Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-29
OBSERVATIONS BY
A FIRST NIGHTER

IT Asst week at the Los Angeles theater
l we had first performance on any
- stage. Next week at the Auditor
ium we are to have another one. The
Auditorium play is the work of Los
Angeles woman. Mrs. Gertrude Nelson
Andrews wife of Fred G. Andrews busi-
ness manager for Dick Ferris. 1t has
Dawn of Tomorrow This is cumber-
some title and must inevitably be dis
carded later. The play is not problem
drama, but has to do with the tyranny
of mother love. 1t has been accepted
for early production by the Schuberts,
with a likelihood that ALA Nazimova,
the gifted Russian artist, will play its
leading role. The part is to be created,
however, by Miss Florence Stone.
SHAM" which had it's first production
at the Los Angeles last Thursday night,
has in it the makings of vastly d.
verting little comedy, comedy, too,
from which the moral Is not lacking. It's
lines snap and scintillate with all the
unexpectedness of Chinese firecrackers
on dry night. Its characters are real
persons, not puppets, and its situations
are never strained. To be sure 1t needs
tinlkering-what new play does not?-but
this tinkering once accomplished, Sham
should have a pleasing and a prosperous
season. 1t wants action, it wants diff
ferent ending and 1t wants a revised
and abridged first act. Much action tho
comedy does not need. but 1t needs
more than has been provided.
Just when we are to have the privilege
of seeing Katherine Emmet, the new
leading woman at the Belasco, in a role
worth while is not quite clear. Last
week in Lord and Lady Algy" she neg
lected what few opportunities the part
afforded her and in so doing 1 believe she
did well. Much depends upon first i'm
pressions and had Miss Emmett played
this "horsy" part as it should have been
played. she undoubtedly would have Gre
ated an unfavorable impression. This
week the bill Is the old and shop-worn
"Charley's Aunt" farce that will give
Miss Emmet less chance than the Carton
comedy. Doubtless there, are good man
agerial reasons for presenting these
plays at this particular time but they
are somewhat inscrutable to the lay OBJ
server.
The success of the Burbank's special
matinee last week gives good promise
for the future. There are many fine
one-act plays, plays that are miniatures
of artistic excellence, and 1t is matter
congratulate that Manager Morosco
has decided to give us more of them
i
to players at other houses to attend last
Thursdays performance was generally
accepted and the body of the house
showed many professionals
Wedding bells rang for Ollie Mack last
week and there was no echoing clang
from the patrol wagon gong as certain
sensationalists had led us to expect there
would be. All in all the publicity given
to Mr.. Mack's domestic affairs in certain
newspapers was a sad commentary upon
the taste of persons who enjoy reading
such stuff. OF course it was advertising
and 1t may have brought few dollars
into the Grand box office, though ! doubt
1t; but on the other hand it provided eff
fective ammunition for those persons who
habitually inveigh against the stage as
immoral. Mack didn't seem to mind the
row, nor did the woman in the case, who
took every means in her power to secure
publicity for matters better left undis-
cussed, at least by others than the in
dividuals directly concerned.
There are many bright lines in Marry
ing Mary which Marie Cahill brings
to the Mason this week. Here are a
few of them:
Drinkwater "a perpetual tippler, to Mary.
thinking she is the maid)-If you real
good I'll give you a kiss.
Mary-I never take liquor in any form
Col Cupepper-A gentleman never gets
drunk before breakfast.
Mary Ito her pastor)-You have paid me
such sincere compliment that 1 going to
be guilty of an indiscretion; am going to tell
you the truth.
Mary confesses that she is married already.
or rather married.
Her pastor-Dear, dear me-and the dear de-
parted?
nu.su-..uu-..u-.u-u