The record-union., 1896-12-21

cess of the company. Gilbert Clayton
was leading comedian with the Pearl
of Pekin company, for three years
principal support Of Francis Wilson,
and also with Lillian Russell, Charles
A. Hoyt and A M. Palmer. He is
character actor whose methods are le-
gitimate. Stanley Felch is well known
as fun maker; he has made big hit
at the TivolL Robert Lett, young
man with a fine baritone voice and
ability as a comedian, was last season
with the Lady Slavey" at the New
York Casino. These artists, supported
by well trained chorus and orchestra
under the direction of Eugene Rolhen-
berg, and the entire stage superntended
by Jules Grau, present an aggregation
which must meet the approval OF every
lover of good music and refined COM
edy. Alice Johnson, the singing SOU
brette, is a very popular member of
the company and wherever she has ap-
peared has won unstinted praise. Alice
Carrie is another favorite of the troupe,
of whom the press speaks f1atteringly.
The Portland, Or, Telegram" last
month opened long notice of the
troupe in these words: Portland has
been entertained by more pretenticus
operate organizations than the one that
opened brief engagement last even
ing at the Marquam, but 1t never was
given more satisfactory returns for it's
money. The Grau company is not
strong in spots, as is too frequently
the case with troupes of this kind, but
is well balanced artistically and just
heavy enough numerically to meet the
requirements and avoid overcrowding.
The principals meet the score without
faltering or taking, the chorus is pleas
ing to both eye and ear, the orchestra
ton Is excellent and the staging elabo-
rate and appropriate. In a word, the
Grau company gives full value for the
popular prices that it charges. "The
Beggar Student" was the opening
opera. It was heartily enjoyed by an
audience limited in numbers by the
seating capacity of the house. Stand
ing room only was the legend dis
played at the theater entrance half an
hour prior to the ascent Of the curtain,
and an hour later there were scores of
late-comers who seemed to be glad that
they had paid for the privilege of stand
ing. 1t was the biggest house Of the
season." Manager Todd has written
this engagement with the prices at pop
ular figures; If there was more of that
done such audiences would be larger,
but in most cases the troupes cannot
be so contracted with by the local
manager. For the Grau engagement
the prices will be for the Christmas
Day and Saturday matinees 25 and 80
cents. For the evening operas, 20 cents,
so cents and Is cents. The repertoire
will be Monday, "Beggar Student;
Tuesday, Paul jones'" Wednesday,
Fra Diavalo;" Thursday, "Black Hus-
sar;" Friday, matinee, "Eminine;" Fri
day, ''Tar and Tartar" Saturday, Ship
Ahoy."
At the Clunie Opera-house this even
ing a new bill, triple bill indeed, will
be presented. The stock company will
play Nat Goodwin's popular farce com
edy, Confusion" which will be cast
to the full strength of the company
There will also appear Kaoly, a Won
derfully successful acrobat, and Troi-
bert, the wizard, one very peculiar in
his methods. Both are from the Or
pheum, San Francisco, where they have
recently played with complete success.
In the farce-comedy there will be mu-
sical specialties by the versatile men,
bers Of the company.
Interest continues to grow in the
Christmas Free Dinner benefit that
Manager Todd, the people Of the opera
house and all related to it give Wednes-
day afternoon. The bill will be the same
as that noticed for the week in this
column. The total receipts, without
a cent Of exception, as every expense
has been donated from salaries to lights
and printing to ushering. will be evenly
divided between the Christmas dinner
funds for the poor given by the Saliva
ton Army, the Founding Hospital and
the Orphan Asylum. For such good
ends the house should be crowded
from pit to DOME" and then thrice
as many more tickets should be sold
on the outside. Those wishing tickets
themselves or to dispose of should Sc
cure them from the proper source and
proceed to sell as many as possible