The herald., 1898-06-28
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
AT THE THEATER
. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

LOS ANGELES.-The enterprising work
that is being done by the manager of this
house in providing an excellent operate
season at summer rates is not properly ap-
preciated by the public This statement IS
not made in haste, as the Carl Martens
Opera company has finished two weeks
work, and last night opened its third week
with a performance of Faust" that was so
good as a whole it was a matter of re-
gret that music lovers should neglect so
excellent an opportunity for enjoying their
favorite art.
The orchestra, which has been greatly in
creased for this engagement, did excellent
work in the support of the singers, as well
as in the playing of the incidental music.
The chorus, while trifle unsteady ini the
attack on several occasions, will easily
remedy that defect with much more facil-
ity than it can cure the absence of the de-
sirable tenor voices which are so hard to
procure.
Michelena was warmly welcomed in his
favorite role of Faust" and his liquid
tones, which pervade the whole opera, are
more pleasing to listen to than the ability
to climb to high and stay there would be
in another singer. Michelena is an ideal
lover in the gentle operatic fashion, and he
is so perfectly at home in the role of Faust
that it may be said to fit him Ike a
glove.
The Marguerite of the evening was as
sumed at short notice by Miss
May Gooch in consequence of Miss
Coleman's inability to assume the
role at the time required. Under
the circumstances Miss Gooch did admir-
ably. The Mephisto of Napoleone, while
1t was deficient in ease and self-command
and was, besides, poorly made up as to his
face, yet sang exceedingly we'll. "The
Golden Calf was perhaps the best thing
he did, and this procured him an encore.
The Valentine of Vargas was one of the
best efforts of the whole performance, and
the singers voice in 20 Santa Medaglia"
was listened to with rapt attention, and
gained him loud applause.
Miss Lincks Siebe was charming rem
diton. The flower song was encored. and
the pretty romance, "Tutto IL Creator"
which is seldom sung, was delightfully."- rem
dered. Articulation is the principal weak
point with Miss Linck, and deserves her pa
tient study. In appearance the young lady
bore off the honors of the evening.
1t may be hoped that the public will sup
port by an extensive patronage this fine
company and its artistic work. Seldom
has anything been given here that more de-
serves encouragement.
ORPHEUM.-The usual overfowing
house witnessed the performance of the
new bill last night and with more than the
usual signs of satisfaction. Fanny Went
worth, as pianiste, vocalist and character
artist, showed her remarkable ability as
mimic in several languages, and was
equally at home as the English society
swell, the German yodler or the French
chanteuse Her voice has range that en-
ables her to do justice to any and all of the
chara cters she assumes The audience gave
her the chief applause of the evening.
Fielding's comedy juggling act was quite
a success. He adopts a clown makeup
and his work is SO far different from the
stereotyped pattern so common with Jug
glers as to deserve special mention on that
account.
AS for Katie Rooney with her lightning
changes from a soubrette to darling boy
and afterward to the full-fedged Irishman
in which character she gave limitations of
her father, Pat Rooney, she was great hit
and amused the house immensely with her
funny monologue.
Wills and Loretto are back again as the
tramp and the soubrette, and are as taking
as ever. The old jokes are evidently as
good as new, judging by the applause with
which they wero received, and 1t Is, there
fore, little wonder that these performers
do not find 1t worth while, as q rule, to get
new lines. Albertus and Bartram, team
of Indian club swingers, closed the bill.
The hold-overs were the Musical John
stons, Ezra Kendall, with new Jokes, and
Monte, the ballad singer, in a new gown
and a charming selection of songs, the
rendition of which brought her enthusiasts
tic applause.
BURBANK.-The first production in this
city of "A Social Highwayman" was given
last night by the full strength of the excel
lent stock company now playing at this
house.
The cast of characters was as follows
Courtice Jaffrey.. Lester Ionergan
Jenkins Handy, his valet. Geo. Osbourne
Livingstone Remsen. Gilbert Gardner
Gordon Key. Henry Napier
Merten Harley. William Hawley
George Bartlett ..........John t. Nicholson
Cornelius Despard........ Frank w. Bacon
Duches of Clayborough. Ida Banning
Mrs. Pyle. Virginia Bowman
Elenor Burnham. m..........Gertrude Tidball
MIS-. Deane.. ...................... marie howe
Dora, maid. ................ Mrs. OSbourne
Sonora Leila Caprices. Olive Oliver
The piece itself is dramatization made
by Richard Mansfield and Mary Stone of
story written by Elizabeth Phipps Train.
1t was produced under Mr.. Mansfeld's
management at the Garrick theater, New
York, and ran there for three months to
large audiences. 1t was only withdrawn be-
cause of engagements previously made for
other attractions. The parts of Courtice
Jaffrey and Handy, his valet, were as
sumed by Joseph and e. M. Holland, whose
talents, together with those of Miss Oliver,
who played the same character there as she
now does here, made the piece great sue
cess.
1t is society, or dress coat, drama, in
which the principal villain wears the best
of olcthes moves among the best people