The San Francisco call., 1907-03-19
Loyalty Of Former
Patrons Remains
Unaffected
By james Crawford

With the opening of the new Alca-
zar Theater last night many playgoers
were restored 10 their own
OF national repute was the loyalty of
the old AlcaZars clientele. but this was
never so strikingly demonstrated as
by its refusal to accept any substitute
pending the construction OF a legiti-
mate successor to their fallen temple.
For exactly eleven months its members
declined to attach themselves, indi-
vidually or in mass. to any other homes
of drama, and last night they celebrated
the close Of their self-restrictive sea-
son by filling the new house to the
doors.
II was good to see and hear them
congratulate each other and the man
agement upon the rehabilitation. They
praised everything and everybody con-
nected with the enterprise that had
reassembled them. The steel-and-c CON
crete solidity Of the structure. the
means taken to assure safety in the
event of fire or panic. the beauty of
the decorations. the elaborateness of
the stage pictures, the excellence of
the players-alI were eulogized before
first curtain-rise and between the acts.
Nor were they stingy in bestowal of
tokens of their approval.
When the first note from the or
the house bursting into brilliance the
audience cheered Director Lada, and as
theSplay PROGRESSED it's action was in
terrupted by applausive greeting as
each old favorite appeared. while the
newcomers received most hearty en-
couragement. And after the second act
the ushers were kept busy handing
floral offerings across the footlights
until the stage was crowded with them,
&
liver q speech, and very neat bit of
impromptu oratory IL was
The Altar OF Friendship" by Made
line Lucette Ryley, was presented as
the most available medium of intro
ducing the entire company in congenial
roles. 1t was played here about alhalf
a dozen years ago by Nat Goodwin and
Maxine Elliott in the leading parts, and
! now say conscientiously that its
high-priced production on that occasion
was in no respect superior to that given
for half the money by the Alcazar peo-
pie Scenically nothing more elaborate
has ever been presented here. His
ironically a better first performance
by a stock company I have never wit
messed.
It is one Of those English drawing
room comedy with a pretty
plot, a great deal OF epigrammatic
QldlOEut dDU HoL Ktit ENdI-
acterization. But IL was an excellent
vehicle for ventilation of the Alcazar's S
resources.
Laura Lang, the leading woman, is
equipped with the personality that
pleases the beholder Of either sex. and
also with a keen knowledge Of the
technical requirements. Her role does
not afford opportunity for emotional
display, but several times she gives
hint that she is equal TO strong exac-
tion in that line.
Bertram Lytell is a handsome young
fellow who acts with nice discretion.
and ] predict for him a brilliant course
at the Alcazar- Daisy Lowering, the
ingenue. has plenty of dramatic force
at command and enough personal grace
TO adorn whatever picture she is in.
Marie Merle is another new actress here
who promises well.
Among the old local favorites are II.
d. Byers Harry Pollard, Fred J. But
Ter, Ernest Glendinning. Edgar Frank
lin, Albert Easdale. Walter Belasco
Adele Belgrade and Louise Brownell
all OF whom are nicely fitted in the
play.
In his curtain speech Butler proposed
a toast to the~success of the new Alca-
zar and Managers Belasco and Mayer,
and the audience. in lieu OF having the
wet goods requisite to a practical re-
sponse. cheered long and Justify
Here's to them.