The herald., 1897-03-23
81 AT THE THEATERS
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BURBANK.-Continuing the lead so
profitably struck last week in the line
Of modern comedy. Manager Pearson
has revived another up-to-date produc-
ton, which. while 1t is not entirely new
to the average play-goer. is yet as anus
ing as any piece of the kind that has been
here for long time.
"All the Comforts of Home" is a cap
ital farce comedy, in four short, breezy
acts, and laughable surprise in each
Of them. The cast Is big one, the ac-
tion Is rapid, and the piece is, on account
OF its construction. very hard upon the
performers. That it went so well last
night is therefore a matter of con-
graduation to the direction.
Harry Corson Clarke, in the character
Of Theodore Bender, of course monop-
olixed the attention of the audience.
This portrayal of the elderly, henpecked
husband, In whom the fires of youth are
not yet extinct and who considers the
meeting with real live actress and
the opportunity for Irritation with her
to be the highest attainable earthly
bliss, was extremely funny, and kept
the audience in a continued flow of mer-
riment. Mr.. Clarke's power of facial
expression is uncommonly fine, and
stamps him as a genuine artist. He
has a striking face, with handsome
profile, and his skill in makeup en-
hances in no small degree the character
istics Of the individual he undertakes to
personate. Added to these advantages
he is always under perfect control. and
refrains from indulging in the extrava-
gauces for which the part affords. .consid-
cradle temptation.
Next to Mr.. Clarke the weight of the
performance falls upon Mr.. Montser-
ret as the scapegrace nephew, Alfred
Hastings, a character requiring the
iightness Of touch of Charles Mathews.
Henry Miller, the original Of the char
acter in this country. was inexcusably
heavy in its personation, and Mr.. Mont
serret Ras some of the same defect, al
though upon an increased familiarity
with his lines he will doubtless improve.
Mr.. Tjader and Mr.. McGregor each
overdrew the peculiarities of the char
acters they assumed. and may tone them
down to advantage. Mr.. Tjader's make
up was very clever. Mr. Bronson was
at home as Tom McAdew, and helped to
keep the action going at a lively rate. I.
The part of Fiji Oritanski. a French
comic opera singer of the most rapid
kind, with a knowledge of her art. add
ed to an ability for working the amorous
bald-headed contingent or the 'front.' row.
was taken by Gertrude Foster. Miss
Fosters abilities lie more in the emo
tional line. and her portrayal of a chic
young woman of the comic opera pro-
fession, while it showed talent of an al
most unsuspected kind, suffered prin-
cipally from the lack of abandon with
which It was played. There is no rea-
son, however. why. with added practice,
this clever young actress should not
come closer to the life in her delineation.
As 1t was, she was the recipient Of hearty
applause. which should encourage her
to further effort
The Evangeline of Mrs. Pearson was
stunningly dressed, and was played with
all the sentimentality that the part re-
quires. The other characters were well
supported. and for = first presentation
the piece went smoothly. 1t will hold the
boards for the remainder OF the week
and is a sure laugh-maker for all who
attend.
ORPHEUM.-The management of this
house will this week inaugurate change
in the presentation of its usual weekly
bill. which. instead of going into effect
Monday, as heretofore. will be made on
Tuesday beginning this evening. The
company tonight is made up of the