The record-union., 1898-12-06
THE DRAMATIC OUTLOOK.
WHAT THE BURNING OF THE
BALDWIN THEATER MEANS.
Not a Very Promising Outlook for
Fine Dramatic Enter
ments.

Especial Correspondence Record-Union)
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6.-When
Charles Frohman announced year
ago that he intended to sidetrack San
Francisco and send none of his compa-
MES to California because the tickle
public refused to give him, sufficient
financial support and persisted in pat
ronizing the performances of second
rate stock companies, the dramatic out
look was especially. gloomy. Inasmuch as
the theatrical trust, with Frohman and
Hayman at it's head, controlled nearly
every attraction worth seeing, specula-
ton was rife as to how California would
be amused. But when those enterpris-
ing managers, Messrs. Friedlander,
Gottlob & Co. succeeded Hayman as
lessees of the Baldwin and California
Theater and the Macdonough Theater
of Oakland, people took heart again
For, despite the fact that we were oc-
casionally treated to real, first-class
attraction under the Hayman regime,
the San Francisco public looked to the
Frawley Company at the Columbia The
alter for their weekly amusement and
they could be sure of a well-staged, in
telligent performance of more than or
ddnary merit. Everything looked pros
porous for Messrs. Friedlander, Gott-
lob & Co.
This season, however, has been one
succession of misfortunes for them. The
Frawley Company shorn of its great
est avorites-Blanche Bates, Frank
Worthing and Gladys Wallis-has had
but a mediocre success.
Madeleine Button, the leading lady,
was a handsome, tall, imperious beau
ty but suited only to society comedies
where her bright, sarcastic, affected,
cold style showed to advantage. In
emotional work she was a fat failure.
Her sickness, which forced her to leave
the stage, was the first catastrophe of
the company. Then began petty quar-
rels among the actresses of which
were twisted, exaggerated and made
sensational by the dailies-and to cap
the climax, when the company was in
Los Angeles Edward Bell, the leading
man, spoiled the first performance on
this coast of Edward Roses "An Enc
my to the King" by appearing on the
stage, it is alleged, in an intoxicated
condition and making the play more of
a burlesque than a strong, romantic
drama.
During most of this time the Bald
win and California Theaters remained
closed. The managers published elab-
crate lists of attractions for the COM
ing season, and even announced that
Charles F'rohman had relented of his
rash decision to drop San Francisco
from his theatrical list and would send
out Henry Miller, William Gillette and
Maud Adams in their great successes.
Every one was happy; the enterprising
managers were lauded; Frohman him.
self was praised and San Francisco
waited expectantly for the season to
begin.
Amid a flare of trumpets and a per-
feet halo of gorgeous bill posters Henry
Miller opened his engagement in
"Heartsease'' and the famished theater-
goers patronized him liberally. The
acting was excellent, the scenery elab-
crate and when he followed this with
superb productions of "The Master
and "A Marriage of Convenience" peo-
Pile said Il told you so. Friedlander,
Gottlob & Co. will run the Baldwin in
a frst-class manner only"
But they had more open time than
attractions and so Modjeska was given