The San Francisco call., 1907-01-27

buster Brown succeeds Isabel Irv-
ing at the Novelty Theater.
During the seventh week Of the
Lamoardis at the Central Theater Mas
eagni's Iris will be heard in its en-
tlrety for the first time in this country.
and La Traviata,' "OtellO" and La
Gioeonda' revived
Henry W Savage's production of
The GallOper' viii be San Francisco's
hrst opportunity since the fire to see a
real big comic opera.
Creston Clarke will be an early at
traction here.
The new Van Ness Theater viii he
ready for occupancy early in March
and the opening attraction will be an
nounced in few days.
lillian Russell seems to have done
better with her second venture into
liSht comedy. The Butterfly is meet
ing with considerable success and her
tour in it is to be extended to the
Pacific Coast. She has Just signed a
contract for seven years with Joseph
Brooks. Next season Mr.. Brooks in
tends to revive Sheridan's school for
Scandal" with the fair Lillian in the
role of Lady Teazle.
In an interview with the representa-
tive of the Theater Magazine, Edna
May said: My smbitioP is to have a
home, husband and children" HeN
ideal husband is man of at least 4ON
one who has pleEty Of brains and
never gives in to his wife's whims,
but kindly and firmly has his own way.
In the new play that is gradually
fomenting in the seething brain of G.
Bernard Shaw. the theme will be the
system of English law, the chancery
courts especially being made the butt
Of his shafts. This play will be broader
than mere satire-Shaw has confessed
it to an intimate friend-for it will be
unqualified candid burlesque Poking
fun at the conventions is Shaw's regu-
lar pastime and regular business. but
in this instance he viii make no at
tempt to disguise his motives or his
methods.
]. A. Fynes has announced that he
will present Gerhard Hauptmann's pO-
etic drama. Hannele." at a Broadway
theater the latter part of January or
early in February. Godfrey C.. Stein
has been engaged for the role Of the
schoolmaster, the principal part in the
play.
speaking OF actors ana OF the pre-
vailing fancy for limitations. the Bill
board recalls the story of how Edwin
Booth once initiated himself. It was at
his brothers benefit and he was stand
ing in the wings while an actor was
giving limitations on the stage. One Of
the limitations was to be of Booth, and
in spirit of fun the great tragedian
offered to go on and give the imita-
/ tion himself He put on the actors
wig and went before the fOotlights and
delivered Hamlet's soliloquy. The next
morning the papers spoke Of the i'm
persOnation as wretched. and bad
enough to have made Booth shudder il
he had seen it.
Martin Beck, general manager OF the
Orpheum circuit, will leave Chicago
soon on a tour of Europe in search OF
new talent for the Orpheum and Kohl
and Castle houses. He will take an
American automobile with him and
every mile of a four months journey
will be made in this vehicle.
Daniel Frohman has selected the cast
of "'The Spoilers" which is to be given
January % in Baltimore. 1t includes
George osbourne as Dexttry.
Mrs Fiske may visit this coast next
spring.
Constance CrawIey will soon derart
for Italy. where she will present
Shakespeare and D'Annunzio dramas
and negotiations are almost compIete
for her to present Ibsen and Bioruson
in Norway and Maeterlinck and
Shakespeare in France and GERMANY.
Her experience in California has not
been pecuniarily encouraging.
oscar Hammerstein is now planning
to take his new Manhattan Opera Com
pany on tour of the principal cities
when its engagement in New York;
shall have been concluded. 1t has bed
several years since any big organiza-
tion save the Metropolitan forces has
made trip across the continent in
French, German and Italian opera.
Miss Estelle Wentworth has replaced
Miss Truly Shattuck in the cast of Miss