The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-01
AT THE THEATER


David warfeld made his first appear
ance in Savannah as full-fiedged star
last night in Belasco's The Auction
eer." He was greeted by large and
enthusiastic audience. every seat in the
Theater being occupied and very box
filed. Standing room even was scarce.
AS a Hebrew character impersona-
tor Warfield is a premier. As Simon
Levi in the first act. presiding over his
auction house at Five Points" in the
Bowery district OF New York, he looks.
acts and speaks the part to perfection.
That he could be any better seems I'M
possible, for there is not a flaw in his
make up. gesture or enunciation. The
plot depicts him as having grown rich
in the auction business, and led on by
his ambition he forsakes his Hestor
street home for a pretentious residence
on Lexington avenue. the interior of
which is the setting of the second act.
Here reception is given his daughter
Helga, played by Miss Berkeley, in
honor of her announced engagement to
Dick Egan. This is Simon's first ex-
perience as host In his new home, and
some of the wrinkles that his newly
employed butler tries to put him on to
are beyond his comprehension. The
audience laughed continuously, and
the dialogue that took place between
Levi and Mrs. Egan, acceptably play
ed by Miss Marie Bates, is sparkling
with humor. At the hight of the fes-
tivities. the prospective son-in-law is
arrested charged with swindling. for
having sold to Levi worthless stocks,
and as all OF Lewis hard-earned saw
ings were invested in them he quickly
realizes the necessity of again selling
on the streets. Dick is taken TO Jail,
declaring his innocence and laying
the fraud at the door of his partner
Groods.
The first scene Of the third and last
act is laid on West Twenty third
street, in front of one of the large dry
goods stores. While peddling his
jumping jacks and balloons, Levi spies
Groods, whom he has arrested, and up
on his confession Eagan is released.
The second scene of the act is Lewis
little down town home, to which he
brings the news of Dicks release and
the arrest of the guilty party, Groods.
The play ends with Levi once more in
possession of the money he paid for
the worthless stock, and the reunion
Of Lewis daughter and her sweetheart,
Egan.
The characters Of the play are pro-
nounced types. and they are handled
by cast carefully selected. The whole
or the. supporting company is as ex-
cellent as the star could well have sur
rounded himself with.
The old auction house, the Lexington
avenue home. the scene on West Tween
ty-third street and the little home
downtown, comprising the settings of
the three acts. are elaborate and real
istic.
THE Auctioneer' is termed a char
acter-comedy, but the strain of pathos
running through the play and the ten
der feeling and resignation to things as
they are exhibited by Warfield in the
part of Simon Levi, is a tribute to the
character he portrays.
Mr.. Sol Davis, advance representative
of THE Messenger Boy" Company, is
in the city. making arrangements for
the presentation of the comedy opera
in Savannah next Friday, Nov. 7.
Mr.. Deshon is surrounded with
very capable company of fifty
people, and there isn't a girl in the
chorus who falls below high standard
Of attractiveness. He has some very
clever topical songs to sing and is pro-
vided with very amusing lines. The
production is Identical with that seen
in New York and Philadelphia under
the same management, Nixon & Zim-
norman, and the costumes and stage
settings are elaborate and new.
The sale of seats for the Gagnon- Pol
lock Stock Company opened yesterday.
A lady will be admitted free Monday
night with every paid 30 cents
ticket. The opening bin will
be the sensational melodrama "On
the Verge of Ruin" Polite
vaudeville will be introduced between
the acts