The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-04
ALEXANDRIA OPENS
WITH A BIC HOUSE
Begins Its Career Under
Splendid Conditions.
MANY WERE TURNED AWAY
A GOOD AND VARIED BILL
PRESENTED.
Del Puente, Corinne, Edith Hall, Sid
ney and Mrs. Drew, the
Rossis and Others as
Entertainers.

The opening performance Of the AL
harnbra Theater was given last night
under very suspicious circumstances.
The bright, beautiful playhouse not
withstanding it's seating capacity of
'23OO was packed to the doors with an
audience representative Of the best ele-
ments Of the city and was a striking
proof Of the fact that vaudeville has
gained a great following in this city.
The crush to obtain admittance was
something unequaled here for several
years and hundreds who went expect
ing to procure tickets found to their
chagrin that none were to be had. Ow-
ing to the size of the crowd and the
fact that every one wanted to get in
at the same time there was considerable
Confusion and delay in properly seating
ticket holders.
However, there were no complaints,
and the occasion passed pleasantly. At
ter a short speech of explanation and
thanks from Director DeKennett, the
programme began with the Toreador
song from Carmen" by Signor ded
Puente, which won an emphatic encore.
He has a deep, rich voice under perfect
control, and did better than could have
been expected under the circumstances.
The illusionist Mons de Villiers, is
very clever at legerdemain, but could
greatly improve his act by curtailing
his discourse and putting more snap
into his turn. This he will doubtless do
during the remainder of his engage
ment.
Corinne was given a cordial recep-
ton. 1t is evident that the young lady
has Jared we'll in her absence, for she
has added perceptibly to her physical
no in, hnr~ nj nj G in cr
manner first in conventional costume,
and on a recall appeared without the
skirts. displaying a figure calculated
for the first row in the grand ballet.
Her performance on the mandolin was
highly appreciated, her reward being a
wealth of flowers.
Powers and Hyde, song and dance and
cake-walk artists, gave very clever
act and were recalled several times.
Dainty little Edith Hall was given a
good old-fashioned, rousing reception,
and charmingly entertained her au-
ditors with singing and dancing. On
her account, Also the florists are pos
sessed Of much more wealth.
The Rossi brothers are expert con-
tortionists and very amusing.
The gem of the evening was real
screaming farce played by Sidney and
Mrs. Drew, entitled When Two Hearts
Are Won" 1t is sharp and effervescent
as ginger pop and was played to per-
lection 1t kept the house in roar
from start to finish, and is alone worth
the price of admission.
John Byrne, the monologue man, is
an odd feature and had deal Of fun
with the audience before making his
retiring bow The Harpers, colored
comedy artists, did an entertaining
turn, and the bill was concluded by the
singing Of 1.-THE Star Spang1ed Banner"
by Del Puente in magnificent style, the
audience joining in the chorus.
The Alhambra management are de-
serving of great credit for the manner
in which their initial presentation was
made, and the new home Of vaudeville
begins it's career under most encourag-
inc conditions