Los Angeles herald., 1908-03-02


upon a delightful little love scene,
married by the hackneyed device OF q
letter Just received which dispels all
lurking clouds There is still evident,
however, that brilliancy of dialogue
which carried the play to success upon
its first presentation here, and the
same excellence of character drawing
before remarked.
There is, however, one important
betterment. The company, remaining
the same In personnel, has improved
much in method. The players have
rounded out their parts On that first
performance they were nervous, Ill al
ease and occasionally forgetful oil
lines. Last night none of this was
apparent and, fortunately, the inn
provement has come where 1t was
most needed. The Monty Buck OF
1908, for instance, is quite diferenl
chap from the Monty Buck of 1907
though Harry d. Gibbs continues to
play the role. Mr.. Gibbs has fairly
realized his character. He has broad
ened his conception and he has made
Monty Buck a real personality instead
of tailor's dummy.
Miss Roberts Art
Miss Roberts portrait of Katherine
Van Ripper has gained added meaning
last seen here. BY way of illustration
there was bit of acting last night-a
scene in which she spoke not a word
vet told of the struggle within her as
surely as she could have done in an
extended colloquy-that proved her
art. Monty Buck, in the third act
comes to Katherine's home with the
avowed intention of proposing mar
riage. The girl knows it. She has just
learned that the family pearls which
she had hoped to sell in order to ex-
tricate herself from pressing financial
difficulties are sham and worthless,
and she knows that acceptance oi
young Bucks offer will not only ap-
pease her creditors but will win the
commentator of her friends. At the
same time she knows that she has
come to love another man. She must
make up her mind quickly, and she
does it. No word is spoken, but the
audience understands and appiauds'
Katherine rejects the man before ne
proposes. AS he goes out the right
man comes in, and the story is ended
or it should be- There are other scenes
where Miss Roberts shows added pow
er, but none where her art Is more
surely manifested.
MIR. Bergen as Jaffray
Thurlow Bergen still plays Tom Jaf-
fray, the man who awakens Katherine
to a realization of her pettiness. he
makes him a wholesome, breezy chap
of finer clay than the Bucks, father
or son; and if this polish Is over flne'
as it seemed to be at times, doubtless
it is for the sake of contrast ana to
avoid the idea that a Van ripper mar
rying such a man would commit her-
self to mesailliance.
AS for the Others Miss Georgia
Woodthorpe, as the shifting aunt, jeal-
GUS of her waist line, gives us an ex-
cellent bit of character work. MISS
Susanne Siegel, whose home is In Los
Angeles, is pretty as Maud Buck ano
effectiye in the little she is called
upon to do. Louis Frofoff succeeds
only indifferently as jeremiah BUCK
and Helen Orr Daily is colorless as
Clementina Vicers, Katherine's cousin
'Sham' never will arouse enthu-
siasm. 1t is not that kind of pay
but it is one of the most entertaining
and most interesting comedies OF
manners you will have an opportunity
to see in many a day.
Frederick Belasco, head of the firm
which controls the Belasco theatef IN
this city and the Alcazar theater II
few DAYS on business. Mr.. Belasco has
Just returned from a trip to New YORK
where he secured several important
plays for local presentation. Las
night he announced that THE Girl o.
the Golden West" will be produced
here by the Belasco stock company
during the week Of April 6. There
have been many rumors regarding this
play, and definite announcement
now made for the first time.
Mr.. Belasco expects to return tC
Can Francisco tomorrow, but will b'
back again in Los Angeles before tn'
end of the month. He will personally
superintend the staging of The Cir
ne the Golden West" and likewise VIII
be here for several other big proouc
tions which are to be made at the BE
lasco. Among the plays which are t(
be given there in the near future an'
which never before have been seen II
the west are "Clarice," written o.
William Gillette and used by MN II
the east for two seasons; 1.-THE Spon
ers " decentralization of Rex Beach'i
remarkable Alaskan story; AT 1ale,
a college play that should attract muci
attention: IAN Old Sweetheart
Mine" a romance of the western
mains. 1.-THE Power That Governs
which Creston Clarke now is using OF
tour, and Rida Johnson Young's IN
Bows of Company B." which Is TO o.
seen here next week and which re
Gently was presented with great sue
cess at the Alcazar in San FRANCISCO
"The Heir to the Hoorah" Will nav
it's first local stock presentation en- IN
stage "a the Belasco theater tonlgnt
with Lewis s. Stone in the role playe'
at the Mason last season by Guy Bate
Post.
Manager Sparks Berry of the Audi
torium theater is home again from Sal
Francisco, where he went with viev
to securing an attraction for his house
which now is dark, save for an oc
casional concert. Mr.. Berry hopes U
reopen the first week of April with
light operate organization, but nj
plans are not vel definitely hxed'