Los Angeles herald., 1908-08-18

BEN DILLON,
Who opens tonight at Fischer's
Fischer's
"Phawt makes the sun riser" asks
Ben Dillon in 1.-THE Irish Twins" at
Fischers, and the house laughs, more
at the comedian than the comedy.
"I dunno" responds James Shaughn-
ran; "mebbe it's the bubbles" Last
nights audiences did little but laugh.
When they weren't busy laughing they
were busy applauding some one Of the
many excellent musical offerings, and
all in all the show Is the best in
months and yet more months, marking
the distinct improvement promised by
the German impresario when he be-
gan reorganizing his forces.
Dillon is irresistibly droll as one of
the twins, and his co-comedian
shaughnran is fully his equal as the
other The fun is all brought about by
the efforts Of the Casey family to
"break into high sassiety," and there's
world of 1t.
Aside from the general gayety of the
play, Fred Lancaster, the company's 8
new leading man; Miss Marguerite
Favan and Miss Estelle Bird con-
tribute delightful musical interploa-
tions. Mr. Lancaster's allotment Is
Dixie Dan, which his rich and power
full voice makes new even though 1t
has been heard here recently. Miss
Favar's what He Wrote On My
Slate" is cleverly sung and presented
with several novel chorus effects.
"Yana San" as sung by Miss Bird is
charming little Japanese number,
and her kiss Waltz" was heartily en-
cored.
An extra rehearsal of '"The Type
writer Girl' was called at the Grand
yesterday morning and the piece was
thoroughly disinfected. AS a result the
features that harvested a large crop of
knocks because of coarseness yesterday
have been eliminated. The play is now
pleasing and harmless.
Kolb and Dill announce a return en-
gagement at the Los Angeles theateI
for Wednesday afternoon and evening
Mr.. York has been called to San Diego
| to arrange the details of their further
tour.
Three large, juicy best quality spe-
cialists and five choice holdovers make
a NduQGN1ll6 Ol1l VI letIO dL lliC vi QllCQIl
this week that can be relished by the
weakest stomach. The Famous -Four
Fords" are easily entitled to the dis
play type as the dish of chief impor-
tance. Dancing not only runs in the
Ford family, but it clogs, pirouettes,
double-shufhes, sidesteps, PAGES and
single-foots. The fact that the world
has been danced to until 1t feels bit
blase on such events makes 1t all the
more remarkable that this quartet can
call forth such a demonstration from
theater-goers. Press Agent Cline puts
special emphasis on the fact that this
stage family" are actually blood rela-
tions. 1t certainly sounds far fetched.
He further AYERS and affirms that they
are Irish-Jews! He promises to pro-
duce pedigrees, and 1t might be well
to wait before passing judgment. It's
Cline's first week on the Job.
Another new speciality of uncommon
stamp is a sensational display OF
motorcycles on g dolls size tea set
saucer track. One ordinary motorcycle
can guarantee a sense of excitement
any time and place, and when three OF
them get into a race on the inside of a
four-foot picket circle it's enough to
make an audience of common pedes-
trians dodge and beat time for their
breath. AS an extra thrill the saucer
fence Is every now and then ho1sted
into the air while the tom Davies
trio keep merrily around at about 800
miles minute.
Mile. Ines and Mons. Taxi, who are
labeled "eccentrique duettists," make
another feature. which is attractive In
lesser degree. Mons. exhibits a voice
that is unlike anything in heaven above
or earth beneath "Voice" is hardly
the word The program says it's an
imitation Of organs and bells, but It's
got organs and bells set away off in a
corner. 1t comes nearer being like a
steam ca1liope, but it's far more en-
tertaining than calliope and has in
addition a sense of humor that makes
It doubly welcome. Mile. sings several
selections during this part of the per-
fornance in an agreeable manner
Katie Barry continues to delight with
brand of comedy that Is wonderfully
clever, even If it is English. The
Basque grand opera quartet and Fred
Singer the violinist, still furnish the
classical flavor to the bill. LaVinne-
Cimaron trio open the weeks festivities
in a comedy-acrobatic decoction that
does well as a pace setter.
Numerous specialties will be intro
duced in "a Contented Woman" when
that popular Hoyt farce is presented at
the Burbank next week. Miss Blancne
Hall, assisted by cnOruS OF tWSAFo
girls, will sing the latest Morosco-
Montrose song, "My Military Maid;
Gerald Harcourt and Fay Banter Will
each contribute specialties, Miss Balm
ter singing BE Good to Me, KID and
the Hewston trio will whistle.
my Military Maid was written Tor
Miss Hall and has not yet been sung in
public. However, it follows close upon
a long list of successes by the same
authors, one of which, "My Sweetheart
in the U, S. A." is now being sung by
no fewer than five musical comedy
companies in the east, while 1t has also
attained considerable popularity in the
New York cafes.
Members of the Lewis S. Stone stock
company arrived in Los Angeles over
the Salt Lake route late Saturday
night. Rehearsals of the opening play,
"The College Widow" which will be
presented at the Auditorium the week
of August 80, will begin Immediately.
Early season bookings at the Mason
opera house include a big musical COM
edy, "The Time, the Place and the
Girl" Cyril Scott in The Man of the
Hour" and Louis James in Peer
Gynt," Mr.. James having secured the
production used by the late Richard
Mansfield