The herald., 1897-01-03

Humanity, which has held the Doarus
at the Los Angeles theater for the past
week, is play replete with much inter-
est. being full of the sentiments that
cause mans heart to swell within him,
through pride of race and country, and
lift him, for the moment, out of the sor-
did conditions of daily life into a de-
lightful realm. where truth, honor, valor
and integrity are not mere empty
phrasess but are given supreme place in
the consideration of mankind.
Sutton Vane, the Author of Humanity
deserves much credit for the way in
which he has handled his production.
for while he has made use of almost
every situation and device familiar to
the field of lurld melodrama. yet has
he handled his material in such a way
that this fact is almost lost sight of, or
IL it is recognized the audience is too
mush interested and amused to give 1t
much attention. A second rate dramatist
may deal with entirely new subject mat
ter and make it fairly interesting,
through it's novelty alone, but it re-
quires genius to make what is deadly
familiar into a something capable Of
dTOuSlnS lHttTeSt anu tHtIuSldCIIl, anu
this Mr.. Vane has done in Humanity.
What sportsman who has loved to don
the hunting scarlet and has known the
exhiliaration of a rafting good run
across country in the wake of the elu-
sive fox, who has listened to the in
comparable melody of the hounds giving
tongue, and has enjoyed the sense OF VIC
tory consequent upon being in at the
death, or who, the excitement of the
chase over and Cupid in the ascendant,
has known the pleasure of jogging
quietly home through the beautiful
country lanes by a sweethearts side,
can fail to enjoy the emotions caused
by the hunting scene in the first act of
Humanity?
Joseph Grsmer made quite an inter-
esting fellow out of Bevis Cranbourne in
Humanity. Mr.. Grismer's acting is nat
ural and easy, and he makes his
points without any seeming desire of
letting his audience know just how hard
he is working for their benefit.
Miss Davis is an earnest little lady
and quite pleasant to look upon. Her
work is mainly characterized by a
strong desire of always giving her audi
ffro ffnSs the a gsry best af hiah
duced much to her popularity on this
coast.
c. ]. Williams as Manassas Marks.
aside from Mr.. Grlsmer, made the hit of
the piece in Humanity. The part of
Marks is a strange admixture, combin-
ing as it does all the grasping qualities
that distinguish the Hebrew money lend
er, with a kindness of heart worthy
of the most sincere Christian Mr.. Will
liams did full justice to the part rem
dering it intensely funny, and yet man
aging most skillfully to introduce the
touches of pathos intended by the au-
thor.
The Burbank management has struck
the line of plays and the manner of pre-
senting them which will continue to fill
the house. as anyone may see for him
self who visits this cosy theater and list
ems to the appliance which greets each
new production given there. The White
Squadron was particularly successful,
as all plays must be, if even fairly pre-
sented, that appeal to an Americans
love for his country. Observe the ap-
plause with which speech commend
ing American valOr, or alluding to
American supremacy, is received Wit
ness the enthusiastic reception accorded
the appearance of Old Glory; and never
doubt for a moment but that the Ameri-
can heart is loyal to it's country and is
filled with the patriotic love that makes
every son of the Stars and Stripes a
soldier whenever the safety and honor
of his country is menaced.
Patrons of the Burbank find an in
tense sense of relief from the feeling of
depression which used to overtake them
at the sight of the figure monstrosities
in fresco formerly occupying a promi-
nent place over the proscenium arch
No play, no matter how cheerful its tone,
nor how excellent the manner of its rem
dition, could quite clear away the men
tai gloom engendered by the sight of
those unfortunately proportioned fig
ures That their place knows them no
more, but is now occupied by cheerful
and artistic-looking garlands of flow
1(nAS.h- 7ALt's NEWES