The herald., 1896-09-01
AT THE THEATERS

THE ORPHEUM.-One of the largest
audiences of the season gathered in this
popular house last evening, and were
entertained by superb coterie of vaude
VILE attractions, several of the features
having a worldwide fame AS matter
of fact. the play going public of Los An
geles is under obligations for the su-
perb line of vaudeville attractions he
is weekly presenting for it's delectation.
comprising as they do, the best talent
that can be procured Certainly the big
audience at the opening night for the
week was an enthusiastic testimonial
to the sterling merit of the current weeks s
bill.
The opening act of Bellman and Moore
was most telling combination of good
singing and clever dancing. These ar
lists have made a splendid impression
with the patrons of the Orpheum Miss
Lillian Mason was also big card, with
her excellent character songs, and Of
course the return of the favortes, Gil
bert and Goldie, called Sr rousing re-
ception from all parts of the house. This
pair of typical delineators of Irish char
acter are as funny as of yore, and We're
repeatedly encored.
Then came the sensational event of
the evening, the first appearance here
of the famous European celebrity, who
IOI SEVERAL WeehS has u IuTOTc
i'll San Francisco. There is no question,
from his wonderful work last night that
Biondi is the greatest Transformation
artist now before the public. After open
ing with popular Neapolitan song, he
gave an imitation of music lesson
and presented both teacher and pupil
But the piece de resistance was his pre-
sentation of tragic and domestic mu-
sical comedy in which this marvellous
Protean Italian assumed five different
roles, and the changes were so quickly
made that it seemed almost impossible
to realize that it is all the work of one
clever young man. The audience was
reused to the highest pitch of enthusi-
aSm, and there is no question but that
Biondi alone will pack the Orpheum this
week.
The bill closed with the remarkable
fun making feats of control by Prof.
Kennedy. who today is recognized as
the greatest hypnotist who has yet ap-
peared on the stage. The queer actions
OF a stage full of young men under the
control of Prof. Kennedy's strange DOW
er kept the large audience convulsed
with laughter The standing room sign
Will be in use again a t the Orpbeum this
week.
LOS ANGELES THEATER-Chaun-
cey Olcott who Is now one of the most
'o%SNooiti claI D III Tie uGdTndClc Irma-
ment, and the acknowledged represent
ative of young IriAh romantic comedy
roles was born in this country of Irish
parents and inherits from them, no
doubt, that keen appreciation of the
Irish character and native wit which has
enabled him to achieve such marked
success in his chosen field of dramatic
work.
He certainly possesses all the re-
quirements for depicting the many
lights and shades of the Irish hero His
| personality Is. pleasing, and from the
| first appearahce on the stage he not
only wins, but captivates his audience
He is possessed of remarkable swee,
and highly cultivated tenor voice, and
| his singing, of his own songs introduced
in his plays never fails to charm the
hearers. His success is not confined
to his native land. Four years ago he
went to London where, at first, he found
| some difficulty in obtaining a hearing
| This once secured, he soon became q
| favorte. Few American artists have
received the praise from the English
press accorded to Mr.. Olcott, nor has
the American press been slow to appre-
ciate and acknowledge his talents as
an actor and singer. Mr.. Olcott and his
| clever company opens tonight at the
Los Angeles theater in that beautiful
Irish idyl, Mavourneen.