The San Francisco call., 1905-06-23
GOODWIN ART
At ITS CLIMAX
He is Seen to Superb Ad-
vantage in "A Gilded Fool"
Now at the Columbia
PLAY SUITS HIS GENIUS
HnmOr and PathOs Blend and
Audience Beholds Great
Actor i'm His Zenith

Ii only to hear Nat Goodwin say: ..Oh.
yes, know the value of money" as he
tells in the play how for want of 1t his
mother died, "A Gflded Foor' is worth
while 1t is an exquisitely handled bit
OF pathos. exquisite in restraint, ex-
culsite in truth. Then after it Mr.. Good
win has the audience choking again over
the awkward sweetness and sinplicities
OF his Chauncey Short He runs the
most attractive gamut of his art in this
play and last night was in finest fettle.
one realized anew what difficult person
ne Is 10 play with. Even Miss Ruth
Mackay-and Miss Mackay is an ad-
nnrabiy human creature-appears slightly
artificial In Mr.. Goodwin's trying en-
vlronment- These are the actors last
appearances in the comedy and those de-
sirous Of retaining the memory of Good
win In one Of the best of the genial,
lovable, awkward. sterling characters he
best affects should see him here
Miss Mackay has little to do. but does
that little with charm and distinction in
the part of Margaret Ruthren. Miss
Flora Parker has the role of Nell Ruth
ren and is quite piquant in a rather
hammered fashion therein. But why does
Miss Ruthren's stage manager permit her
TO make love to her audience TO vile,
scold and tease them instead of the stage
fclk2 He shouldn't. George Mendum
is again clever. If a little montonously so,
In the role of the old maid.
Ellie Norwood is a villain of not too
painful sort as Banister Strange. He
is sincere and convincing. Best of the
men outside Of Mr. Goodwin is. however.
Nell O'Brien. who is all but as good as
Goodwin as the valet. Laughter we'll
earned falls also TO a capital bit of &C.
~T-9-
Post. and Norman Tharp is boyish and
sincere as DuvaL
The audience was large and moved to
easy mirth throughout the play. 1t runs
Until Saturday night only. T. Daniel
F'rawley in ''Ranson's Foi:y" comes on
Monday evening.
BLANCHE PARTINGTON
Florence Roberts has no better medium
through which TO demonstrate her talent
than in the soul-stirring German play,
.Magia," which was presented for the
nrst time this season az the California
last night. From the moment the shape
ly actress appeared fresh from her tri-
umphs OF the festival until she sank in
horror and despair before the spectacle
of a dying father she held her audience
spellbound. At times her hearers reused
themselves from their tense interest
enough 10 grant her vigorous applause,
but for the most part the house was as
quiet as the grave save for the people
of the stage. Miss Roberts is wonderful
in many plays. but in none more so than
in "Magda-"
William Yerrance in the part of the tot
tering father portrayed the rigid dis
cipiinarian 10 the letter. His work was
above reproach and received much justly
merited applause. Lucius Henderson as
the pastor was very convincing. His
beatific countenance and gentle manner
would remind any one of bishop. Her
sehel NAVAL played the part of the hypo-
critical Dr. Won Keller in an excellent
manner. The audience started to hiss
him once for his villainy other audi
ences used to hiss his opponents at the
Central The others of the cast furnished
admirable support.
The special season thus far has been so
profitable that Miss Roberts at the Cali
fornia has decided to add two more weeks
TO the original engagement of six weeks,
which will bring the close of her engage
ment UP to the middle of July.
On Sunday night and all Of next week,
with the exception Of the Wednesday
matinee, Miss Roberts will be seen in her
most brilliant emotional success, "Ca-
mule" At the Wednesday matinee she
will give one special performance of Ib-
sens fascinating psychic story, "A Dolls
House" which will be of special interest
from the fact that it will be the first
San Francisco appearance Of Miss Rob-
erts in the leading role of Nora She will
be supported by Herschell Mayall as
Krogstad; Lucius Henderson as DIR.
Rank; William Yerrance as Thorwald
Helmer; Louise Royce as Mrs. Linden,
and others.
The remaining two weeks OF the Rob-
erts season Will be devoted to revivals
Of her two greatest triumphs. Tess of
the d'Urbervilles" and ''Zaza."