The San Francisco call., 1901-11-17

IdcC lndC Hnero IOOLDdll ana art
are concerned the score is going
to be 20 every time with the tri-
umphant young athletes who have
just succeeded in kicking their friendly
rivals score into the middle of next week.
Still, it is a pity that the Berkeley boys
should not have been able to restrain
their very natural enthusiasm on the
night of the game 4 little longer, to per-
nit of the excellent rendering of ''The
Fantasticks,' the college play of the year,
being heard to it's close, for it was quite
one of the best things that has been done
by the university. But, indeed, RoStand's 5
enchanting fantasy was listened to with
remarkable respect under the exciting
circumstances, and but for incidental di-
vertisements by a few irrepressibles was
accorded unusual attention, both by the
university and lay audience
The comedy was evidently enjoyed on
its own merits, and disclosed an unex-
pected fitness for use on such occasions.
The Interpretation was notably good. and
in at least one instance in the cast Pro-
fessor Louis DUPONT Syle, under whose
direction the play was given, appears to
have discovered histrionic talent of no
mean order. The version of 1.-THE Fantas-
ticks" used was the translation by George
Fleming, and Professor Syle was assisted
in it's direction by We're w. Hunter. The
play was well staged, appropriately cos
TUNED and deft in its stage management
OF the players for whom it is not
difficult to prophesy histrionic distinction
If they should turn their attention that
way, E. B. Harris, who essayed very sue
cessfully the delicately ridiculous role OF
the hero, Percinet is easily first. He play
ed the part of the sugar-candy Prince
Charming with exactly the right loftily
absurd accent, and spoke his lines with a
f,,II Nf .o.afo
poetry. Mr.. Harris voice is not so full as
it might be, but otherwise he seems gem
erously equipped for the stage. His ges-
lures are easy and graceful, his personal
gifts considerable and his Percinet of the
other night shamed the work of many
professionals.
j. W. S. Butler. who portrayed the
father of Percinet, also did some very
good acting; Miss E. c. Howard was
charming Sylvette, and-the parts of Pas
quin, Sylvette's father, and Straforel,
captain of the bravos, were well taken
by A. j. Todd and ]. r. Carter re-
spectively. Altogether. the performance
was on a much higher level than the
usual college play, and every credit is
due to Professor Syle and his clever
young people for adventuring into the
higher comedy realms and with such
marked success. 1t leaves one with a
strong desire to see 1.-THE Fantasticks'
with the best the stage has to bring to
its Interpretation.
Tonight at the Columbia begins the.
engagement of Willie Collier, possibly the
cleverest comedian in his class now on
the boards. Willie brings with him this
time Augustus Thomas new farce COM
e6y ION the Quiet" that enjoyed last
season an uninterrupted run of six
New York. Nat Goodwin had the first
refusal of the piece. and it lay for a
twelvemonth in Goodwin's pocket un-
used Then Willie Collier saw it and
made it his own Immediately, with the
above happy result. Goodwin afterward
saw Collier in the play in New York and
said to him after it was over, You're a
cleverer fellow than 1 am, Willie If
had seen in the farce anything like you
have made of it you would not have
been playing it now. Not muchr'
But Mr.. Collier has the farce and it Is
said to fit him like his skin, as we'll as to
afford his excellent supporting company
no end of good opportunities.
ION the Quiet is clean. legitimate
fun throughout say those who have
seen it, and a lavish relief to the noisome
Palais Royal farces with which the lat
te.-day stage has been oeluged, the breed
even lately invading the dramatic sanctf-
ties of our little Alcazar Theater. Rut
"On the Quiet" is the other story. It's
plot is simple but meaty. Collier has the
part of Ridgway, a Yale student who
falls In love with an heiress. The heirsss
has a stern brother who must be concili-
ated before she can marry or on her
marriage she loses large fortune. Rut
the lovers cannot wait and there is q
secret wedding. Then arise the compIica-
tions. To keep the secret of the mar
riage Ridgway is finally compelled To
elope with his own wife. and the difficuI-
ties encountered in the meantime keep
the audience in a white heat of merri-
ment 1t is quite long time since vii
lie Coilier-who has since become +syVfl-
liam was here, and his welcome will be