The herald., 1898-04-17
Coming Attractions

BURBANK Observation-Disclosures An
nouncement) Beginning tomorrow night
the Belasco-Thall Stock Company will
present the quaint Chinese drama 1.-The
First Born" by Francis Powers. This is
the first production in this city of play
that has become famous on two conti-
nents. II is no wonder that there was a
stir such as never before was known in
San Francisco when this piece was first
produced, stir that brought crowded
houses to the Alcazar for twelve weeks,
the longest run ever enjoyed by any piece
in that city. Nothing more artistic than
1.-THE First Born" has ever been produced
in this city; it is going to make sensa-
tion. Francis Powers has written piece
that dramatzes a glimpse of China town,
without eXaggeration, without striving
for elaborate effects, with a touch of
poetry here and there and few relieving
bits of humor His Chinese are under
standable and his play new and fascinat-
ing. A Wife'S desertiOn of her husband
the kidnapping of his child and the ven-
geance of the husband and father upon
the man who caused his misery make up
the sum of the simple plot. The produc-
tion is under the direction of Mr.. George
Osbourne, who likewise directed the orig
inal one, and as in the latter he again
plays the part of Doctor Pow Len, a Chi
nese physician, part that won him great
praise in New York and London. Miss
Gertrude Tidbali, another one of the orig
inal company, has been especially engaged
to play the charming part of Loey Suig, a
slave girl. Little Venie plays her orig
inal part of Chan Toy, the first born of
Chan Wang. Miss Maie Wells is another
of the original cast who has been engaged
for this production. Frank Bacon, Messrs
Tanning and Cooley, Miss Crosby and
other members of the company, are all
judiciously cast A striking feature is
the music incidental to the play; a love
song, a death wall a walking song and
a folk song. all of Chinese origin, are
sung. The overture includes 1.-THE High
binders Meeting and PATROL and 1.-THE
Chinese Serenade," for mandolins, all es-
pecially written for the piece. Preceding
the Chinese play the comedy "Lost for a
Day" is given; a high class comedy with
a record of four hundred nights in Lon
don.
LOS ANGELES observation-disclosures
Announcement Tomorrow and two fol-
lowing evenings James ]. Corbett and his
company will present "A Naval Cadet"
written by Charles T. Vincent. From
Chicago, where Corbett recently broke all
records in money receipts Of two theatres
in succession, comes the news that the
boxer-actor has decided that the stage is
his natural calling, and hereafter, come
what may of his fistic engagements, he
will devote his every energy to perfecting
himself as an actor. In the last two years
Mckee Rankin had him in hand and
spent much time in teaching him the rudi-
ments of his art, while manager William
A. Brady has surrounded him with a capa-
BILE company of actors and actresses,
among whom are Millie James Ga daughter
of Louis James, the tragedian), Lillian
Lamson, Estelle Dale, Helen Harcourf,
Norman Conniers, Theo. Brown, e. f.
Gilpin and others of equal note. The man
agement gives assurances that IA Naval
Cadet" will be mounted in the most elab-
crate manner, all the scenery being car
ried complete.
ORPHEUM.-(Advance Announcement,
The most recent transfer to the yaude-
VILE stage is Charles T. Ellis. As a star
Ellis has made a reputation and estab-
lished a place for himself as a finished
comedian and a capital singer, after the
style of Charles A. Gardiner His ac-
quirement by the vaudeville managers has
proven profitable for both. Ellis is a sue
cess from several points of view, accord
ing to report. To what extent can per-
haps better be judged after seeing him
here next week, in his one-act play called
Mrs. Hogans Music Teacher" A COM