The herald., 1898-03-27

Reports from the fountain head of the
atrical business in New York indicate the
existence of remarkable dearth of novel
ties at the local theaters in that city
This condition, 1t is pointed out, Is due not
to the dullness of the season, but chiefly
to the fact that at most of the principal
theaters pieces are running so prosper
ously that no change of program Is deemed
advisable.
In this city we have had fair share OF
amusements during the. past week. The
dangerous eyed Anna Held shone upon the
stage Of the Los Angeles theater couple
Of nights, and has departed with her man.
ager and her menagerie. but without the
convivial chef. Four delightful perform
anccs of "Shore Acres have been given
to houses that surpassed in financial re-
turns those of the former engagement
thus showing the increase in the popularity
Of Mr.. Herne and of his piece. The cast
Of "Shore Acres is pretty nearly, but moi
quite, SO satisfactory as when 1t was played
here before. The young lover has entirely
too citified an air, and his fiancee. the
daughter of the rough Martin Berry, was
Miss Marion Cullen. These young ladies
stage of development. Miss Herne makes
excessive use of the drawl which is sup
posed to be characteristic of the Maine
maiden, and both the young ladies go
through their love scenes in a most dis
spirited style. Miss Cullen shows prom
Use, but she is out of her line in this piece.
1 cannot leave 'Shore Acres without ex-
pressing a tribute of admiration for the
AL 80 II N...l.1 L.,
the character of Martin Berry. Though
not SO full Of subtle touches as the work of
Mr.. Herne, yet 1t deserves to rank along
side of 1t as a presentation of uncommon
strength and vigor, always properly sub
dued to the key appropriate to the emotion
and Of the situation, and never failing to be
interesting and impressive.
O O O
The present week sees the opening of
the Burbank theater with a new stock
company brought here by the Alcazar
managers, an event which gives Mr.. John
Fisher his first chance to furnish the kind
Ibf amusement he has contemplated for the
enjoyment of the Burbank patrons. 1t Is
expected that the performances at this
house from now on will be of the charac-
ter that will attract all play-goers alike
and the moderate prices charged ought
certainly to insure large audiences.
"A spectacular extravaganza is to be
given for two nights at the Los Angeles
theater, and will be followed later in the
week by "The Mysterious Mr.. Bugle," a
comedy which has been very extensiven
advertised, and of which all manner of nske
things have been said everywhere.
The animated music sheet Is quite pop.
ular just now. 1t has been produced in
San Francisco four times and will be given
again there by Anna Held this week, al
though it was cut out from her program
here. Primrose and West showed it in
Mis- city, and this week Josephine Sabel
us IL at the Orpheum, while the bur-
1esque, '1492." includes it among the va.
rieties also. An animated music sheet is
q representation of a musical score on a
large white sheet the black heads of the
notes being represented by the glistening
mugs of any quantity of colored kids, who
show their faces through holes in the
canvas and sing the music in chorus.
Viola Allen, who has been for five years
tHC NACdOih6 iduy VI tuC CAHPiIC lHcdtct
Stock Company, WILL according to the
Sun, probably not play with that organ
ization next year. The reason for her Sc
cession is said to be the fact that Charles
friedman has refused to make any eondi-
tionsf In his contracts as to the roles which
the actors will be allowed to play next
year. Friends of Miss Allen say that she
has played only two parts in New York al
the regular performances within the last
two years, and that she has no desire tc
repeat that experience in the future. Miss
Allen, who has acted Yvonne in 1.-The Con.
querors" during the present season, will
be compelled to play that same part or
the road until late in the winter, when the
home season begins. 1t is not at all sur
prising to find the lady declaring that the
role is not sympathetic to her, and the
wonder is that she ever consented to play
1t. Her friends say that she has refused to
become member of the stock company
next year until she knows what roles she
will be called upon to act. MIR. rrchinan
who has now sailed for Europe. is said tc
have refused to make any conditions in the
matter.
There are other seceders from the com
pany, including j. L. Finney and the same
grounds are given for his retirement The
Empire stock company is to play "The
Conquerorf' on it's road tour, and as few
of the act'rs are anxious to appear an,
longer 'r4r "ossible in the Objectionable
play, th' NJ to know what is to be done
next seaan fore they decide to rema,r
in the cor. ~
The intci,e. ut the theatrical week ,r
London centered in the brilliant benefit
recently given Nellie Farren at the Drurx
Lane theater Aserious disarrangement O,
the plans was happily prevented. It was
intended to present her with an address
written by Clement Scott, whereupon
says cable dispatch, six of London's fore.
most actor-managers threatened to with.
draw from the benefit If an address by the
author of attacks on the stage was to b
presented. Scott's address was thereupor
withdrawn and one by Henry Hamilton
substituted.
o o o
Reerbom Tree has hoov, ho,,t,,~ r..