The San Francisco call., 1898-06-28
"FORT FRAYNE'
 MAKES 4 HIT The Columbia Presents a Fine Comedy. "BOCcACCIO" AT THE TIVOLI "THE GossOoN" CROWDS THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE. "Frederick The Great" a Success at the Alcazar and Standing
 Room Only the Rule at
 the Orpheum.
"BOCCACCI0" AT THE TIv0LI
"THE GOSSOON" CROWDS THE
 GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

The presentation of "Fort Frayne" at the Columbia last evening was a gala oc- caSfon and a proud one, not only for the author, Brigadier General King but for the Frawley Company and the manage ment. The play was a success from the start, and what with the waving of ban ners, the old-time Union cheers, mingled with the startling rebel yell, contributed by some of the Tennessee soldiers in the audience, the presence of Generals Mer- ritt, Otis, Whittier and King, large number of officers and boys in blue and crowded, enthusiastic house, everything went merrily as could be desired. At the end of the first act when "Old Glory in heroic size came gracefully down in the place of the drop curtain, to the music of the "Star-Spangled Banner" the audi ence arose en masse, and for several min utes there was a most stirring scene in which cheers and singing mingled with the various patriotic airs from the orches- tra.
 General King was called for, but de- cllned to appear until at the close of the worded speech of thanks, In which he said he agreed with his old soldiers in Arizona that there was mo place like home-ex- cept San Francisco" This, he thought was proved by the reception of his humble efforts and the able work of the company Everybody was happy and Fort Frayne"
 
 promises very successful run.
 The play is picturesque, full of bright, pleasing scenes, with sufficient of the pa thetic to give sharp contrast to the rich vein of comedy and humor running through it. There are some tears, but 1t is mostly laughter, of the wholesome, well-deserved kind, that follows the catchy lines and harmonious situations MT. Frawley as a lieutenant of the Na- tional Guard of New York has a line in which he says ''The National Guard is where 1t ought to be-shoulder to shoul- der with the regulars" General King, in his speech. said that the words were pro- phetic. as they were in the original lines of the drama as the two branches of the military were now where they ought to be-shoulder to shoulder
 The company Is deserving of much credit for the excellent manner in which the members carried their respective parts, especially on first night. Miss Bouton as the unhappy wife of the dis reputable soldier, had a part that gave fine opportunities to show her abilities and she did this most capably, winning well-deserved praise. MT, Frawley was a most admirable persistent lover and Sam Edwards as Dr. Wayne. the wretchedly absent-minded wooer of a delightful spinster,' Miss Lucille la Verne, afforded much of the genuine comedy of the play.
 Thomas OMally as the Irish sergeant created genuine fun, and MT. Roberts, in the part of the noble redman, fitted the character nicely. MT. Wilson as the com fresh young officer from West Point, and MT. Burke as the degraded soldier, were very natural and acceptable. MT. Bell, however, could not escape from his own personality, and appeared to be the Prince lifted out of "aristocracy." Miss Maude Winters was charming as the willful and loveable young miss and appeared to much better advantage than heretofore. Too much of the vixen in Fanchon Camp bells lovers quarrel somewhat marred an otherwise creditable piece of work. The old maid of Miss La Verne was finished character and decidedly funny. Eleanor Carey as the widow of the for mer commander of the post presented the part very agreeably.
 The theater was beautifully decorated with flags, shields and coats of arms. and the management is to be congratulated on the success, artistic and otherwise, of the production.