The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-01
GOOD OLD SENTIMENT
AT PRETTY ALCAZAR
The Third Chamber Music Concert of
the Holmes Quartet Lacked
Sufficient Practice.

The AlcaZar management dug into the
archives Of ancient dramatic works that
have a mellow tinge and got hold OF
Saints and Sinners" I have always had
a certain prejudice regarding sentimental
plays. and the aforementioned literary
concoction Is sentimental IN tho highest
degree. i Is one of those sobbing affairs
that water your ewes and keep YOU sigh
ing just for amusement and IN the mean
time YOU arc supposed 10 forget your own
troubles. That Is at least what YOU gen
erlly go 10 the theater for. There was n
time when seutimentality played great
role IN the dramatic arena. but those times
are passed and We want 70 laugh now. Il
does not make much difference what we
are supposed 20 laugh about. as long as
we can laugh. That is the reason why
My Friend From India was such
great success and Saints and sinners
Is not quite as profitable
somehow the cast seems 10 be affected
with this same dreary sentiment which
characterizes the play. Eugene Qrmonde
Is miscast as the old minister In his en-
deayor 10 be an Old man he overdoes the
part. and with trembling voice and hands
ne wobblcs through his part. G. F. Mon
taine does not like 10 be a villain. and
hence his ncrceness does not sound free
and natural or course Marie Howe Is
always good no matter what she under
takes, and character parts are her strong
point. hence her Lydia IS one Of the fea-
lures Of the play.
Foster, who has a fine conception Of the
uulUckv Lefty Fletcher II Il gratifying
% md Miss Foster devoid Of that shipper
ing manncrism which leading women gen.
rally assume in roles OF this kind She
KNOWS exactly how FAR she can 20. and
consequently her audiences never lose in
terest In the action of the play. Frank
bpperman, a new acquisition 10 the Alca-
Ear aggregation, does bit Of excellent
character work. His Lot Burton Is orig
lhsi as Vel as realistic and the bluntness
with which he delivers his strong lines is
ccmlcai 20 an artistic degree He Is a
very strong support 10 the company.
Great interest Is being taken I'm the pro-
dnctlon 81 Francis Powers new plav
Mother Earth" which receives its first
performance next Monday evening THE
viii be a gala night at the Alcazar. as
he swell set will turn out 10 greet Mr.
Bruguiere's music
The third chamber music concert by the
Holmes Quartet took place at Century
Hall on Tuesday afternoon. II was not as
good as the preceding ones. owing 10 q
lack Of practice. here was a timidity
prevalent which prevented a clean rendi-
ton OF tho selections The most ambitious
number on the programme was the Schu-
mann piano quintet. wherein Miss Ernes-
tine Goldman played the piano very in
diligently. showing herself capable Of
forming a valuable member IN ensemble
work. Harry Girard was the vocalist and
although proving himself POSSESSED OF a
strong and ringing barytone. which he
uses with much temperament his accom-
panist was not experienced enough to
support him properly.
ALFRED METZGER
The first substantial response TO the
managers proclamation Of a benefit per
Torrance consisted Of n 1fty-dollar check
by &. ID. Stone Of the San Francisco
Brewcries The check was sent 10 Mr.
Meyerfeld Wednesday. The interest IN the
grand benefit Increases every day. and
there H. every sign OF packed house.
The sale Of seats for the grand SYM
phony concert. which will take place At
the Grand Opera-house next Thursday
afternoon. VIII be opened this morning at
Sherman < Clay's music store. AS the
price OF tickets is but from % cents TO
81 50. there will no doubt be a large
crowd