Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-12-20

for the holidays, with a special matinee
Christmas day, and toys distributed
free to all children at regular matinees,
it is sure to fill the place in Los An
geles of those great Christmas panto-
mines which are the features of the
London stages during the holidays,
and to prove superior to them In that
they have action only while 1.-THE Toy
maker combines plenitude of move
ment with spoken and sung words, as
we'll
"The Toymaker" tells the story Of a
Nuremburg maker of toys who has
constructed a wonderful doll. A young
nobleman wants to wed, but not being
, suited with any woman, comes to buy
this doll, which can speak, walk and
sing. He makes a bargain, but the
toymaker's daughter, Elsa, whom the
maker has used as his model and whom
the doll closely resembles, takes Its
place, and Of course in the end, as all
good plays must, all are happy In their
wedding march
Incident to the action are two very
striking scenes, one showing the in
| terror Of the toymakers workshop,
with him making dolls and a host of
helpers; the other showing his toy
shop, with any number of toys all
ready for children to play with. Many
of these toys come to life, dance, sing
of bewildering beauty. During this
scene the toys win be given to the
| children, ostensibly having been made
by the old toynIaker himself. There
will also be toy drills, marches, ga
VOTES and dances, till 1t is a kaleido-
scopic scene of daintiness and lowell
ness.
OF course Mr. Hartman will be the
Toymaker, Grisella Kingsland will be
his wife and tiny "Muggins" Davies
will be the doll, a part in which she is
supremely good. A host of extra peo-
pie of Lilliputian size will be particle
pants and special scenic beauty will
| enhance it all. Special matinee on
Christmas day.
PEOPLES-There is an appeal
about romantic Irish drama which ex-
tends to the people of other races as
we'll as to the Celt. In America plays
of Irish life and patriotism always
have been popular from the time of
Dion Boucicault. through the days Of
Joseph Murphy and down to the pres
ent, when Chauncey Olcott and An
drew Mack and Charles Erin Werner
practically have the field to them
selves Mr.. Werner, who was declared
by a critic In the San Francisco Even
ing Post to be Dion Boucicault's only
legitimate successor, comes to the
Peoples theater this week, where he
will present that play so dear to the
hearts of all Irishmen, "Shamus
O'Brien." The engagement opens with
a matinee performance today and in
cludes a special Christmas day NATL
nee in addition to the regular after
noon performances Wednesday and
Saturday.
"shamus O'Brien," a play in four
acts by Fred G.. Meader and William
A. Floyd, depicts in dramatic form the
exploits in love and in war of the
4 young Irish patriot who headed the
uprising of 1898 and who, after many
daring exploits, was captured by the
British and condemned to death. He
was taken to the scaffold for public ex-
ecution, when in some way he freed
himself from his bonds, leaped into
the crowd and made his escape in the
very hour set for his death.
It is promised that Mr.. Werner will
be surrounded by capable supporting
company and that the famous old play
will be given a production in every
way worthy of its best traditions.
FISCHER'S-Director Frank B. Blair
has provided what should prove a most
!, diverting comedy with musical trim
mings for next week. in 1.-THE Arch
Schemer." The play tells of the mach
nations of a young chap, Jack Hast
ings, in his struggle to win the girl of
his heart. Her father, an old army
veteran takes much pride in his IAN
4 cient lineage" and swears that none
but a true descendant of the Puritans
shall have her. Seeking. therefore, to
throw a doubt into his mind as to the
reality of his own "biue blood" young
1 Hastings foncocts numerous plots. and
eventually succeeds in hoodwinking
both the girls father and his own, win
ming his 81 eetheart after the approved
fashion of modern plays. Miss Libby
Blondelle is the young woman; Ben 7.
Dillon, the father; Max Bloom, a
wealthy sutton for her hand; Laurel
Atkins, the girls mother; Frank Blair,
the young mans father, and Nellie
Montgomery, a pert young housemaid.
In the allotment Of musical numbers,
Miss Blondelle has been provided with
"Feed the Kitty; Aubrey Carr. BLOW
Glad I'm Single" and Miss Montgom-