the praise OF the
| world by his peculiarly versatile ability.
| Biondi is literalyf r whole show in him.
| self. He presents an opera, a drama,
| comedy or tragedy-sometimes assum'
| ing as many as twenty-five roles all by
himself He is the basso and the soprano,
| the gay soubrette or the heavy villain,
all in the same play. Biondis perform
ance is a wonder. as well an an exquisite
bit of art. His versatility is unlimited.
1t takes him but moment to change
from one extreme character to another,
| not only in dress and appearance, put IN
every particular. 1t is rare treat "
| have Biondi at the Orpheum, and the
| ater-goers should take advantage of l..
Prof r. a. Kennedy, the hypnotlst,
whose wonderful and most humorous
! turn was the talk of the town last week,
| will also appear tonight The other
| Goldie, old-time favorite comedians,
| who have a spicy new comedy sketch;
| Lillian Mason, the charming character
vocalist and comedienne, in a bright
| repertoire of late songs, and that clever
couple of entertainers, Bellman and
| Moore, who have prepared splendid act
for their last week here. There will be
a great rush for seats and those who
| wish to see the show at all tonight
! must reserve seats early.
! BURBANK THEATER.-The comedi-
| ans of Growers AlcaZar company, who
| have scored such an artistic success IN
| San Francisco, opened at this theater
| last evening in an exceedingly accept
| able presentation of double bill. The
| opening was much in the fashion of the
| good old days, when the players pleas
ured their audiences with sterling
comedy, followed by a screaming farce.
| In this case the comedy was the old IA
| vorte of Coyne, Eterybody's Friend, IN
which Clark and other potentates of the
| world of comedy made their signal tri-
| umphs in the role of Major Wellington
| de Boots. The text of this fine old COM
! edy has, in some degree been revised by
| Mr.. Leonard Grover, and many points
| of action modernized. This work of re-
| vision is in no sense obtrusive, and the
| strong and telling lines remain with
| their original Vigor and fun-maklng
| strength. a full need of appreciation,
| both of the comedy and the company
| presenting it. was rendered by the large
| audience present in their hearty ana en-
| thusiastic response TO the good WORK
| presented, and it is safe to say that Los
! Angeles play-goers may congratulate
| themselves on this opportunity to see
| fine old comedy admirably exploited.
Mr. Leonard Grover, Jr, as Major w Wel-
| lington de Boots, gave most deligntiul
INSTRUMENTATION. He has adhered to
many of the old traditions as to the
| business" of the part, and WnateVer III
| novations he has made are eXceedlhsly
| effective and acceptable III a hish ue
gree, demonstrating the player arr.
| Next in point of excellence comes the
| irnnersopatio of Mrs. SWansdoWn by
| Nav Noble, who possesses the requisite
| bea,1ty to essay the role, allied with
most admirable stage manners and
schooling. She makes, In truth, most
charming Mrs. Swansdown. inc WofN
! Of Fanny Young, as Mrs. de foots. IS
also especially noteworthy as strong
assumption, and Nellie Young was fully
IN TO the requirements as MTa. Feath-
erly. Messrs. Powers, Hess and LleW-
Ilyn. as Featherly, Icebook and Trap,
| likewise gave very acceptable imperaon-
| ations of the respective characters.
The farce, Little John H. a very clev-
er adaptation of one of the old-style
| farces, closed the bill in a delightful
| fanfaronade of laughter. Mr.. Grover
was excruciatingl funny as Little John
| L. and Oracle Plaisted a long time
| prima donna at the Tvoli San Francis
co. as Maggie Casey captured the house
with her sprightly songs ard piquant
stage manners AS q matter of fact, the
double bill makes most brilliant open
| ing for the Burbank, and to play-goers
{ VINO seek occasion for laughter ample