The San Francisco call., 1898-11-29

crowd-a good performance of pool l Rostand's much be-actored master piece. And happy to relate the crowd was surprised: the performance was good. It was tastefully even beautiful ly seemed; the stage direction was sane and artistic, and the acting was quite l good enough to give one a fair idea of the drama in English.
 | After jollying the idea of a Tivoli 1 "Cyrano" as I have done I blush to write these kind words. But the truth must be told. As the Sheriff said to the woman whose husband he had hanged | by mistake. The joke is on me-" Really, you are given a very decent idea of the spring, spirit and fantastic romance of "Cyrano de Bergerac" by the performance at the Tivoli. Of course to know "Cyrano" at the best you should read the book: after that see the Coquelin or the Mansfield pro- duction; but if you can't wait for either of these then plunge for a half-dollor's S worth at the Tivoli. Personally, I should have been satisfied with read ing the book and waiting for Mans field, but the local managers are less patient. The name "Cyrano de Der gerac" stands for all that is gloriously
 
 ern theatrical world; and the play is to every manager in this country (eX- cept Mansfield, who chose to pay roy alty) as free as air New masterpieces that are worldwide in popularity and free don't happen oftener than once in a lifetime; so the little managers go in for "Cyrano" productions with the same amiable enterprise that inspires other merchants to offer their patrons "Cy- rano" cigars and "Cyrano" hair re- storers.
 When the Tivoli people announced a serious production with their principal comic oDera comedian in the leading part, I saw only the funny, mercenary side of 1t. Hence those "joshes," which are now on me. While am not obliged to say that the freeneSS and commercial charm of "Cyrano" were ignored by the TivoH management, I can say in all integrity that that management went about its business in a quiet, thorough business like way. George LaSk, the stage manager, was sent East to ob- serve the Mansfield and Daily produc- t1ons, to find where cuts could be made and where they could not, and to get the plans of the costumes and scenery And if there is man in this town who knows his business his name is George Lask. The management was generous, and he got up production that is more than creditable in the circumstances, and in many ways artistic. The Tivoli instead of hurting the popular interest in "Cyrano" has done it good; and for several weeks to come "Cyrano" will quicken the popular interest in the Tiv- oli.
 Now for the acting, which is the real surprise; anybody with time and money and workmen can get up a we'll dressed stage. Edwin Stevens plays the long-nosed title part, and plays 1t well. do not mean that he plays It well for 50 cents or for a comic opera comedian, but just plain well" He has given thought and study not only to the part, but to the whole play, and he has caught something of the de- 11ghtfully extravagant atmosphere and of the poetic glow. He does not give 10 the character all the recklessness and ring nor all the emotional warmth that are in it, because there are limits 10 his temperament which are easily reached in this part. But he does read the nnes with authority and imagination ana with almost faultIess enunciation. and his impersonation is always con- slstent and always interesting.
 one improvement I might suggest. and that is that in the love scenes he affect less of what for lack of a reader term may call the "baby voice." It is