The San Francisco call., 1904-04-04
PIANO
THOUGH BLIND
Tom the Negro, in Return
Engagement, Shows Him.
self a Remarkable Freak
EIGHTEEN CARAT FARCE
'McFadden's Flats" at Cali
fOrnia Proves One of the
Funniest of Productions

While Blind Tom may not be the
most marvellous genius living''-per the
billboards-this negro pianist is a quite
remarkable enough sort of person. He
reappeared here at the Orpheum last
night-its a long lane that does not
lead to the Orpheum-after a ten
years absence from our shores. Blind
Tom is still the big. music-ridden child
of ten years ago, with his singular and
pathetic air of an inspired Quasimodo.
His performance is the same and he
applauds it himself with the same
quaint and pitiful naivete. 1t con-
sisted last night of two solos, the quar-
tet from "Rigelotto," arranged by
List, and the "Gondolier Intermezzo"
that wasn't.
The selection was mistaken. Indubi
tebly it is not as rival to Harold
Bauer that Blind Tom shines. His play
ing, all by ear. is wonderful enough in
that way, and it is further informed
with a pretty tenderness of tone and
feeling. He has, too what would be
called a neat technique, if it had been
made in Germany, and an astonishing
memory. But as a serious pianist he
is simply not on the map. Again, what
the Orpheum wants is the freak. Blind
Tom is the best musical freak l know.
His recitals here of ten years ago at
tracted musicians of all sorts through
his varied feats of memory and tone
making.
He was supposed to be able to repeat
note for note anything that was played
TO him, and people were invited from
among the audience to furnish teSt
pieces. Needless to say, he could not
do this, but the number of right notes
he averaged, together with the gen
eral wonderful resemblance of the
transcription, was of the extraordi-
nary things. However, the pianist was
eXcellently received last night.
Another good number on the bill, that
throughout is above the average, is
the dancing dervish Omar, in AN
Evening in Persia" Mr.. Omar. in a
setting worthy of the Arabian nights
and a ballet skirt worthy of Held, sets
himself spinning until every one but
himself is dizzy, and ends UP as sober
as a Buddhist bonze.
La Belle Guerrero has new sketch
this week, La Gitana.' in which she is
as tigerishly graceful, impassioned.
vivid, as usual. The four Welsons do
some excellent acrobatic stunts. and
the rest of the numbers are yester-
weeks. BLANCHE PARTINGTON.
The funniest show that has invaded
the footlight domains of this city in
many a moon is on at the California
They call il "McFadden's Flats" and
while the name savors of those fierce
transforming productions the public
has been forced to endure time and
time again. it is a genuine 1S-carat
farce comedy, full of funny sayings
catchy songs. pretty girls and in fact
everything that one generally sees in
a real laugh-making layout.
The plot is one vast eXpanse of nom
sense, yet that nonsense is so ridicu-
lously funny and so fast and furious
that it touches the right spot and one
gees into 'convulsions of laughter in
voluntarily. There is no particular star
in the cast-every one takes turns at
being headliner and when a multitude
of clever people get together, as in
NcFadden's Flats" and hand out
their witticisms, they are bound to
make hit.
Jerry Sullivan and Walter Bramb-
lette, diminutive creatures who pose as
yellow kids, will not be forgotten for
some time. The things that Sullivan
does and says are original and really
funny. His side partner, while not be-
ing so conspicuous, is funny all the
same and a glance at him is enough.
Joe Z. Willard, who appears in the role
of the German, has lot to say and do
and says and does it all to the tune
of the laughter of those present. Teddy
Simonds, the king of the ward. other
wise McFadden, is a show in himself
and does his share of the work Wood
ruff Alexander the tramp of the out
fit. has great makeup and is a very
versatile actor.
Belle Gold and Ada Boshell. the fem
mime leading lights, make impressions.
Both act we'll and Miss Gold is a very
clever soubrette. The chorus is one of
the best that has ever been seen here.
Each girl is petite and winsome and
their songs are all new and catchy. The
costumes are striking and the girls ap-
pear to advantage when the colored
lights are turned on them.
The Alameda Lustspiel Ensemble
gave the last of its winter season of
at the Columbia Thea
ter last night. The German play THE
was admirably presented,
and proved a great mirth provoker.
Max Horwinski Jr., In the leading role
Of Otto Won Griebenow, showed mark
ed dramatic ability. Among the ladies
the honors were carried off by Miss
Johanne Strausse. Mrs. Frieda Shan
ley and Mrs. Josephine Lafontaine-
Neckhaus. Arthur Becker was the
stage manager.
The Norris & Rowe circus attracted
great throngs at Mechanics Pavilion
yesterday afternoon and evening. The
and the crowd encored the clever acts
x,y;iI H. ~ a. l.;