Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-08
THE CAST
BY sIDLE LAWRENCE

Henrietta Oliver .............. Blanche Hall
BY sIDLE LAWRENCE
k<TTNHE WRONG MR.. WRIGHT"
Broadhurst's farce, which
Il served the late Roland Reed as
starring vehicle for several seasons,
was pleasantly revived at the Burbank
yesterday afternoon, a large audience
attesting it's appreciation by much
applause and frequent laughter. The
play was first produced about fifteen
years ago. It's survival affords con-
vincins proof, il proof were needed, Of
it's merit.
There are good lines in "The Wrong
Mr.. Wright" The farce, however,
does not depend for success upon the
brilliancy of it's epigram. 1t tells an
amusing story and tells 1t understand
ingly. The fun arises through case
of mistaken identity in which a Cali
fornia millionaire Is confused with an
absconding cashier formerly in his en-
ploy, and is finally arrested for steal
ing $4,000 of his own money. Then,
by way of sub-plot there is the device,
almost as old as farce itself, of the
mistress and maid who change places,
the maid for a lark and the mistress
because she wants to satisfy herself
that ONE man will love her for her
self alone and not for her money. AS
matter Of course the man appears,
proposes and is accepted; while the
masquerading maid breaks into the
peerage by enslaving Lord Brazenface
to such an extent that he declines to
chuck her. even when told of her posi-
tion in life.
A Millionaire Spendthrlft
There is nothing new in the farce;
nothing indeed, that was new when 1t
was written. but the story Is funny,
the complications ludicrous and the
the character of the parsimonious,
money-grabbing millionaire, who sud
denly becomes a spendthrift under the
influence of pretty woman; there is
fun in the character Of Lord Brazen-
face, who is "such a killer" where
women are concerned; and fun, too, in
the painstaking efforts of the maid to
play the lady. And there Is fun
plenty of it--in the development of the
story.
A. Byron Beasley plays the part of
the rejuvenated millionaire, while
Blanche Hall is the provoking cause
at once of his amazing liberality and
of the annoying predicament in which
he finds himself Miss Halls role is
described upon the program as FIN
de steele" detective. In the years that
have elapsed since the century's end,
however. the art of detection seemingly
has advanced in a marked degree,
which, perhaps, Is fortunate for So
ciety. The woman detective In this
farce Is too tender-hearted for her
Job What she lacks in shrewdness
however, she makes up in feminine
charm. Isadore Rush used to play the
role in tailor made. somewhat mannish
attire. Miss Hall plays 1t in fluffy ruff
fes. The contrast in method, too, fol-
lows the contrast in costume.
Mr.. Beasley's millionaire is an ex-
cellently. humorous CHARACTERIZATION.
marked by all his usual skill in the
delineation of an eccentric comedy
part. H. ]. CHM does his best work
in many months as Lord Brazenface.
Henry Stockbridge Is amusing as a
bell boy; and William Desmond Is I'M
pressive as an American army officer.
who falls in love with the million-heir-
ess even when he supposes her to be
servant.
The farce has been produced under
the direction of oliver Morosco, and
Mr. Morosco has devised picture for
the close of the third act that is fun
nier than anything. in the play.
The condition of Miss Alice Treat
Hunt. leading woman of the Belasco
stock company, was said last night to
be more encouraging than at any time
since her illness took a serious turn.
The actress has had long. hard siege
of it, but she has made brave fight
and now seems on the road to recov-
cry.
Miss Eleanor Kent, prima donna of
the Edgar Temple opera company dur
ing the Auditorium engagement of that
organization, will go to the Princess
theater. San Francisco. for a season of
six weeks. beginning June 29, to sing
leading roles. She is now at Bremen
ton. Wash, the guest Of naval friends.
Arrangements have practically been
completed for the appearance Of Nance
ONeill and her company at the Audi
torium for two weeks, beginning June
20. Miss O'Neill will play the roper
toire with which her name has been
associated for several years past, pre-
senting in addition one play that will
be new to Los Angeles:
It is quite probable that Los Angeles
will have a season of opera by the
Pollard Liliputians. Negotiations are
now in progress which may bring the
company here, either to the Peoples
theater or to the Auditorium. The
chief stumbling block seems to be the
prospective attitude of the Humane
society agent, in his enforcement of
the child labor law. 1t is likely, now
ever, that this phase of the matter
can be adjusted, as the company Will
not reach here in any event until after
the schools have closed for the sum-
mer vacation.
Chorus rehearsals for the burlesque
season at the Grand will begin at that
house this morning, under the direc-
ton of George Towle.
Robert Martell will open a weeks
engagement at the Mason opera house
tonight in king Lear"
The change of bill at the Belasco to-
night will bring to that stage Clyde
Fitch's play, "The Girl and the Judge"
with Joseph Galbraith and Florence
Smythe in the leading roles.
A stock company is to be formed
TO take over the management of the
Theater Royal the incorporators in
which will be w. M. Melton, the pres
ent manager; his assistant. r. l..
James; All G. Flourney, A. L. Franks,
Lon Farrell and Eddie O'Brien. Mr..
n ranks. who goes to the Royal from
the Empire, June Is, has been producer
at the latter house for 1853 weeks, and
during that time has never missed a
single performance.
r0-..a DaIocoo ond RIanCha Rates