The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-19
DRAMA AND
VAUDEVILLE
"Liberty Hall" at the
Columbia.
is A VERY PRETTY COMEDY
THE TIvOLI PRESENTS "THE
BELLS OF CORNEVILLE."
Captain Impudence" a Success at
worcestershire orpheum Dis
plays Fine Lo. Of Stars.
At the Chutes.
THE TIVOLI PRESENTS "THE
BELLS OF CORNEVILLE."

Liberty Hail." the charming comedy
drama by r. C. Carlton, was given a very
cordial reception at the Columbia last
night, after an absence Of four years. 1t
is a dainty, pleasing mixture of the life of
the nobility and the middle class, taken
from the great English metropolis, and is
exceedingly interesting from beginning to
end The art of the author In depicting
the methods by which the false pride of
lovable woman Is gradually humbled,
until she sees and appreciates life in its
true light, is only equaled by the COM
mendable manner in which the pretty
story was told on the stage last night.
The play moves quietly and smoothly
from one engaging scene to another, and
while the fearful predominates, there is
sufficient of the cheerful to give mel
low effect, the enjoyableness of which
was attested by the generous applause
accorded it. The plot is simple and con-
fined almost entirely to showing the mis-
fortunes and good fortunes of two noble
young women, and the admirable sides
of the struggling poor and the British
aristocrat.
The scenes in the humble home of Tod
man, the unsuccessful shopkeeper, with
their effective illustration of the woes of
the pinching nip of poverty and vain eff
forts to hide them, afforded excellent OPP
portunities for the F'rawley company TO
display their capabilities in another line
and they did not fail to grasp them.
The character of Todman, the poor, diff
fident and lovable old shopkeeper, who
cares for his aristocratic relatives in their
distress, showed US Theodore Roberts in
a new and delightful part. 1t is unneces-
Sary to say more than that his concep-
ton of the character was true to life
one worthy of high pralse-and which
greatly advanced him in the favor Of the
patrons of the house
Similar remarks would apply to the ar
tistic work of Madeline Bouton as the
poor but naughty highborn lady. 1t was
ner first effort here in Subdued character
IZation and the best she has thus far been
seen in, earning well-deserved recalls.
Edward Bell improves with acquaint-
ance and was particularly acceptable as
the nobleman making love in the gutse OF
a commercial traveller. Miss Fanchon
Campbell has an ingenue part well suited
to her talents. Mr.. Burke as the coarse
but ambitious shopman Mr. Wilson as
the solicitor and Louis Payne, the lispins,
callow youth, were quite satisfactory.
Eleanor Carey's ideas of what constitute
a holy terror in the person of a servant
of all work was everything that could be
desired. Mr.. FraWley has a congenial
part as an earnest and, despite his diff
culties, successful swain Mr.. Clarence
Livingston made an suspicious first APP
pearance as the hopelessly lovelorn shop
boy, and should be well satisfied with his
reception. In fact, every part was well
done, and with it's bright lines, clever
stage settings and rapid changes from
laughter to tears Liberty Hall should
give a good account at the box Office at
the close Of the week.