The herald., 1897-12-21
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BURBANK THEATER.-The vogue
that was started by the success in San
Francisco Of The First-Born," written
by Francis Powers. has been sustained
by the production Of other plays, in which
the Chinese life and character of this
coast have formed the theme. Among
these plays is one called "a Celestial
Maiden" which was given last night,
being the first representation here of
play of that distinctive character. These
dramas have not been entirely success
full in the east, for the reason that the
public there Is not acquainted with the
characteristics of Chinese life as it
may be seen any day in San Francisco
Manager Pearson deserves much cred
it for being the first to give the Los An
geles public an opportunity to witness
this particular form of the drama. The
curiosity about 1t has been widespread,
as was evidenced by the large attend
ance last night, and it was very evil
dent that the appreciation of the per-
formance was as sincere as 1t was eff
fusive.
"A Celestial Maiden" is divided into
three acts, presenting respectively a
street In Chinatown, joss house and
the interior Of an underground opium
den. The story has to do with high
binders, who, under the direction of
Charles Hallock, as Ii Ching, try to
compass the destruction of Guy Post,
as Chon Yet, and the capture of his be-
| trothed. Kim Soy, otherwise Miss Truax.
There are others. as, for instance,
Clarence Arper, who Is Tie 10y, a for
tune teller, and good one, too. Harry
F.. Adams, as usual, never fails to ex-
tract some fun out of his part, and was
roundly applauded. Maurice O'Connor,
Charles p. Clary and x. Mcleod were
successful In their Chinese characters,
while Thomas Bates, who was a rather
unfunny Irish policeman Of the familiar
type, was occupied as stage manager in
keeping the action going.
AS the Celestial maiden, Miss Truax
was quite bewitching in her trousered
costume and somewhat Caucasian make
up. Helen Henry, as the Chinese dance
girl, was as sweet as usual, and Ouida
Marion made a very presentable Chi
nese maiden, unattached.
1t Is no slight task to require Of a
company of players that they shall in
dividually make a transformation so
complete as Is involved in the changing
from the American to the Mongolian
type, the change being shown not only
in costume and makeup but In the ac-
tion and relations Of the persons con-
cerned. That the Burbank people were
successful Is the least that can be said.
Mr.. Hallock was particularly good as
the villain of the drama. Mr.. Posts
makeup was not quite so good, but his
acting was to the point and brought
down several rounds Of applause.
The play is not great one, and the
language In which the Chinese ladies
and gentlemen are forced to talk is
stilted, to say the least. In fact, the die
tion Of "The Lady Of Lyons" is not in the
running with it. Nevertheless, the ac-
tors handle the dialogue very we'll and
make the Mongolian atmosphere predom-
inant.
The play was extremely well received
and there is every promise Of fine
weeks business for the house.
+ r.
LOS ANGELES THEATER.-"Ole
Osens" second and concluding perform
ance was given last night, notice Of
which has already appeared at length
in these columns.
The Fontanas begin their hypnotic ex-
hibition tonight.
ORPHEUM-Paulin and Piquo,
character gymnasts, were the star at
traction at the Orpheum last night
Their work on the horizontal bar has
never been surpassed here; 1t is clean,
neat, and exceptionally clever. Both ap-
pear In faultless evening dress; each
energies therefrom In an unconventional
manner, and both proceed in the conven-
tional tights to their acrobatic and gym
nastic feats.
The other new turn this week is a
Chanteuse eccentrique, Mile, Pepita
Delara. Mile. Pepita is emphatically
French as to accent and clothes; she
uses her voice with a distinct French
method. but her songs seem not to be
"Frenchy" either in sentiment nor in
the way they are delivered. They are
apparently innocuous, and the singer is
far less suggestive in manner than are
many Americans Of the same genus.
The rest of the bill is almost counter
part Of last week. Stanley and Jack
son, except for couple Of new songs, do
Sato. with his juggling; "Doc." Edson
with his clever tricks, and Fred Brown
with his nimble feet, all repeat their sue
cesses.
The Clemence trio appear this week
with slightly abbreviated skirts, and
sing solos, duets and trios. In her solo
last night Miss CAMS voice was ade-
quately heard for the first time, and
sounded more as it did on her previous
visit, when she made most agreeable
impression. Rose" also has a particu-
larly good mezzo soprano, with a de-
licious quality in ensemble as we'll as
solo work.
Several new views were put on in the
biograph, all interesting, and the
shooting Of the chutes" was greeted
with wild enthusiasm, as was the "cav-
airy charge" The house was filled as
usual; the orchestra played some es-
pecially pretty numbers, and the bill will
60 all the week with a special matinee on
Christmas day, as we'll as Wednesday
and Sunday
California at the Capital
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator
WHITE fa1oxy ipt n bil1