The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-19


The most important event in theatrical
circles that has happened on this coast
since Mr.. Frohman announced, on be-
half Of his syndicate. that the Pacific
Coast was to be left to perish for want
Of dramatic attractions Of the first class,
ID the move made by Messrs. Friedland-
err. Gottloeb & Co. in obtaining control of
the Baldwin, California and Columbia
theaters In San Francisco and Of the
Macdonough theater in Oakland. This
important change. following upon Al.
Heymann's retirement from the coast,
after having shaken the dust Of San
Francisco from his brogans, Is, perhaps.
the best thing that could happen for
theater-goers who like to see all the good
things that are travelling to be seen. AS
for the syndicate with fifty theaters
under its control, 1t will have hard work
to keep the public satisfied unless 1t
mends its practices in certain import
ant respects. The public cannot be
gulled all of the time, and 1t will not
pay to advertise New York attractions on
the road to the effect that they are pre-
cisely the same in scenery, costumes and
company as were seen in the metropolis.
during the $50 nights-really 150- Of their
run. During the past week I'm Gay
New York." a syndicate show, has been
given. with surprising adherence to the
promises made by the advance agent.
When such q fact becomes known 1t
should be stated and due credit given for
the exception made to the heretofore
general rule.
The idea among these eastern manag-
ers. and they are supported to a certain
extent by some foolish people here, is
that the public ought to fall on its
knees and be grateful for whatever
crumbs of comfort may be sent in the
shape of eastern productions, which we
may be allowed to see, as through q
dark glass-veiling their deficiencies
from view. The attempt to speak criti-
cally Of any production that comes with
an eastern Endorsement is considered
the height of ingratitude: even the
mildest suggestion of inferiority in any
degree is instantly bounced upon by an
angry manager and denominatcd, in the
classic dlction OF the box office, as "a
roast" of the whole show
There Is proverb anent the impos-
sibility Of manufacturing silk purse
out of the auricular appendagc Of por-
cine quadruped Of the feminine gender.
1t Is equally impossible to inspire theat-
rical managers with a thorough respect
for the greatness OF truth, or even to
make them sec the fact that in the long
run the public will appreciate most the
newspapers in which may be found a
dispassionate judgment upon the at
fractions which 1t Is asked to pay out
Its money to see.
Alphonse Daudet's death, which &C.
Cured at Paris on the 10th inst, re-
moves one OF the most prominent and in
teresting litterateurs from French So
ciety. Although not an academician.
Daudet's fame as playwright and nov
elist will last long after the memory Of
some members of the charmed circle ia
forgotten. His plays were not particu-
larly successful. as they depended more
upon their literary quality than they did
on their adaptation to the stage. AS a
novelist Daudet was remarkable for the
charming simplicity and freshness of his
style. His "Froment Jeune ct Risler
aine" is an intensely interesting work
and his best. while his novels, THE Ma
bob" Kings in Exile" and "Numa Rou-
mestan" are excellent examples of his
powerful command of satire and char
acter drawing. He immortalized his
"Tartarin" and even in books like
"Sapho" and Jack" he showed a deli
cacy of treatment in dealing with SUBJ
jects ordinarily tabooed, that won him
thousands Of admirers.
+ = =
Minnie Madden Tiske continues her
successful presentation of "Tess of the
D'Urbervilles," and made a hit in Gin
cinnati. where the receipts for the week
were $S140.25. This was the more re-
markable as owing to Mrs. Fiske's op-
position to the theatrical trust she will
not play at theaters under their control.
Her appearance was therefore made at
q vaudeville house, the prices being
raised for the occasion. The success of
the engagement, in the opinion of the
Mirror. demonstrates once more that the
public Is drawn by the attraction and
not by any particular theater in which
the attraction is presented.
Augustus Thomas version of 1.-THE
Jucklins" received it's initial perform
ance on the 10th inst at the Tabor thea
ter. Denver. It's reception was pleasing
In every way, and Stuart Robson will
make It the feature of his repertoire.
Originally the play was taken from a
novel by Opie Reid, but did not suit
According to local opinion, Mr.. Thomas
has rewritten it with skill.
The Frawley company has safely re-
turned from Hawaii. Incidentally the
manager says that the financial result
" his season Mt the Islands was ex-
:remely satisfactory. Harry Corson