The San Francisco call., 1899-07-16
WHAT THE THEATERS
HAVE DONE
DURING THE WEEK.

"O keep apace with all that is go
/ ing on in the theatrical world we
must be Industrious, but happi
i ness follows in the path of our
energies Think of it-six attrac-
tions and not a dull evening. Getting
UP out of our winter idleness in no way
embarrasses us. We have grown ac-
customed to it. Our brief summer run
in the sunshine makes US feel right
pleasant and mirthful. But, did we
group a year of our theatrical Julys,
sermons about the evils of running.
after enjoyments would be in evidence
and sleep would be an item that might
fit where it could. You cannot bring
US a bowl of good wine and .behoove us
not to drain it. Lord and Lady Algy"
is playing to excellent business, and
why not? second hearing reveals a
cIeverness of line and situation not
thoroughly appreciated at first-light
and shade, l mean, such as we find in
pictures after we have bought them
and brought them home Lord Algy's
fiat, with pretty much everything in
1t that he can't afford" is worthy ex-
travagance. wish that all stage man>
ayers would make study of Mr.. Mill
ler's color harmonies. 'Tis not mat
ter of outlay, but of artistic selection
"a careful avoidance of all ugliness.
The hand of critical refinement is ap-
parent and the chairs never mutter at
the sofas. The scenic artist and the
property man touch the whole COM
munity with their conduct, and he who
forces makeshift upon us so long as
we do not openly rebel, engages in but
small work. Indifference to correct eff
fects is a bald evidence of managerial
limitation Avoidable shocks to the
retina are crimes, and many are the
criminals, Lady AlgyS gowns, so
much talked of and admired, were all
made here; and so, by the way, were
the ones Miss Roberts wears in Ca
mile" 'Tis a matter to congratulate
ourselves upon. Just why Camille" is
not to run two weeks I am at a loss to
say. The business warrants it; the ap-
plause demands it. Five curtain calls
at the close of the third act are not
unusual, and tears-we fairly luxuriate
in them! 'Tis a pity that earlier con-
tracts prevent Mr.. Whittlesey's stay
ing as leading man. But the itinerary
is ineXorable.
Monday night to THE Dancing Girl"
in which Miss Bates has been so fa>
vorably criticized The intensity of the
play, its strength of dialogue and its
famous fall have been often discussed;
and the Frawley company find it an
ever popular revival.
The Orpheum has an excellent bill
this week. There is always some dra-
matte moment to be found there within
the consciousness of each of us. Miss
Palmer finds her one-act play, Rose
Pompom." an excellent medium for
dainty and clever specialties. Her song
of the tin soldier could not have been
better done, and her dancing is refined
and graceful. All the knowledge of
what is funny is not contained in one
small head, for | cannot yet under
stand the reason of the gales of laugh
ter that greet the coarse horse-play OF
"A Wise Guy" The stage that is yet
to come contains our chief interest and
if we like this so much, shall we not
be given more and worse? The RiX-
fords do their best work vertically.
head to head-brain to brain, as it
were Their disrobing act in that po>
sition, if little startling, is immensely
clever. George Wilson is an inimita<
BILE monOlogiSt His jokes are new ana
well told: his songs clever and well
sung: his audience merry and generally
appreciative. The tragic comedians
have found favor and new work from
the old people meets deserved applause.
The enterprise Of the Grand Opera
house has won the recognition it de-
serves and our theaterg going public
have ceased to find the theater remote
or out of the way. Carmen. is to be
followed by "Olivette." The rehearsals
promise much and the theater keeps its
promises.
Blue Beard" at the Tivoli has been
warmly praised by all the critics ana
the management announces an indef1
mite run.
Let him who cannot find food to his
taste on this dramatic table stink away
unpitied to his fate.
CHARLOTTE THOMPSON