The herald., 1897-08-15

no doubt goes far TOWARDS accounting
for It's popularity, and that Is its con-
etantly changing character. MOT only
does the program for each performance
contain variety, but there is constant
succession of new faces the most popu-
lar perforrner seldom remaining longer |
than two weeks in a city of this Size
The public in search of amusement ca
| Eerly patronize the houses which fur-
,1aash the desired pabulum-according to
a diversified bill of fare. The patrons
of vaudeville number people of all
classes and these houses are unfailingly
supported by the gallery element which
includes a large number of people who.
while they lack education are none the
less susceptible to the influence Of music
and liable to be governed by the teach
ings of the stage set before them.
With these facts admitted. 1t is cas-
lily seen that the influence of the vaude-
vile stage Is an important one: it
reaches thousands who are beyond the
control Of any other educating power.
1t Is here that the popular songs, new
AuQ Olup dIC Tightly SdASp SoihSeihASo
by the character artist" sometimes
without any theatrical disguise, but al
ways to the great enjoyment Of the
house. The other numbers on the pro-
gram excite their share of interest, the
juggler, the contortionist, the acrobat,
the animal trainer and number Of 9TH
ers, but the largest measure of applause
IL always given to the performer who
can sing. Sometimes the song is good
one and sometimes it is of the kind that
should be suppressed, but to give the
vaudeville managers their due, they are
generally shrewd enough to see that the
license of singer must be restricted
If the patronage of decent people is de-
sired. A case of this kind occurred last
week at the Orpheum, but it was prompt
ly dealt with and the offense was not re-
peated
The best entertainment of the popular
song order that has been given on the To-
cal stage for many a long day has been
furnished by the sprightly little artist,
Imogene Conner, during the past two
weeks at the Orpheum.
am one of those who believe that II
the people who deory the stage would
give their time to helping it along and
~fare,,r, as ase,a1f9e35 ssu-tareu, can never
achieve. Any one who may have wit
messed the rapt attention and listened to
the stormy applause that has greeted the
efforts of the young singer above named
would have no difficulty in realizing the
deep impression made, and, how impor-
tant it might be that such an impression
should be in the line of good morals.
And 1t is gratifying to record that Miss
Comer's work is entirely ON that excel
lent plane.
1t Is true that her songs are, many of
them, permeated with cheap sentiment
tality, and that bathos, not pathos, char
acterizes their climax, but again she has
songs that have true ring, that tell of
courage, devotion, self sacrifice and all
the household virtues. To everything
she imparts dramatic fire in voice and
gesture that gives characte to the slight
est word and vivdness to every action.
Added to these qualities of life and en-
ergy she has voice of remarkable range
and power, her low notes being wonder
fully full and deep. 1t is proof of her
cleverness that she is' able to dispense
with theatrical ddsguises and depends
upon her own dramatic and vocal DOW
ers for producing the desired effects. 1
regard it as rather a curious fact in
view of the popularity of Miss Comer's
work and the high salary it commands
that she has not more rivals in so prof
liable a field.
julius Cahn's Official Theater Guide
for 1898 is received. 1t is quite large
volume, containing 1855 pages, and is
brim full of information of the leading
theaters and attractions in America. The
statistics and other details given afford,
all the desired particulars that could
possibly be required; the popula ton of
every city and town, the names of the
theaters and their managers, the names
OF the newspapers, also of the hotels,
with their rates, the size of the theaters,
their seating capacity and stage dimen-
slons, with quantity of other details
100 numerous to mention. The book is
nicely illustrated with engravings and
maps.
+ + +
Mr.. Arthur Macdonald Dole of Po-
mona sends to The Herald. his need of
poetic adulation of Romeo Skinner. !
which will be found ir another column.
I would like to receive some of similar
effusions. Has any one aught to saw of
Mary Mannering's charms, and if the
memory Of these be irsdistinct there
may come an opportunity for induleing
in meter when the beautiful Isabel Irv-
ing appears this week in the company of |
the good and pious Johr Drew
y 4 \
Ar eastern paper says: 'Jessie Cou-
thoui, the reader, who was at Keith's
last week, has decided to abandon the
platform and remain in vaudeville She
has played many successful engage
ments in the Y. M. C. A. circuit, but will