The herald., 1896-06-30
AT THE THEATERS

THE ORPHEUM.-The flamboyant
optimism of the program is almost in
variably couched in such grandiloquent
terms that it Is impossible to reconcile
them with the plain reality of perform
ance, but for once an exception has been
proven to this well established rule. The
sensational adjectives which have been
plentifully applied to the unique per-
formance of Papinta fall far short of the
actual spectacular magnificence of her
stage work. Certainly this was the
verdict of the big audience at this house
last night, for no such splendor of color.
and grace and symmetry of motion has
ever been seen on the local boards. A
beautiful woman, whose shapely con-
tours were enveloped in the bewildering
prismatic hues of the rainbow-the deft
production of multicolored electric
lights and mirrorS-fairly raised that
vast audience to the pinnacle of en-
thusiasm. Papinta seemed to be bathed
IN the glories of living fire, and the un-
dulating waves of flashing luminous
color, accented with a wonderful eclat
the Sensuous measures of her graceful
dancing All of the artistic work of LIE
Loie Fuller. which enchanted the blase
boulevarders of gay Paris, was charm
ingly exploited, and there was added
much that was new, startling and orig
inal With the house in full darkness.
suddenly Papinta, cleaning and glorious
in wild. ecstasy Of color, flashed before
the dazzled eyes of her auditors. who
were startled by a succession of living
rainbows that erstwhile changed into the
gorgeous SplendorS of vision OF tropic
morn. Nothing more unique and bead
tiful could be conceived in the exuberant
fancy of hasheesh dreamer. Then
came brilliant presentment of flowers
and butterflies and finally the portraits
of leading American statesmen were dis
closed in daring whirl of white shapeiy
arms. legs. and flowing draperies, and
the audience fairly went wild
Other notable features were the acts
of Lawrence and Harrin gton, the clever
Washburn sisters. Bimbo and Tehi, Me-
Avoy and May. the Meers brothers, and
the sprightly and mirth-provoking Liz
Zie Raymond. 1t is the greatest bill the
Orpheum management has yet present.
ed, and there will not be a vacant seat
in the house this week
LOS ANGELES THEATER,-John
Drew's gifts come to him by right
of inheritance, but to them he has
brought a conscientious desire for con-
tinued advancement, a bent of mind
which tells him that art is long and ever
polish and grace of address, breadth of
thought, and, perhaps above all, a con-
tempt for those tricks of the stage which
obtain a meretricious individual popu-
larity as f1eeting and evanescent as it
is dangerous to the practical longevity
of true dramatic art. That is why play
makers like Carton, Carleton and Mrs
Ryley love to write for him. and it is
fact that there are more plays written
around" John Drew than either he or
his manager, Charles Frohman, could
read in an ordinary lifetime. And that
is the reason why his position is so as
sured and his success so continually en-
hanced. He comes to us tonight, when
he and his really splendid company will
open at the Los Angeles theater in Mad
elaine Lucette Ryley's Christopher Jr.,
repeating that play the next two nights,
and giving US r. c. Cartons The Squire
of Danes Friday night and Saturday
matinee and night. Manager Wyatt is
delighted with the heavy advance seat
sale.