Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-02
ENGAGEMENT
OF MRS. FLSKE

geles perhaps the finest dramatic organ
ization of the day, and a play that has
been the talk of New York for a year.
Their advent after an absence Of three
seasons is an event of unusual moment
in local dramatics and will undoubt-
edly merit the distinction and interest
which has ben aroused in it ever since
it was announced.
That Mrs. Fiske is the especial OH
ject of ennity on the part of the SYM
dicate which attempts to monopolize
the high-class theatricals of the coun-
try is we'll known, and this accounts
for the fact that the trust house here.
as Is the case everywhere, is closed
against her. This persecution on the
syndicate's part, carried on in the
smallest manner and most despicable
FASHION, has done her no harm, and
thousands who like fair play and de-
cency are her friends and applaud the
plucky fight she is making against such
overwhelming odds. Los Angeles. which
abhors all forms of oppression, is mar
ticularly loyal to the independent fight |
in it's heart.
or both play and players much NAV
be said, but the verdict to be passed
Monday night will cover the artistic
side of this question. Personally. per- |
haps few words will be of interest. |
Or Mrs. Fiske, who heads the or
ganization, and whose method of act
ing strikes the dominant note in its
performance, it Is almost unnecessary
to speak. She occupies a prominent
position among the women of the Amer
lean stage, and no actor is more high
ly appreciated by lovers of dramatic
art In its most intelligent and natural
form. In the past decade Mrs. Fiske
has built for herself a repertoire of
more than score of plays, ranging
from tragedy to comedy. No actress
has shown greater versatility or artis
tic activity. Her standards are the
highest on the stage
John Mason has been the leading man
of the Manhattan company since it's
inception. His schooling was had in .
the famous Boston Museum company
where he rose from minor to leading
parts. At one time or another he has
supported many of the prominent wo-
men stars; has been star himself in
Friend Fritz" THE Altar of Friend
ship" and other plays, and has figured
in countless other productions.
George Arltss was first seen here with
Mrs. Patrick Campbell on her first tour |
His splendid acting in a new series of |
character parts in Mrs. CampbelPs com
pany made American managers eager
r n n fc l..
spicuous member of the original cast
of The Darling of the Gods" and after
the close of that engagement he was
secured by Mrs. Fisxe and has been for
three seasons with the Manhattan COM
pany.
Dudley Clinton, another new member
or the company, makes his first ap-
pearance in America with Mrs. Fiske
after successful period on the English
and Australian stages in comedy roles
Robert V. Ferguson has been a we'll
known actor since the "palmy" days
and the list of parts he has played
would run into the hundreds. He has
hlled many engagements with Mrs
Fiske, his most notable role being thar :
of Sir Pitt Crawley in Becky Sharp"
Dudley Digges, before joining the
Manhattan company this season. was .
associated with William Butler Yeats in
establishing the Irish National theater ;
in Dublin and with Ben Greet's com !.
pany.
Marion Lea is an American actress
VINO has played on both sides of the !
Atlantic. When Mrs, Langtry revived :
AS You Like It. in London Miss Lea
made striking success as Audrey. She .
has toured this country with the Ken .
dals. She is an accomplished comedi- :
enne and has the woman's role next in :
Importance to Mrs. Fiske's in THE
New York Idea" This is her first an
pearance With the Manhattan company. .
Ida Vernon celebrated this season her .
hftieth year on the stage and looks ;
back to the long list of successful parts
at the head of her own company and !
with most of the prominent PLAYERS Of ]
that period. Mrs. Fiske herself was :
once member of Miss Vernon's COM :
pany.
Blanche Weaver is a character wo-
man of tried ability, who appears with .
this company for the first time. Emily ]
Stevens is Mrs. Fiske's cousin and the
youngest member of the famous Mad
dern family now on the stage She a
has had her stage training under the
direction of Mrs. Fiske, in whose COM
panies only has she acted. Belle Bohn
has also been developed by Mrs Fisl,a
and beginning with minor role has
since been entrusted with characters j
of Importance
Frederick Kerby, James Morley and !
Charles Terry are lesser members Of
the company, but relatively speaking ]
their acting is on par with that of
their most conspicuous associates. A
notable feature of Mrs. Fiske's offer I
ings has been the excellence of the Z
acting of every role down to the !
smallest, and as is shown by the records
the minor members of Mrs. Fiske's ]
cast have often risen to much higher
places.
''The New York Idea" motif is the di-
vorce problem now agitating New York. t
While comedy it calls for much skill c
full acting and measure of serious /
work. It has everywhere met with a 7
most cordial reception. '
To the generosity of Manager Oliver :
Morosco are the Manhattan company t
and the Los Angeles public indebted /
for Mrs. Fislke's coming. The unusual t
demand for seats indicates very plainly
the great success of the engagement. I
Stage Makeup Real Art
N actress is compelled IN use