The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-08
The New Curtain : Raiser
Proves a Pretty Pro-
duction.
Sensational Scenes in " The
Cotton King" at the Column
bia Theater.
Alabama" at the A cazar i Som
Clever Animal Speciaities at
the 0rpheum.

Two new plays were presented by the
Wilton Lackaye company at the Baldwin
Theatsr last night. The curtaln-raiser,
"holiere.V by Walter Firth. was played
for the first time in America, and made a
very favorable impression. Captain Bob,
acted last night for the first time on any
stage, was denominated q comedy-drama.
1t did not take the fancy Of the public as
the little curtain-raiser mad done.
The author OF "Moliere" had touching
theme to 60 upon IN the story of the great
French playwright's end. It is matter
Of history that he played when he should
have been on his deathbed, in order that
his poor comedians should not be disap-
DO nted OF their pittance, and that his
heart was weIlnigh broken by the tickle
ness and neglect OF the beautiful eoquette
whom be had married.
On this basis Walter Firth has written
very effective little drama, which may
owe some of its inspiration to the plot of
81 Pagliacci, " bat which is mainly o.igi-
nal. Moliere, in a dying condition, is
brought home from that famous last ap-
pearance of his. He and his wife have
not spoken for weeks except on the stage,
and she refusing to believe that he is
diving, is going 10 sup with a butterfly
Marquis from Louis XV's court.
Mohere, who longs to have her near him
in his last moments, tells the Marquis
that he wishes 10 declaim a scene from
the new comedy. He himself will play
the part OF an elderly farm whose young
wife is false to him. The fair Armand Mo-
liere shall be the wife and he be the
Marquis to play the little role of the lover
Armande enters gayly into the plot, and
the MARQUIS, being distinguished diet
tamil, eondescends TO pose and say a few
words. At first the fun is fast and furious,
but gradually it dawns on Armande that
her husband is not acting, and she shrinks
back In horror at the words of fierce re-
proach that Moliere addresses to the gay
lover. Smitten with remorse, she lets the
Marquis sup alone that evening, and on
her knees makes her peace with her hus-
band Just as he dies.
Lackaye gave a most interesting and
intelligent rendering of Moliere's role.
The qua ity OF pathos is not this actors
strong point, but his Moliere was a care
full character study, the comedy scene was
cleverly grotesqGe and there was most
convincing earnestness in the serious
passages. Miss Marie Wainwright was
the coquettish play actress Armande 10
the liie and Byron Douglas was clever as
the foppish Marquis. The staging of
MOIeFe was artistic IN the extreme.
Captain Bob" By Robert Drouet, was
quite another sort of play. 1t was de-
scribed as comedy, but il more resem-
bled mild melodrama. The scene was
laid in Virginia, but the only local color
ing lay in some people OF color, Joseph
Alien playing the part Of an old nurse
very humorously. Captain Bob" has
betrayed oamsel, who begs the villain to
be tru 10 his VOWS, and when he refuses
tries to drown herself.
The same villain wishes TO marry the
ingenue heroine, and if one may be per-
mitted 10 say it OF so pretty an actress,
Miss wright was no young and in
genuous enough for the heroine's role-it
was too fro;hy for her. As Captain Bob,
the gentleman who smoothed out the
difficulties in every ones path, Wilton
Lackaye had congenial role which en-
deared MIN to the audience. The dramais
persona generally in Captain Bob"
should restrain their ardor in the sla b.
ing Of riding-whips. Even in hunting
countries people do not go through life
nicking whiDs