The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-15
THE HAM TREE
RICHLY LADEN
Mcintyre and Heath, Aided
by Many Fair Choristers,
Present a Rousing Show
AT OTHER THEATERS
By james Crawford

| title of Mcintyre & Heath is of ex-
ceptional value to any amusement ven
ture with which it may be connected,
for the clever pair of burnt cork come
dams have been so long before the
American pubic-thirty orNmore years
that they attract folk who have
passed the frivoling stage of life as
well as succeeding generations of fun
seekers.
Thus it came to pass that in the
Novelty Theater last evening were
many people who are seldom or never
found patronizing such stage offerings
as THE Ham Tree" in which Mcintyre
and Heath are stars, with enough peo-
pie of the other kind to fill the house.
The Ham Tree" is a development of
vaudeville sketch, 1.-The Georgia Min
strels.' in which the two negro imper-
senators made fame and money, and it
is also what in stageland is termed a
| production" which means that much
| of its interest is dependent upon spec
| tacularism All of the scenery had not
arrived last night. nor did the numeri-
cal strength of the feminine chorus
corroborate the advance announce
ments. but the inanimate features of
satisfy and there were enough fair
choristers to NIL the stage when they
appeared en- masse. which was seldom,
for in groups ranging from six to
twelve strong they were mostly pre-
| scented.
The press agents assevervation that
| the oldest of them has not attained her
twenty-second year must be ques-
toned. but his claim as to their comeli-
ness is conceded. Statuesque show
ladies and stunted "broilers" alike are
blessed with physical graces which are
not obscured. The variety rather than
the quantity of texture shown in the
I a.. L I'll
boast that several railway cars are
employed to transport the costumery
alone.
There are three acts of alternating
comedy and girls The first is a pre-
lude to the old Georgia Minstrels'
sketch, the second largely taken up by
the sketch itself, and the third is an
appendix, which seems rather discon-
nected with the sketch. Indeed, neither
the book nor the music amounts to
much. The former is weak-spined and
the later is about up to the standard
of George Nj. Cohan's compositions.
But the two funny comedians are there,
and so is q comic juggler named Fields,
and so is young Mr.. Bowers. who sings
Justify, and so are several other char
acters, who serve to keep the action
going while the girls are changing
garb. Mcintyre and Heath and the
girls are the mainstays of the show.
Songs that win encores are Sweet
hearts in Every Town" a geographical
nomenciatural ditty sung by Mr.. Bow
ers and the girls; "Good-by Sweet Old
Manhattan Isle" by the same people.
and ION an Automobile Honeymoon.
by the same people. The opening and
closing choruses are big both sartorial-
ly and unsteady. the minstrel parade
that concludes the first act being a
Kaleidoscope wealth of color.
T.. L. -
laughter and applause as to assure for
it profitable week
THE MASKED BALL
Angelo Antola at the Central Theater
demonstrated beyond cavil last night
that his audience, in following the ad-
ventures included in the book of
Verdis Masked Ball" was still devot-
ed to the sentimental ballad. 1t was
sung in the third act. where the
wronged husband laments his woes.
Renate, the secretary to the Gov
ernor of Boston. impersonated by An
tola. is not above planning an assassi-
nation, which he proceeds soon to do;
but, as a fitting preliminary, he sings
the ballad. His tribute came to him
swiftly and spontaneously. He Ian
guished and the auditors were thrilled.
He let his voice sound mellow as a
French horn, and the people leaned
back and gasped "Ah" audibly. Then
came the patter OF gloves like a hail
storm; then cries of "bravo.' many
times repeated then a vociferous de-
mand for an encore
Maltide Campifiore was the vocal hero
inc. She had a song that gave her depth,
| fiexibility and sweetness Of voice full
play. and she made good in more re-
spects than one. Guido Cecotti a new
tenor. also appeared. He has power
and uses his voice well. The music
assigned to his role of Governor" is
devoid OF cadenzas and their kin. and
| has no call in it for robust high c.
But he made a pleasing impression.
based largely on his certainty of tone
and his abundance of good chest notes.
velia Giorgi sang the role of Amelia.
The first act was weak. The third was
strong and Giorgi then earned the APP
plause that 'came TO her alike in duet,
quintet and ensemble Lambardi as
Samuel was effective as usual, with an
abundance of voice.
AS a whole the opera went off well.
1t was well conducted and the effect
was so pleasing that all the leading
people were called before the curtain
at the close of the last act
COMEDY AT THE COLONIAL
1t is safe to predict after seeing the
initial presentation of The Professors
Love Story" at the Colonial Theater by
NJ. Barrie's pretty comedy will be one
of the successes of the season.
Frank Bacon has. in the character of
Professor Goodwillie. a part that seems
to have been planned especially for
him. He is one Of the lovers that all
the world loves. although it takes him
three acts to discover that he has for
gotten his scientific lore sufficiently to
lose his heart to his pretty young sec
reary Lucy White. Izetta Jewell, as
Lucy, is natural and charming enough
to make one understand why the pro-
lessor succumbs to her in spite of the
Vaccinations of his cynical sister, Ag-
mes, we'll played by Marie Baker. and
the scheming Dowager Lady Gliding
which part is made the most of by
Maud Odelle.
A. Burt Wesner is exceptionally
good as DR.. Cosens. the professors
college chum and physician. who dag
noses his complaint as love and
watches the symptoms that bear out
this conclusion with great satisfac-
ton. Mr. Wesner makes 1t one of the
most pleasing parts in the cheerful
little play.
The other characters are all wen