The herald., 1897-09-17
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E AT THE .THEATERS !: s
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Heart of Maryland" continues to at
tract large audiences, which is not to be
wondered at, there being quite enough
material in the play to justify a re-
peated visit. Indeed 1t is next to i'm
possible to appreciate all the good
things of the setting, the multiplicity Of
detail that has been SO carefully at
tended to in the mounting and Co.'S
tuning, without at least second oppor-
tunity is taken TO witness the perform
ance. Neither has the ordinary play
goer any idea of the infinite amount of
pains required at rehearsal, of the small
details as we'll as of the large effects of
play Of this kind. For instance, a
wounded soldier falls dead; four men
are called in to carry him off the stage.
A blanket is brought and the dead
body of the spy Is cast into it with ap-
parent carelessness and the men walk
off with it indifferently, the CHASTITY
head hanging out of the covering and
dangling in horrible fashion as they go.
This is realism obtained at the cost of
labored rehearsal some imagination
and unlimited patience.
The old deaf sexton in the third act
is quite clever character bit as acted
by ]. H. Hazelton, mention of whose
work was unintentionally omitted in the
first notice of the play. Frank Nor
daunt improves on further acquaintance
in his character of the Roman Father
adapted to nineteenth century code Of
honor. Mr.. Wilson is politely cor
rect and at the proper time essays to
become almost intense in his scene on
the way to execution. He goes so far
in this effort as to slightly rumple his
hair, which in the preceding act had
been arranged with almost exasperating
neatness. But he looks the part bet
ter, it is said, than either Barrymore or
Kelcey, who preceded him in it. What
he lacks is force.
Theodore Roberts has all the best of
it on the mems side of the cast. His
physique and power of facial expression.
not to mention the harsh strident tones
of voice finely adapted to the char
acter, help to make his portrayal of the
villain an admirable one.
AS for Mrs. Leslie Carter, her per-
formance grows III interest with each
rendition Of the play, and the astonish-
ment before expressed in these columns
is intensified at the ability she exhibits
in supporting the strain of so severe a
task as that involved in the part of
Maryland Calvert. Not only the nerv-
GUS strain, but the severe physical ex-
ertion almost in the same moment, of
mounting the long belfry stairs and
swinging to and fro like trapezist in
mid air from the iron tongue Of the
old church bell. Some few people have
kI1N ;r;N A1ok ,1,,f; -,
is provided for Mrs Carter in this
swinging act, the task appearing beyond
her physical powers. 1t may be taken
for granted however, that the plucky
actress not only does this act in her own
person. but it is stated on ceptionab Bile
authority that she has never once failed
so to do it, and in fact resents the idea
of palming off any imposition on the
public. But beyond this physical tour
de force the ability she displays in the
principal scenes Of the second and third
acts, stamps her performance as the
work of an artist who has received hei
inspiration from native born genius, and
whose acquaintance with the technic o1
the theater has been grated on by pa
tent study and competent instruction
The season closes with tomorrow
nights performance. There will be a
matinee tomorrow.
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BURBANK THEATER.-The melo-
drama, 1.-The Inside Track" pleases
large audiences nightly. Oracle Plas-
ted. Katie Pearson, Tjader, McGregor
and that sterling actor, James NJ. Ward,
with thSregular stock company, handle
the play with smoothness and bring out
all it's effects. The piece will be given
at the matinee tomorrow as we'll as at
the evening performance.
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ORPHEUM.--The vaudeville enter
tainment continues to attract. The two
new singers are great feature in the
bill, their voices blending harmoniously
The program bills them as Leslie and
Cam, but affords no clue to a stranger
as to which is which. AS they both sing
charmirgly and as one is pretty
blonde and the other fascinating bru-
nette, the public may pay its money and
take it's choice.
The strong woman and the cat and
dog exhibition obtain great applause.
The Nichols sisters, in white all over
are worth going miles to see and hear.
The rest of the bill is good as usual.