The San Francisco call., 1905-03-21
Ward MGAlliSter Has
Opportunity to Act
ClGVGrlg.
Fashionable Gather
ing at California
ThGdtGr.

MY nelghbor asked: Miss Anglin
is a Californian, isn't she?"
She's San Francisco-made as an
actress, anyhow" the next man said.
That was after our Margaret" came
on last night to stop The Marriage
Of Kitty" several moments bowing to
The salvos that greeted her.
The Marriage of Kitty had rather
a haro time generally at the Califor-
MA last night To begin with, quite
the largest and most nearly decollete
house Of the season kept the curtain
OF the comedy down until some min
utes after half-past 8 with its leisurely
arrival Then when Hall McAllister,
carefully kalsomined-as Charlie Ross
used TO say--as TO sidelocks, arrived
on the scene, The Marriage of Kitty
was postponed for several more noisy
moments. Frank Workings entrance
caused another lengthy and violent
interruption, and the bouquets and
applause Of the second act carried the
comedy still later. In short, il was a
California occasion. a welcome truly
Californian and a most auspicious
opening Of most handsomely promis-
ing season
Miss Anglin was wise TO open with
q laugh, and not with tears" as she is
said 10 have said Of the choice of The
Marriage Of Kitty" For herself. in
her meter Of high comedy-here bor-
dering on delicious farce-the role of
Kitty offers delicious opportunity. For
Frank WOrthing, admirably accom-
pished actor, the comedy affords an
equally happy medium in the role of
Fittys husband. And for Hall Meal
lister. who two years ago left here a
mere legal light, the part of the en-
chanting kftty's godfather offers such
starful opportunity as to make one
wonder If his success is due TO the
role or 10 the acting A couple of de-
lishtful servants parts, and that of
Jealous Peruvian person" complete
Tho cast. by the way.
French, delightfully."- French-in the
best sense-is this adaptation Of Cosmo
Gordon Lennox Of this comedy by
Aadame de Gresac and Monsieur F. de
GTOisseL
Kitty is a young English woman left
al The death Of her father with ex-
actly e97 shillings and-AIiss Anglin
VIII tell you the exact amount-to live
upon for the rest Of her life The first
scene finds her consulting her god
father as 10 the various occupations
for Women-where she says: Mani
curing, after The Gay Lord QueX',"
the audience laughed gaily with the
former Sophie Fullgarney. She at last
suggests that gOdpapa shall find her
husband. The husband turns within
the hour. A client Of the godpapa. who
is desiroUs Of marrying the lady his
uncles VIII has forbidden him TO mar
~. comes to find out some wav of
evading the law. The lady also comes
TO consult the lawyer. Mr.. McAllister
end the distinguished legal crowd on
the other side Of the footlights found
fraternal fun in the scheming Peruvian
persons remark: You're a solicitor.
aren't you? Its your business to
evade the Law. isn't it?"
In the ensuing evasion Of the law.
Kitty comes in. Travers-the god
father-suggests that Belsize shall
make marriage of form with some
one. divorces her after a 'reasona ble''
period. and then marry the Peruvian
person. The Peruvian person at first
demurs, then consents. They leave
The Office for the lawyer to make ar
fangenents with the extremely attrac-
tive Kitty.
The next act finds Miss AngIin in
stalled in the luxurious home her hus-
band has provided for her Here he
comes 10 make arrangements for the
divorce. and Of course falls in love
with his wife. Their mechanical love-
baking before the servants-gradual
becoming the real thing-is the best
of fun.
As Kitty. Miss Anglin, though a lit
ue-more than little-nervous last
night, has never been seen TO fuller
advantage. Her art has ripened,
brOadened and cleared itself of some
mannerisms that threatened seriously
70 impair ii when she was last here.
Il is freer. lighter, firmer in touch
more elastic; more sustained; more fin
ished
Frank Workings rather dear. silly
sort Of husband was the character to
the life. Most easily and subtly every
phase OF the character was suggested.
Most attractively though. he fully IL
Eliminated most the husbands weak
ness. Mr.. Worthing most cleverly sug-
gested his thorough likeableness 1t was
acting Of the best. even more finished
and fluent than one aforetime remem-
bers of Mr.. Worthing.
Mr. McAlIister brought a forensic
clearness of delivery to the part of
the godfather: indeed, Mr.. McAIlister
brought handsomely all that was nee
essary TO the best handling Of the role
The little, stiff, dry manner suited it.
self admirably to the part. and alto
gether the lawyer-actor showed
throughout a suppleness and ease
. that are nothing short of remarkable
for his brief experience. Upon Mr..
McAllister fell the duty of the one
short speech Of the evening, and he
showed in making il the same aplornb
and naturalness that distinguished
him throughout the evening Miss
Cartwright as the Peruvian person
was another Of the distinct hits. and
emphatically The Marriage of Kit
~" is TO be seen.
BLANCHE PARTINGTON.