The herald., 1898-09-06
AT THE THEATER
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

ORPHEUM.-The new bill last night was
largely acrobatic. Three numbers, and all
of them of the first order. were devoted to
this speciality. There were the three Ma
carte sisters, queens of equipoise as well
as of avordupois, who do their remarkable
balancing act on the steel wire as II was
seen last week. Then for a new turn there
was the Russian gymnast. Sadi who per-
forms balancing feats that would sound
incredible IL described. His turn Is beau
tifully done. Then there Is the Japanese
troupe Of acrobats, who perform very
clever series Of feats, each more wonderful
than the other.
Mcbride and Goodrich do an Irish spe-
cialty In way that delights the gallery,
which takes advantage of the opportunity
o applaud about the only turn that ap-
pears to have been provided with single
eye to the qualification OF the gods"
Another new couple Is composed Of
Thomas F. Kelly and Miss Violette. who
kindly open the performance. The lady
changes her costume several times and as
sists Mr.. Kelly In song Of serious interest,
the refrain of which Is the famous Rock
Of Ages" He follows this Immediately in
exquisite taste, with a coon song, garnshed
ribbons and his lady partner. Mr.. Kelly
| should black up and do the regulation
darkey business. His mouth alone ought
| to make his fortune, and he has all the
business, apparently, at his fingers ends.
The operate singing Of Madame Tavary.
| the famous prima donna, was again greatly
enjoyed. She sang "Ah Fors Lui." from
"Traviata," followed by the song Star Of
My Life" and concluding by special re-
quest with '"The Last Rose Of Summer"
which she sang delightfully."-.
The gem of the evening was the perform
ance by Lillian Burkhart. assisted by
Caryl Wilbur, of the comedietta dropping
Hint" written by Grant Stewart Miss
Burkhart made such favorable impress
sion last week in the little dramatic sketch
"A Passing Fancy" that 1t was only nat
ural to expect something equally good from
her this time. This expectation was not
disappointed, to the credit Of the fair ac-
tress, in view Of the fact that the new
piece offers her none Of those opportuni-
ties for what may be styled broad effects,
such as she employs in frightening away
her would-be lover in "a Passing Fancy"
dropping a Hint" shows how a clever
girl, very much in love, manages, to force
declaration from young man who is too
shy and conceitedly awkward to say the
right word at the right time. The lover Is
sort Of up-to-date Dundreary, wears a
monocle persistently. is in evening dress
and sports white satin vest with black
|passamenterie trimmings. He Is densely
stupid after the affected fashion Of the av-
erage society young man, and the girl has
need of all her wits to bring him to the de-
sired point. This she does at last after a
series of aggravating failures, In the course
Of which she finds her hints" have missed
their mark Success Is gained at last with
woman's ever-ready weapon, flood of hys-
terical tears, which SO bewilder the poor
fellow. coming as they do after an exhibl-
ton of pretended anger, that he blurts out
the fateful question, to be met with the re-
sponse, "Oh, George, this Is so sudden"
| which comes in with such naive inappropri-
ateness that the house Is convulsed, and the
curtain conveniently falls
| or course II Is In the acting Of this little
trife that its charm lies Miss Burkhart is
a born Coincidence, the great beauty OF her
acting lies in Its spontaneity and freedom
from affectation. She has sweet voice of
good carrying power and her movements
have the lightness and suggest the swift
| ness Of those Of bird. The piece Is Of that
dainty kind that requires dainty handling,
and the cleverness of the performance may
be guessed when 1t Is stated that the en-
tire audience gave 1t an undivided attention,
and at its close honored the performers
with most enthusiastic double recall. Mr..
Wilbur performs his part with great discre-
tion, never overacting, and exhibiting some
good qualities as comedian.
G. F. Henking. Herbert Pierry and H. W.
Alden and wife Of San Diego are at the Ma
deau, where Mr. Alden has taken the place
| Of chief clerk.