The San Francisco call., 1901-11-03
BY Guisard.

in the past an almost SpOUeSS
~ reputation, as the fascinating
widow in Henrietta puts it
"au black and not a white spot in it
with most of the theatrical companies
that have wandered into its wilds. But
famine descended upon the land, the one
first class theater of the town has been
closed for almost a. year and Oakland is
repentant. Oakland is more than repent
ant, reduced in fact, to lively humility
and c. P. Hall has chosen the psychology
ical moment to reopen the Macdonough
Theater. which he did on Halloween with
''In Old Kentucky" All the town was
there and every seat was filled. If Mr..
Hall succeeds in carrying out his plans II
is more than likely that our charming
neighbors across the bay will continue TO
patronize the home theater and regain
its lost position in the managerial heart.
Associated with c. P. Hall, the lessee OF
the theater, are L. Henry and Robert
Barton, who have control of the San Jose,
Stockton, Santa Barbara and Fresno the
aters, and Guy c. Smith, long connected
with the fortunes of the Macdonough.
The policy Of the theater, as outlined by
Mr. Smith, will include the keeping open
of the house from to nights weekly
- with good attractions as can be had
and at a collapsible scale Of prices.
Certainly the most captious critic could
hardly demand more for his money than
the initial offering Of the new manage
ment. In Old Kentucky is one of the
friest Of the mint julep dramas, and Of all
the things that could, would or should
happen in the Bluegrass State, not one is
left out Of the bill. There is a horse race,
q couple Of murders, a fire, a whisky still
raid, dialect that cheers, a darkey band,
q much darker villain, q star rooster,
three bonny horses, a dynamite explosion
and shot a minute among the leading
features Of the drama, and the audience
took it all in with a lavish enthusiasm
born Of long famine. The smell of battle
incited the gallery TO deeds of daring-do
and it outhissed, outwhistled and out
stamped Morosco's in its palmiest mo-
ments. Altogether, the opening of the
Macdonough Theater must be regarded as
a huge success.
We get I'm Old Kentucky tonight at
the California and it should be said in
addition to the attractions catalogued
above that IL has some of the cleverest
buck and wing dancing that is done;
rather charming little heroine, Alice Treat
Hunt. and that the gyrations of Wood
lawn Whangdoodles, the clever pickanin-
nies that play in the good band, are odd
and amusing.
In ''The First Duchess Of Marlborough"
q play written about the first of the IA
nous Sarahs of modern history, Mrs.
Sarah COwen lie Moine seems to have
found fortunate outlet for her peculiar
and individual genius. The drama itself
is said 10 be a well knit and ingeniously
worked-out play, keeping well to the spirit
If not to the letter of the time 1t repre-
sents and is distinguished by consistent
and realistic character drawing. 1t is by
Charles Henry Meltzer, who is otherwise
known to fame as playwright, and seems
TO have achieved a success of rather high
order since its introduction to the public
We shall, however, have opportunity of
judging it for ourselves tomorrow night
at the Columbia Theater.
Besides the distinguished actress AL
ready mentioned, who is naturally found
IN the title role, there are other good play
ers in the cast of The First Duchess of
Marlborough" Joseph Wilkes has the
handling Of the part Of Dr. Swift, also
said to be" capital piece of work. Mr..
Russell, former support Of Stuart Rob
son. has the role of the Duke of Marlbor-
ough; Robert Harley, Mrs. Mashams willy
accomplice, is in the capable hands OF
Frederick Paulding. and there seems to be
conscience and capability throughout the
cast
Alice Nielsen's detection from the Frank
/. Perley Opera Company does not an
pear to have downed the plucky little or
ganization anything worth mentioning.
Last Sundays Tribune Of Utica. N. Y
has glowing account Of Mr. Perley's
latest venture, THE Chaperons," a new
musical comedy composed by Isadore Wit
mark, with a book by Frederic Ranken
Here is paragraph from the column and
q quarter Of description and praise that
the Tribune devoted to The Chaperons":
Gorgeous costumes. tuneful music and a
book above the average IN merit, are the prin-
cipal ingredients Of the new musical comedy.
The Chaperons," which was served to Uticans
at the Majestic yesterday in generous courses
by Frank Perley's comedians. Lovers of this
style Of entertainment who missed attending
either the afternoon evening performances
have much 70 regret for The Chaperons"
provides e most palatable feast OF mirth and
music. Periey won reputation lavish
producer with the Alice Nielsen Opera COM
psnys but his present effort shows appar-