The San Francisco call., 1903-09-08
CLEVER ACTING
At THE ALGAZAR
Florence Roberts Salts
hes Audience by Emo
tiOnal Work
Grand Opera Delights Tivoli
CroWd-Other The
1aters.

BY the grace Of a two weeks run I
made my late acquaintance with The
I-uwelcome Mrs. Hatch" last night at the
Alcazar. along with an audience that
matched the first nights in size and
noise. The week has doubtless added
much TO the smoothness Of the perform
ance. It went on rubber tires last night
and as a production is one Of the most
satisfying the Alcazar has offered Of late.
one has learned to look for at least
one important novelty during the annual
visits Of Miss Florence Roberts to the
Alcazar. This year the popular actress
has TWO TO offer. in D'AnnuRzio's La
Gioconda." -" 10 be presented for the first
time here on Thursday afternoon next,
and the current bill, THE Cnwelcome
Mrs. Hatch" a comedy boy Mrs Burton
Harrison. The Harrison play proves to
be a particularly happy medium Tor MISS
Roberts. Further il is a play Of sus-
tained and at times striking interest and
lends itself luckily TO the Alcazar re-
sources. Its central episode is one TO
command sympathy and Mrs. Harrison s
handling Of her material is throughout
effective and unhackneyed. The motive
Of The play-the love Of presumably
erring mother for her daughter-attracts
the maudlin. but the player has neatly
avoided this pitfall. In the humorous ana
orlosophfc fiber Of the character Of Mrs.
Hatch Mrs Harrison has saved 1t from
.re iulpending sentimentality, and in its
sensitive impulsive. willful quality Is
greverlv suggested the reason for the
--onau's separation from her cold-blooded
husband.
Tn the first act the mother, who has not
seen her daughter for twelve years, ac-
~o~dine To the promise returns 10 ner
home On hearing Of the girls coming mar
rage. She implores her former husband
re~nission TO see the girl, and the first act
has a striking scene between the mother
father and the lawyer who secured their
divorce She received the desired per-
mission 70 see the girl at picnic given 10
street waits in Central Park, but may not
sneak with her. The scene with the chill
dren is handled with a good deal Of point
and fun in the production, some very
clever little likes taking part ollie Coop
er's cynic remark on the wonderful dra-
son story Of Mrs Hatch was a particular
IN bright spot. However the climax was
reached when in East Lynne fashion
Mrs. Hatch returns 10 her home in dis
guise as a dressnla keT's assistant, TO try
on her daughters wedding gown Here
she meets the second wife, the other
woman" Of her story. and the scene be-
tween the two crackles. The rest is
explanation and the death Of Mrs. Hatch.
All Of Miss Roberts good conscience and
familiar sincerity are in best evidence in
her Mrs. Hatch. She suggests the mother
hunger with a sweetness never overdone.
flashes into a convincing fury at meeting
the woman who wrecked her home, shows
graceful gentleness and dignity in her
relations with the man who would marry
her, and presents throughout a well-bal-
anced, thoughtful portrait She shows all
Of her accustomed emotional grip in the
big scene. Perhaps there is a tint too
much of the Bohemian in her first scene
with Adrian. a. recklessness that is not
wholly in keeping with the situation.
But il is one Of the best things Miss Rob-
erts has given US, rounded out and
smoOthed into q very human convincing
whole.
There are many good points in the sup
porting cast. Miss Virginia Brissac as the
daughter being prominently among them
Miss Brissac is a clever young woman
with an sppealingly girlish air. a pretty
voice and general attraction Her GLADYS
was conspicuous for its dainty simplicity
and charming naturalness. Marie Howe
has done nothing better than her old Irish
servant The role is a good one. and
Miss Howe brought a strong sense Of fun
and refreshing buoyancy to its acting
The men comparatively have small