The herald., 1898-01-01
! AT THE THEATER /.
E.tst.Ss.t.tSt.5s.5ss5..is.S.T|.

| LOS ANGELES THEATER.-The
| ficklenessi of the Los Angeles public in
| the support Of the drama is by this time
n weli-established fact, but one thing
can always be reckoned upon with cer-
| tainty, which Is, that nonsense show
Of Hoytian manufacture will invariably
draw large attendance. This was the
case last night. when "A Milk White
Flag" was presented to one of the biggest
houses Of the season.
The piece has been seen here before
but, except in the case of some of the
costumes. 1t shows no signs Of wear. The
specialties, which keep such affairs alive
were all well done and some of them were
excellent.
The satire upon the home soldiery, with
It's love of uniforms, titles and decora-
tions, parade and brass bands, Is just as
clever as ever, and even the imputation
of cowardice, which is carried through
the three acts and finds its climax in the
presentation of the white flag to the
regiment, Is tolerated good-naturedly by
the audience, and always has been
laughed at, although 1t is pretty deep
cut.
The element of incongruity is recog-
nized as the chief moving cause of
laughter; therefore, in treating of death,
corpses, collins, undertakers and burials,
all in comic way, the Hoyt play is a
huge success. The audience laughed to
its hearts content last night, and, really,
when once reconciled to the peculiarly
ghastly nature of the topic chosen. 1t
was easy to laugh at jokes upon "stiffs''
on Ice, and even to cackle at the con-
cluding joke on the militia, that, as their
supposed corpse had turned out to be
alive, they should celebrate the discov-
cry by a grand resurrection ball."
Lansing Rowan, as the widow, looked
charmingly and gave all the Importance
to her part that it demanded. Mary
Marble. as the juvenile daughter of the
widow, did some capital baby specialties
and likewise some Of the dude music hall
songs. She Is clever little actress and
full of life. Her acts in the show keep it
going.
The men in the company are all up to
a fair average, and some of them are
much better. Altogether, it is a we'll
balanced company for the purpose in
tended and makes a few hours go very
pleasantly. The girls are numerous,
shapely, and inclined, whenever the
principals will let them, to take part
in the proceedings with right good will.
The piece will be repeated at the mat
inee today and again at night.
Louis. James on Sunday night in
"Othello."
y \
& BURBANK THEATER.-Last night
the Sam T. Shaw company changed its
bill to Shadows Of a Great City" The
change was not all that could be de-
sired. The action of the mefodrama was
slow. and the players failed to arouse
the sympathies Of their audience to any
great extent through five long acts. The
scenes In the piece are laid in and about
New York.. and include, among others,
a pawnbroker's shop and the prison on
Blackwell's island.
Sam T. Shaw made manly sailor, but
did not make the decided hit in this part
that he did earlier in the week. AL. H.
Hallett made 9. good Jew, and w. H. de
Vaul made a sufficiently tough" part
out of the sneak thief. If H. w. Gilbert
would strive for clearer articulation, a
better idea of his conception of his part
might be gained. Birdie de Vaul made a
pretty and effective Helen Standish and
w0n4he sympathy Of her auditors in her
defense of her lover. As Biddy Roman,
Nellie Maine Shaw made the hit of the
evening. She is the spark that keeps alive
the fire Of the piece. The balance Of the
cast was conscientiously filled. "Shad-
ows of Great City" will be repeated to-
night and tomorrow, with the usual
matinee.