The herald., 1898-12-13
Observation-Disclosures
AT THE THEATER
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THE LOS ANGELES-Th romance of
the confederacy," entitled "Secret Service"
was given last night to a crowded house,
which fully endorsed the verdict rendered
on Mr.. Gillette's brilliant play in every place
where it has been given. Being an intelh
gent, discrminative audience, it could not
do otherwise, although it was a little sur
prising to find so much enthusiasm on a
first nights performance. The coldness of
Los Angeles audiences is almost proverbal
in the theatrical profession in this country,
and this frigidty is usually most prominent
at an opening night. When, therefore, it
is related that there were six strong cur
tain calls at the end, Of the second act, and
the heartiest applause all through the piece,
it may easily be seen that the drama con-
tained matter of a very awakening kind
Secret Service compares well with
Shenandoah" and is superior to any other
of the numerous war dramas that have
been placed upon the stage. Mr.. Gillette
has contrved a most ingenious plot, the
details of which have already appeared in
these columns and need not, therefore, be
repeated here. Indeed no ordinary descrip-
tion could begin to do justice to the situa-
tons which are worked up so clcverly as to
keep the audience in continued state of
excitement. The story of the entire play
is supposed to take place within few
hours, but there is enough action crowded
in to last a month. The necessity created
by the author for COMPRISING the events
in so short period tells against him when
he has TO bring about the denouement
The hero is Union spy in the service of the
confederacy and wearing its military uni
form. He is caught red-handed in the act
of sending dispatches intended to ruin the
confederate cause. He is court -martialed
and sentenced to be shot He is about to
be marched off to instant execution, which
would of course be his fate under the cir
cumstances. But the public would not ap-
prove such realistic and prosaic termina-
ton Therefore the deus ex machina ap-
pears in the shape of a superior officer who
stops the execution at the last moment,
declaring that he knows the discriminating
dispatch was not actually sent, and as the
spy was so kind as thus to relent. he is or
dered to be simply kept in confinement as
a prisoner of war. The curtain then falls,
leaving it matter of agreeable suppositon
that the hero ultimately marries the rather
coorless heroine who is, of course, an at
tractive southern girl in a white muslin
dress.
As the piece is avowedly romance, the
author must not be taken to task for in
dulging in poetic license, especially as by
SO doing he can send his audience home in
a comfortable frame of mind 1t is also a
delight to see the precision of detail with
which the incidents are evolved. Every-
thing goes like clockwork, and to an cn-
professional eye the military minutiae ap-
pear to leave nothing to be desired in the
way of completeness.
As regards the acting, Mr.. Gillette is as
cool, calm and collected as ever, but this
time the spice of danger is added to his
insouciance, and he develops catlike quail
tiles OF quicllness and an heroic courage
which draw forth the fullest admiration
In the few love scenes the interest is not so
keen, for the reason that the heroine has
not been given the necessary lines. Miss
Sara Perry did her best to make the char
acter of Edith Varney effective, and posed
very prettily for the purpose, and it was
not entirely her fault if the character lacked
the necessary warmth and impulsveness
The part of Mrs. General Varney by Miss
Waterman was much better taken than
such parts usually are, and was remarkable
for its delicacy Of treatment. The minor
part of Jonas, the slave, by H. D. James
was an excellent bit of character work.
The :'villain," by Campbell Gollan, was a
Iifelike presentation in costume and action
1t was rather hard on him that he should
be so unlucky when he was only trying to
do his duty.
The inevitable pair of juvenile lovers were
taken by Walter Thomas and Hope Ross
The young man was spirited and clever
and the young woman in pink silk was a
delight to the eye. Peaches and cream are
quite inspid as comparisons illustrating
her saccharine qualities. Miss Ross has ap
parently cultivated squeaky little voice
which she uses very effectively in develop
ing the humorous opportunities of her role
She was the sunbeam that gave relief to the
gloomy situation, and depressing atmos,
phere of battle and sudden death.
''Secret Service" will be repeated tonight
and tomorrow.
o o o
THE ORPHEUM.--Last nights bill was