The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-08
I JoRN DREW
IN ROSEMARY
} BALDWIN rHeATR5

For weeks past an awe-inspiring mys-
terry has shrouded Francis Powers new
play, TURK Meets Greek" Mr.. Powers
! had nothing TO say for publication, the
management had nothing to say for pub
LEGATION, 10 one had anything to say for
publication. OF course a few facts about
the play leaked out, because whenever
two or three bakers dozens of people are
gathered together to rehearse a produc-
tion q few of them ara bound to talk.
But the babblers at the Alcazar spoke OF
''Turk Meets Greek" in whispers, ready to
change the conversation hurriedIy if the
ac;or-author doomed up within earshot.
The reason for all this mystery was that
Francis Powers. like Ada Rehan and
Elenora Duse, forswore the interviewer
when he became famous He went these
distinguished women one better, how
ever for he wished that his play should
be as jealously guarded from the insidi-
Gus reportorial presence as ne guarded
himself.
The fortunate author of "The First
Born" like Lord Byron woke up one
morning to find himself famous. On
Tuesday morning Powers will wake to
End his fame increased and multiplied if
the Alcazar press agent has not been in
dulging in the only infirmity of his fra
Notwithstanding the long bow, for at last
the press and public have been enlight-
ened. Turk Meets Greek" is no longer
shrouded in mystery; the press agent has
spoken, and in no uncertain terms He
informs US that: 1.-THE treatment of the
play is original, the argument forcegul,
al and ba
scenery and properties historically ac-
curate." 1t leaked out weeks ago that the
scenes OF "Turk Meets Greek" were all to
be laid in Greece and Turkey during the
present year of grace, now it transpires
that half the time the actors are TO be
Turks and half the time Greeks, which
must cost the management something in
wardrobes and millinery. Powers, not
having a kind Mahatma TO watt his as
trail body to the scenes of conflict has &C
quired his atmosphere and local Greek
coloring by the perusal OF newspaper &C.
counts of the Greco-Turkish battles. He
has also ''delved deep into Grecian lore, !"
and the result is summed up by the gen
tleman who does the press work for the
Alcazar in these modest words: There
is enough of the history of the two coun-
tries interviewer in the play to attract the
attention OF scholars; sufficient romance
TO interest the romantic; enough yiilainy
TO arouse the sympathies; plenty OF
pathos to touch the soft chords of the ten
der-hearted; enough of the picturesque,
beautiful grouping and admirable scenery
to inspire children with deep interest"
No wonder "Turk Meets Greek" was
jealousIy guarded from the reportorial pen.
What mere reporter could have touched
it up in the above style? THE tender
hearted. F" with soft chords to be touched,
should not forget to provide themselves
with a few extra pocket handkercniefs
tom borrow, for manifestly it will be case
OF "If ye have tears, prepare to shed them
now"
Rosemary is a pretty idyllic sort OF
play and the cast is satisfactory. but one
misses the winsome presence OF Maude
Adams from John Drew's company On
the 18Th of next month Miss Adams is to
open in Washington as star on her own
account, probably in an adaptation by }.
M. Barrie OF his popular story, "The Lit
tie Minister" A bogus performance oil
the play, for copyright purposes, was re-
Gently given at the Haymarket Theater,
London, and to keep out the curious
guineas admission fee was charged. Bar
RE himself, who is the smallest-sized oil
Dig noveiists, doubled the parts OF Lord
Rintoul aud Snecky Hobart. Richard
Harding Davis represented Captain Haili-