The San Francisco call., 1898-07-12
Faust" at the A1CaZara
 Big Success.
"ROMANY RYE" MAKES A HIT
A LAUGHABLE COMEDY AT THE
 COLUMBIA.
"Lost-24 Hours" Is Bright and Funny - More Star Acts
 Given at the
 Orpheum.

The Frawley company presented jol- ly and entertaining comedy drama at the Columbia last nght-one that will not only make many friends for those in the cast, but should bring satisfactory re- turns to the box office. The dialogue Is bright, on the up-to-date order, the sit nations comical and these features, com bined with good acting. constitute rich producer of good, wholesome, hearty laughter. This being the mission of "Lost-Twenty-four Hours" the fact that the plot Is not new does not matter. The familiar subject of the troubles or young married man who takes advantage of the absence of his wife to get dread fully drunk and lose day by oVer-sleep- ing Is handled in such clever and origt- nal manner as to make it decidedly ac- ceptable. The first two acts are soilo fun and there is no wasted time Tn the matter of promoting hllarlty Tn the au dience. The last act dragged somewhat last night, but will be all right with a ht- tie more adjustment and rapidity Of ac- tion. The plot of the play was given In these columns on Sunday. The trouoie in the story all arises from the acqulsl- tion of that remarkable condition or m ebriety, the incidents following In natural manner.
 who is one of the most gifted liars on n earth, is played by Edward Bell and It IS by far the best thing he has done since the opening of the season. M He IS t3 pe acter was as carefully and correctly drawn as could well be done, for ne cer- tainly brings out all the fun there IS m the lines and situations. His work last night will advance him greatly in the es- timation of the patrons of the Columbia: The, same remarks apply to the acting {,.3 or Dacre, the dashing young widow .o or questionable morals. who causes all the regrets. She was handsome and charm ing, throwing animation into her work that called for generous and well l-deserved appreciation. As the Puritanical brother of the bad young husband-one whose lures of a pretty face-Louis Payne car ried off large share of the honors. The difficult and negative part was done to a turn and showed the possession of the Frenchman was constructed on funny lines, but would be improved If he would stick to his accent. Fanchon Campbeli, ,i as the confiding little wife was very lovahle, and Cora Tinnie cleverly delineated cap tivating and well-instructed housematd for a man in Swift's fix. Lucille La Verne in the character of an ancient matron labor ing in the Lords vineyard was quite at home. and Miss Winter as her daughter does her small part, particularly her at tempts at skirt dancing and high kicking, cleverly. Anybody in search of a two hours laugh need hunt no further than the Columbia.
 is a pathetic short sketch, given a rel ish for the comedy that follows. It Is from Richard Harding Davis Van Bibber stories, the two principal speaking parts being taken by T. Daniel Frawley as Van Bibber and Theodore Roberts as Caruth- CTS. The character fits MT. Frawley com fortably and the desired sympathies of the audience are gained, but MT. Roberts could greatly improve on the finale, when he acknowledges his discarded child, by displaying some emotion, as a father should in such a situation.
 The play goes for the week and ought to have successful run.