The San Francisco call., 1904-07-11
WESTERN DRAMA
WINS APPLAUSE
''The Hon. John North"
by Bashford, Well Played
by Stockwell's Company
GOOD BILL AT ORPHEUM
'Mr. Barnes of New York"
Capital Entertainment at
the Grand Opera-HOuse

For two acts THE Honorable John
North at the California last night
looked like "a rattling success" s"-what-
ever that may happen to mean. The
Honorable John North" is of local
growth, political SATIRE in four acts
! (per programme). by Herbert Bash
ford, who is well known to the local
magazine readers. L. r. Stockwen and
his company produced the play, in
which they have toured for some time,
1 and in which they hope to take New
York.
| For two acts one saw no reason why
they shouldn't. Though the comedy is
not political satire. nor indeed
So tire of any sort; 1t is bright, original,
amusing-for two acts and part of the
third. The people in it are live people.
The situations are possible and neatly
posed. The action is quick, the dia-
logue bright and above all these is a
fresh Western tone to the piece that
comes with agreeable pungency to the
jaded appetite. The Honorable John
North is a Seattle politician running
for Governor, and a divorced man with
a second wife, with strong prejudices
aGainst divorce, and whom he has
therefore kept in ignorance of the fact.
He returns from successful campaign
to find his first wife installed as French
teacher to his second wifes daughter,
and with a pretty blackmailing scheme
for his own annoyance.
One is plunged without ado into the
heart of the story, that goes with a
swing until the third act. The author
! has prepared for the disaster. however,
by giving the adventures an imposSi-
BILE pretended son in the act before.
This son, Chimmie Fadden sort of
chentleman, hides behind a piano and
plays a hoodlum Banquo at a banquet
| in the good old conventional farcical
fashion, and Mr.. Bashford becomes i'm
mediately unconvincing where he be-
comes conventional. New York looks a
long way off for the honorable John
during this scene. Yet il were easily
redeemable-space alone debars me
from the essential suggestion. The
fourth act picks UP again, and the play
as whole leaves a distinctly pleasant
impression. The wholesale laughter and
applause last night testified to an un-
common enjoyment on the audiences s
part.
Mr.. StockwelI has gathered clever
company together for the production.
As John North he is himself ably hu-
morouS and convincing. Mrs Belmour
is admirable as Mrs. North. and Miss
Nevada Hefron is an excellent adven-
Count looking for an heiress is delight
fully clever, and Miss Harmon, Louis
Belmour. Marion Drewe and Maurice
iyde-Chick all deserve more than mere
mention BLANCHE PARTINGTON-
The Orpheum bill this week pleases
both young and old. A collection of
first-class talent is on the programme.
and all of the numbers bring response
ha in he Of
hearty applause. Valerie BerSere opens
the week with the popular playlet,
"Billie's First Love-" The production
is a favorite and was gracefully acted.
Henry Keane sustained the role of Bill
lie PaW Maude Turner Gordon played
Ozette. the French gayety actress. Miss
Rergere will conclude her engagement
with His Japanese Wife" which viii
begin Thursday afternoon and continue
during the rest of the week.
George w. Cunningham and Geneva
Smith epen in a clever acrobatic sketch,
"A Perfect Paradise" They introduce
a trained dog. Zero" and the trio af-
ford an abundance of fun. Walter lie
Roy and Florence Clayton made a de-
cided hit in an Irish comedy, "A Horse
on Hogan" and Etelle and Babette
d'Arville. acrobatic singing girls. intro
duce many new features in their line.
Harry Setback punches the bag in a
"a shion that would bring envy to pro-
fessional pugilists. He entertained the
audience for many minutes and his
work was out of the ordinary line.
Green and Werner, as babes of the
jungle. are heartily encored Gillihan
and Murray. singing and dancing come
dians. continue to do excellent work.
The Leigh brothers. acrobats. and the
motion pictures. all of which are new
and interesting, complete the show.