The herald., 1896-04-03
AT THE THEATERS

Los ANGELES THEATGR. - There is a
magic of amusement in the name of Hoyt
and his latest production, A Milk White
Flag, which was presented before a large
audience last night, fully sustains his repu'
tation as a provoker of mrth. The farce is
of the same order as A Trip to Chinatown
and his older Bunch of Keys; while it does
not develop his power as playwright as
did A Texas Steer, and descends to the
variety element. there is much bright wit
and clever construction of comic situations.
Indeed, the situations in the play are more
truly amusing than the individuals. Pri-
marily the satire of the tin soldier militia
men is delightful conceit. The Ransome
guards Jealous envy OF a rival regiment
controlled by millionaire is ludicrously
developed, and the brave colonel, retired
coal merchant. whose aim is to be
appearance. creates theomost amusing CEN
ter of the burlesque. The satire is blended
to picturesque and fantastic extravaganza.
There is much more humor in the first act
than subsequently,; the insistence of the
band at the mention of the word comrade
-'and the average brass band plays just
as we'll drunk as sober''-was but an ex-
ample of the many absurdities than con-
vulsed the audience. The second act does
not run so we'll, depending largely upon
corpse Jokes and the vulgar maehing of a
pseudo widow; nevertheless the act con-
cludes with most cleverly contrived and
ludicrous scene. Both the doughty colonel
and the real general have engaged the SER
vices of the major to serenade the widow
The same charming voice begins again be-
fore the colonel has left his Iadylove. The
third and last act is again bright through
out. and a satisfactory climax is reached.
there is a dash and brilliance throughout
the action of every member of the compa-
ny that is inspiriting and delightful. and
a mr. inf Ca6
Miss Clarsse Agnew is a very sprightly
soubrette; her imitation of child singing
was excellently done with the hoarse lower
notes and the falsetto breaks. The one
private soldier that the guards boast affords
capital opportunity for the eccentricities
and talents of Frank Lawtou, who will be
remembered as the whistline waiter in A
Trip to Chinatown. His whistiing is as
wonderfully clear and strong as ever, and
he also introduces some very clever work
with the bones, initiating the noises of a
railway train. John Marbles impersona-
ton OF the undertaken was full
OF quaint and suggestive humor. Lloyd
Wilson. as the Major, has opportunity for
displaying his good voice; his Loves Sere.
made completely captivated the audience.
The gay vivandieres of TIL, troop are
shapely and dashing, and some very en-
joyable songs and dances are introduced.
A Milk White Flag, which runs for the
the large audiences it is certain to attract.
Los ANGELES THEATER-On Tuesday.
Wednesday and Thursday nights, April
9TH, 9Th and 9th, at the Los Angeles thea
ter, will be given for the first time here,
Edwin Milton Royle's picturesque, new ro-
mantle play, Capt. Impudence. The play
comes direct from the California theatre,
San francisco. where they are at present
playing one Of the most notable engage
meuts in the history of the theatre. The
engagement there had to be extended to
three weeks, as the business was so very
large.
The story is laid in Mexico during the
war of 1S47, and the characters are Cap
tain Shields, an American officer, who, by
his dash, assurance and witty sallies, wins
for his wife the daughter of his major, a
vain, fussy, but thoroughly good-hearted
| man. The major loves his daughter dear
ly, and selfishly makes her promise not to
marry until he does. The captains strug-
gle to marry the old gentleman to a DASH
ing widow, and the majors helpless resist
ance, forms the comedy element, and the
fun grows fast and furious. The serious
element ia furnished by a young Mexican
girl, whose father was killed in battle by
the captain. but she falls in love with him,
and her jealous anger nearly causes a
tragedy. Complete scenic equipment is
Mexican and American soldiers of that
period are unusually gorgeous, as are also
the costumes of the ladies.
Friday and Saturday nights and matinee
will be devoted to an elaborate revival of
MIR. Boyle's charming comedy-drama,
Friends. in which will appear all the old
favorites.
ORPHEUM-The counter attractions had
but little effect on the size of the audience
at the Orpheum last night. People have
learned that they can always depend upon
seeing good show at that popular resort,
and it is always a show that pleases. The
bill this week includes Charles B. Ward,
the Andersons, the Rossley brothers. Dian
ta brothers, Wills and Collins, Alburtus
! and Bartrum and Frank La Mondue. To
hear Charles B. Ward in his character
songs or the Andersons in their negro
sketches is either one worth the price of
admission. The full bill will be given at
the matinee tomorrow and Sunday.
q
HAzAED's PAvILIoN-Prof. D. M. Bris-
tol, whose well.earned title, the king edu-
Gator of the brute mind, ls undisputed, will
present his school of educated horses,
ponies and mules for six evening enter
tainments at Hazards pavilion, commenc-
ing Monday evening, April 6, with matt
nees Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
To describe all that is done by Prof.
Bristol's educated horses, ponies and
mules would be impossible. 1t is only
necessary to say thai the exhibition given
| is a most wonderful one. They under
sand what ia said to them with an intelli-
gence that is almost human. In fact
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