The San Francisco call., 1899-12-14
THE CHIMES" A
FAVORlTE. STILL

A good rendering of THE Chimes OF
Normandy" such. for instance, as that
at the Grand Opera House. is essential
TO an enjoyment OF the opera. What
Norma" is TO grand opera. THE Chimes
is 10 comic-an old school favorite. II
may be depended on TO draw from his
domestic shell the man that goes To the
theater once a year, and his good wife
with him. / fancy there are few OF
those who in sad cities dwell, that, If
they be theatrically inclined, have not
some time heard Planquette's opera.
theater listening 10 it, and II yet has
the power to please. The music is full
OF a very pretty inventiveness, and being
OF the kind that one retains unconsciousiy
IL has become as generally. as promiscu-
ously, familiar as nursery rhymes. Mr..
Woln the old miser Gaspart does eH-
cellent work on the dramatic side. AL
though there is throughout his imperson-
alton too great an obViousness. his mo-
ments OF overacting are quite fairly bal
anced by the truly artistic touches he oc-
casionally lays on The other members OF
the cast do their work smoothly enough.
though without a suggestion of tempera-
ment Edith Mason makes an attractive
figure OF Serpolette, missing entirely the
proper conception OF the part, which Is
one OF simple-mindedness and vanity.
Persse does as much with the part OF
the Marquis as Is possible with his mock
vitality. He is ably assisted. however.
In the second act go magnificently. Hat
tie Belle La0d was not at her best
Germaine, her voice offending the ear
more than usual Winfred Goff showed
comic instinct in his grotesque part, but
at times his humor was Of the crudest
kind. Oscar Lee, who took the part Of
Jean. with no more conception Of his role
than Miss Mason has OF hers. cannot
either act or sing. but his salvation may
be In the fact that as yet he is very
young.
The Orpheum is always at its best in
this season Of the year. ! would recon-
mend II 10 every one as a winter resort.
Il Is certainly healthful If there be any
virtue in the old saying. laugh and grow
fat and am not using the word health
fur carelessly. either. for vaudeville OF
the kind provided at the most popular
house in San Francisco is healthful.
lhere were certain Objectionable features
In the vaudeville of yesteryear that lat
terly have been eliminated. / am not
oversqueamish myself. but vaudeville is
not for men only" For a time sugges-
uVeness was TO the fore Variously: Yul-
garity and coarseness were prevalent i'm
the songs, in the dances and particularly
In the monologues.
And now comes George Fuller Golden
with an act that is as clean as IL is enter.
tanning. In his own style, which is a
composite OF wit and buffoonery, he is
easily first Others there are who sur.
pass him in wit. but are without his mi
metic talents. and there are those who
excel him in comedy without his fund
Of humor. His strength is in the nice
blending Of these two elements. where
fore / PROFOUND the paradox that he is TO
be admired because he Is laughed at
When Golden was here a year ago l had
10 find fault with him on the score OF a
certain pretentlOusness. He was fond OF
using very big words without knowing
how. He is not scholar and his subtle
assumption ,of superiority never deceived
This time i have caught him at his old
trick only a few times. and IL Is prin-
cipally on this account that ] said last
week he was better than before. "A little
learning Is a dangerous thing" Amuse
US, Mr.. Golden. but do not try TO i'm
press us; II doesn't, or, as you would say,
IL don't go.
Camille d'Arville always sings winning
OF all. her prettiness. Her presence on
the stage lights up the whole auditorium
and one Is gratifed to find the gallery
not only accepting her excellent art but
applauding her in its peculiarly emphatic
way.
The Royles are back again with an
amusing sketch. THE Highball Family"
Of which, OF course. Mr.. Royle Is thu
author. The plot turns upon a ruse OF
Mr.. Highballs wife and mother-in-law to
cure that gentleman Of his Incorporate
habits. They pretend 20 be gloriously
loaded themselves and present such a
spectacle OF degradation that their victim
is glad TO reform. There are many con.
cessions 10 horseplay in the business OF
the piece, but IL is comic and entertain
ing. the acting Is adequate and, on the
part OF Selma Fetter Royle. particularly
commendable. PORTER GARNETT.