The herald., 1898-09-04

Phcuih uuTlnB tne past week mas called
forth general comment from the patrons
CT the house to the effect that 1t was the
best ever furnished.
The change In the tone of the entertain
ment Is also to be remarked. AT one time
1t was thought necessary to defend the iE-
PRODUCTION Of jokes with double meaning
besides submitting to the coarsest kind OF
horseplay, on the ground that the gale. y
must be pleased as we'll as the stalls, and
that program should be so made up as
10 include something to please all the
patrons.
This ground Is now practically aban-
doned, and II a performer on his first
night should slip in an offensive remark
or verse that Is shady. there is no danger
that he will repeat the offense on the fol-
lowing evening
1t Is this vgilant attention. to the de-
mands OF high class patronage that has
helped 20 build up the institution to the po-
sition 1t now worthily occupies. 1t may
~ added that the Introduction of dramatic
sketches as a feature of the entertainment
has also tended 20 raise the standard of
taste to the level Of refinement that did not
before exist
The little plays given by Felix Morris
nced to satisfy the demands of people who
desired something better than the old
fashioned knockab bout minstrel" crud-
ties.
Mr.. Morris brought his fine dramatic
instinct TO bear upon certain quantities
that never before had submitted to any
thing of the kind. That he succeeded in
controlling every part Of his house and
holding In 80
eliminating n genuine, heartfelt applause
Is convincing proof of his talent,
Lillian Burkhart. with clever sketch OF
a different order, more amusing and yet
not wanting in dramatic quality, has also
compelled the attention and applause of the
big audiences that have been gathered
every night. Miss Burkhart like Mr.. Nor
ris. varies her program and this week viii
give another comedietta
The charm of her work Is in its natural
ness and sincerity. In the first place, her
little plays have dramatic form and shape,
and she affords a glimpse of character
made interesting on account of her dainty
method OF handling. BY the way, her man
ner OF gliding across the stage is unap-
proachable. Very few actresses, or actors,
for matter Of that, can walk across the
duck or hen or some other inoffensive and
ungracefu animal. The gliding movement
that Is so even that glass of water placed
on the head would not lose a drop on ac-
count Of the motion is to be seen to be ad-
mired and to be tried II one wants to find
out how difficult 1t is.
Miss Burkhart has created highly IA
vorable impression during the past week,
against odds. This week she will have the
field more to herself and her new piece
will be looked forward to with great inter-
est.
Henry Miller Is nearing the end Of his,
three weeks engagement at the Baldwin
thea;er, San Francisco. He comes direct
from there to Los Angeles for a four nights
engagement, beginning the 18th instant.
He will present during that time, Hearts
ease" "The Master" and "A Marriage of
Convenience" The pay and company
have been we'll received in the former city.
In its answers to correspondents San
Francisco Music and Drama advises an as
pirant for theatrical honors as follows
'If you are but 16 and are ambitious to
become legitimate actress, lessons in elo-
cution and stage department from an ex-
perienced teacher would certainly do no
harm. If you desire to commence a the
bottom round of the ladder and work your
way up. save the money you would have to
put into elocution lessons. Nothing teaches
quite as we'll as practical lessons in subor-
6inate roles"
This Is the kind of advice so frequently
given by managers whose stage ideal is
pretty figure and handsome dress, or un-
dress, and plenty of what they call "chick,"
perfectly regardless of education. training
or fitness for part.
II is a favorite superstition of third rate
actors and second-class managers that the
study Of elocution, gesture and department
is al rot" and this opinion IS entertained
because the people who express 1t have had
no advantages of the kind, and therefore
become savage at the idea that these up
starts should attempt to crowd their way
upon the stage and actually offer to deliver
before the public lines which can be under
stood. we'll pronounced and uttered in well
modulated tones that can be heard without
difficulty all over the house.
It Is not surprising that jay actors and
managers should affect to look down upon
things to which they cannot attain. or even
uHOeTStdnO, Dut CONFESS 10 some wonder
that an influential dramatic journal should
give such encouragement to their ideas
as Is set forth in the paragraph quoted
above.
Why tell the young woman that the les
sons of an experienced teacher would do
her mo harm?" Such advice is worthless.
The question is whether they would do her
any good. And there can be no doubt but
that whatever improvement the pupil
might make in her delivery of the English
language and in her ability to deport her.
self properly on the stage would be good
for her.
The falsest idea Of all to inculcate Is that
the knockabout experience Of newcomer,
essaying subordinate roles, can in any way
be superior to a course Of instruction In
English in the meaning of gesture, and in
the essentials for proper Interpretation of
dramatic characters. It Is like telling a
woman that In learning to fill the duties Of
chambermaid she will be fit to move in
polite society.
OF course ! am we'll aware that the elo-
sutton schools are responsible for much of
the od.um thus cast upon the art of speech
While there are many poor schools and in
efficient teachers, there are others which
are good and there is no sense In decryipe
an art because there are some poor pro-
fessors Of 1t.