The San Francisco call., 1908-10-13

There are two redeeming features to
The Ameer,' the musical eccentricity
which was given it's initial presenta-
tion last night at the Princess. The
features are the chorus and the cos
tunes, the excellence of which. indi-
vidually and jointly, can not be dis
puted. All the rest of the things that
go to make up a real, rouSing light
opera might also be added to the list
were 1t not for the standard that the
Princess stock company set for itself
long ago. These other adjuncts are
not bad, but still they lack several
things that count in measuring up to
the brand of Princess best"
From the standpoint of staging and
costuming, however, no better produc-
tion than THE Ameer'' has been staged
at the Princess in many weeks.
Through a dozen changes of garb the
chorus dazzles and delights, and the
principals, too, share in the general
brilliancy of gorgeous dress All the
costumes are new, the scenery is ade-
quate and the stage groupings are a
triumph for the man who arranged
them.
Some of the music Isl exceptionally
good and the rest Is merely common
place. Arthur Cunningham carries off
the chief honors in this respect with
couple of individual numbers that
merit all the encores he is willing to
answer. Ferris Hartman makes the
most of the leading comedy part as the
ameer of sAfghanistan,- but the oppor-
tunity for a display Of Hartmanesque
talents is limited, while Walter de
Leon in the second comedy part of
court jester has even less of chance.
Two Princess favorites were missing
from the cast last night Zoe Baruett
has no part in the play and sudden
illness prevented Sybil Page from ap-
pearing at the first performance In
the leading feminine role Christina
Nielsen was switched at the last mo-
nent from the part of Fannie TO that
of Constance while her own part was
taken by Grizella Kingsiand. Both
sang and acted their roles we'll, as did
also Joseph Fogarty as the lord cham-
berlain, Melvin Stokes as the captain
of the British guards and Sarah Ed
wards as Mirzah. ~
CENTRAL
Patrons of the Central theater were
they saw Proprietor Ernest E. Howell
In the leading role in the stirring -meIo-
drama The tn King and Queen of Gam
blers.' The play,fs well supplied with
thrilling climaxes,I and there is also a
very pretty story told of the courage
and honesty of a gambler. One of the
largest houses of the season greeted
Proprietor Howell, and he was. made
by admiring friends, as were also
Evelyn Selbie and Claire Sinclaire
The play is an unusually strong one,
and appealed to the audience last
evening. The characters are taken
from the old days Of the mining camps
near Monterey; Miss sSelbie pleased
the audience. Her part is we'll suited
to her. Howell is also temperamentaIly
fitted for his part in the play. Miss
Bonner. are the villainous trio, and
James Corrigan. Elmer Booth and Alice
Condor supply the comedy. The drama
is well staged and each of the Ave
scenes is good.
NATIONAL
There is good vaudeville at the Ma
tional theater this week. The program
includes several. clever sketches. Rube
Welsh and his four pretty singing and
dancing girls furnish a musical farce
which affords real pleasure. "A Lucky
Liar" is really humorous sketch.
given bv Louis Cheva1ier and his COM
pany. j. e. Neugent, who was seen at