Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-24
The Weeks Bills

MASON-"The Virginian"
BELASCO-'Under the Red Robe"
AUDITORIUM-'La Tosca."
BURBANK-"A Temperance Town."
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
GRAND--''At Cripple Creek"
FISCHER S-"Browne's Nephew"
EMPIRE-Vaudeville.
UNIQUE-Vaudeville
VENICE-Circus.
TIME passing of George Barnum
from the dictatorship of the Be
lasco theater is an event of more
than ordinary moment in local the
atrical annals, and of unusually Keen
regret. He lays aside his authority to-
night. Hobart Bosworth taking UP his
work a week ago.
George Barnum is an actor of the
highest class. He is artistic to his
fingertips, a student, an indefatigable
worker and a tremendously thoughtful
and earnest man. He is, as a player,
seldom equaled on any stage, and es-
pecially in stock work. He has created
several very notable characters during
his stay, among the latest being that OF
Nathan'l in "Shore Acres" Leschet In
Business Is Business s'-perhapS MS
greatest role--the dear old doctor IN
Heidelberg" and others of like Import
and merit. Never once has he failed to
bring out every fine point in his de-
pictions; he has clothed all with the
glamour of romance, as well as the
fidelity of actuality, and his portrayals
have been marked by artistic balance
and ability quite remarkable.
AS stage director Mr.. Barnum's sue
cess has at times even overshadowed
tA fhn naG o.
corning; it has always equaled 1t to
the expert critic No theater in the
United States has put on more natural,
artistic and satisfying ensembles,
scenically and personally considered,
than he has shown on this stage. Some
of his efforts have been almost un-
believable. His reproduction of the
Mission San Gabriel in Captain Cour-
tesy" was so fine that every night the
action of the play ceased while the
audience applauded vigorously the
mere scenic effects. In 1.-THE Admirable
Crichton," "Shore Acres" Knight
hood" heidelberg" and a host of
Others that might be named, his mas
ter hand might be easily detected.
In his handling of players this genius
was not a whit behind. A disciple
marian of the strictest sort, he ruled
with a rod of iron, but he secured re-
suits such as no other stock house in
the country could produce. Casts were
almost invariably admirable in their
selection; their training was up to the
last cry, and the stage pictures his
people made were true to nature, to
art and to beauty. He had the finest
conception of effects and studied de-
tail to nicely. The result was that
Los Angeles frequently saw eastern
successes given with better people, bet
ter scenery, better effect and ensemble,
than was the case in the original-and
the writer knows, for many of the
things done of late by the Belasco
company were seen by him In the east.
Triumphs such as this are all too few
In stage annals. and Mr. Barnum may
we'll be content to rest on his laurels,
earnestly and honestly won here.
1t is greatly to be hoped that this
sterling actor and gentleman will con-
sent to remain here as a player only.
His place in the Belasco company as
an actor alone will be hard to fill. The
tremendous burden he has borne In
the dual capacity has often tested his
health, and while he asserts that 1t, is
unimpaired, his friends have felt for
some time that he was undertaking too
much. With the stage dictatorship off
his shoulders he will have better op-
portunity TO develop his artistic
care and preparation, and to win even
higher favor and fame than has been
his lot so far, great as that has been.
But II he designs to return to the
east, where royal welcome awaits
him, the good wishes and best hopes of
all Los Angeles will go with him, and
a multitude OF sincere admirers and
deep and true friends will wish him
"Godspeed"