The San Francisco call., 1904-04-26
NEW CLOWN"
At ALCAZAR
Plenty of Dash and Fun in
the Play After 1t Quits
Dragging and Moves Off
GOOD BILLS ELSEWHERE
Pleased Audiences at Many
of City's TheaterS Strongly
Reflect Popular Approval

There is plenty to amuse I'm The New
Clown" a new farce by NJ. PAUL. that
the Alcazar company produced for the
first time here last night The new
clown is an English lordling-the scene
of the farce is English-who believes
he has accidentally drowned his friend.
To escape the supposed consequences
he takes the name and profession of a
circus clown, and the adventures Of the
disguised nobleman among the circus
folk, constitute the play Possibly II
has more point for an English audi
ence. The spectacle Of helpless flower
OF the leisure classes learning to work
and at clOwning-has doubtless for the
English playgoer a keener delight than
for his American brother. But there
is fun for all in The New Clown" and
plenty Of good acting TO make it go. BE
patient with the first act if you go,
sdraggy and incOherent as il is in spite
OF bright spots like Mr.. OsbOurne'
unctuous scene as the original clown.
There is better to follow. an excellent
second act in the circus tent, with the
new clown being put through his PAGES,
and third act with Frances STAIRS
first appearance in-yes, really.
Versatility is the keynote Of the Al
cazar cOmpany's success. and among
the company none possesses the gift in
greater degree than little Miss Starr.
As Dolly, the circus prOprietor's niece,
Miss Starr again discovers new capaci-
ties-extremely pretty, those revealed
by her ballet skirt The portrait is
fun Of character. She gets admirably
the camaraderie, TIE outward vulgarity,
the inner refinement of the circus
queen. and the actress has much TO
thank the author for in the engaging
and wholesome opportunity here given
10 her Miss Starr also sings Isn't II
Lovely to be on the Stage?" with all
the point and vim Of the born soubrette.
The new clown" is undertaken by
John B. Maher, who in point of i'm
portance should have come first
though I'm sure he viii be well con-
tent 10 follow at Miss STAIRS dainty
heels To Mr. Maher's consistent por-
trait. Of Lord Cyril GarstOn the play
is largely indebted for its success. He
is very funny as the helpless dandy.
and finicky, soft-muscled. useless and
yet good fellow at bottom. The con-
trast between Garston and the circus
proprietor. virile. loud Of mouth, kind,
capable, is very effective. Luke
Conners undertakes the circus mans
part with thorough understanding of
its possibilities.
Best or al the smaller hits is George
Osbourne's erring clown. The way he
tipsily says Me drunk" to the land
lord is the fattest Of fat hUmOr. The
little scene is DicSens-like in its COM
.pleteness Of detail. and another ad-
mirable instance of the conscience and
competence Mr.. Osbourne brings TO
the smallest OF his duties. The best OF
good fua, too, is the chesty melodrama
Of Lawrence Grattan as the strong
man. The rest. including the always
welcome Juliet Crosby and Miss Block,
iii in acceptably.
The piece needs speeding, and there is
a ballet too much in the second act,
but the most hardened playgoer will
find something to like in The New
Clown" BLANCHE PARTINGTON.