The herald., 1896-02-21
AT THE THEATERS

Los ANGELES THEATER-Hen Guy
Carletons drama, The Lions Mouth, has
evidently as great hold on the public as
ever, for the largest audience that has
yet graced Mr.. Warde's engagement wit
messed its performance last night.
The story is familiar enough to most
play goers, and the play has long been
numbered one of Mr.. Warde's most nota-
BILE successes. 1t is indeed test of the
popular actor's strength and versatility to
play such an intensely tragic part as that
of King Lear one night, to wear the totter-
ing brain of four score years, and the nsxt
evening to assume the habit of a
young Venetian hero. Mr.. Warde smiles
sometimes when the gay lithograph of
Rinaldo, which adorns the bill posts, meets
his eye; but the smile must be one of sat
isfaction, for it would be hard for any of
last nights audience to believe that the
handsome young hero on the stage is in
private life grandfather. hisdigression
goes but to prove the very remarkable
ability of Mr.. Warde's talent. His mper-
sonaton last night aroused the greatest
enthusiasm and both he and the leading
members Of his company were recalled
time after time. s.,3a =
rour HHe stdse pictures DSHuhueQ ttle
action OF the piece. That which rises on
the second ac,, the palace garden Of the
doge of Venice at moonlight, overlooking
the grand canal, was especially impressive.
and the stately minuet which is danced at
the opening of this act added to the effec-
tiveness of the picture.
Charles d. Hermann, who never fails to
make the most OF his opportunities, scored
a grand success i'll the part of the brazen
villain Francesca, who mas.luerades
beneath the cowi and gown of a
holy friar. Very powerful indeed
was his determined struggle, first for
power and then for life. AS usual. Mr..
combined Efforts of these two actors in
The Lions Mouth is always pleasant
memory. II. ID. Byers was again SUCCESS
full in comedy part and as Dionysio, the
jailer. was as unctlous an old hypocrte as
could be wished. Ernest G. Warde had
more important part in this production than
has previously fallen to him this week,
his acting was spirited, graceful and
earnest, and there is no doubt that his
fathers training will soon cure him of
some obvious weaknesses. AT present his
action is frequently too jerky, and he will
do well to discard a strut that proves the
reverse of effective. The worthy veteran,
Beverly Turner, was very acceptable
Doge, and the othar male parts were we'll
enacted.
In the part of Linora Miss Fanny Gillette
was seen to greater advantage than in any
previous production. Her acting was sym
pathetic and often powerful. Could she
cultivate more naturalness and squelch
certain ai1ectation of speech, particularly
at the finish of her lines, Miss Gillette would
commando "a still greater degree of success.
Miss Lucia Moore was altogether delight
full as the charming and sprightly
Marcella; the gay bantering of her lovers,
and the liveliness of the character quite
captivated the audience. Mrs. Waldron's
histironic ability was again we'll proved in
the part of the grabbed old dame, the
Doge's wife.
The performance was thoroughly enjoy.
ed by the large audience. Mr.. Warde's
second production of King Lear tonight
should not be missed by the appreciative
play-goer. Tomorrow the bill is. matinee,
julius Caesar; evening, The Mountepank.
= & =
THE ORPHEUM. - Rachel Walker, the
creole nightingale who is now singing at
the Orpheum. draws crowded houses
every night. She is singer of worldwide
reputation and is without doubt one of the
best every heard in this city. The Dewitt
sisters have also achieved a great success
with their clever violin and cornet playing,
Mason and Healy, the eccentric team.
known as One-aud-a-Half, will conclude
their engagement this week. Those
who wish to see two of the most original
comedians on the stage. should not fail to
see them before they go. The pretty
Henley Sisters. who have delighted every
one with their beautiful mirror dance, also
appear for the last time this week. Al.
most an entire change of program will be
made after Sunday, and some of the spe-
cialties now on the bill are too good to be
missed.
q y y
The BURBANK.-This evening and to-
morrow night will be the last presentations
of Wife For Wife. 1t will also be given at
the matinee tomorrow afternoon. Miss
Nannary in the laading role this week is
seen to advantage. On Sunday evening
the latest eastern sensation, The Fire Pa.
troll. will be produced in all of its details as
seen in it's New York presentation. on
Wednesday afternoon n benefit will be
rendered to the Newsboys' home. Miss
Nannary, the bailey company and Mana
ger Cooper contributing their services
gratis to this worthy cause. Mr.. DALEY
and Manager Cooper intend to make the
occasion bumper, and il is foregone
conclusion that every seat In the house
will bs occupied.