Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-03

Charlotte Parry, in 1.-THE Comstock
Mystery" in which she portrays seven
distinct characters in twenty-five
minutes, is another number which
should prove interesting.
An incorrigible first nighter who saw
"The Greater Claim" at the Burbank
Sunday makes a discerning suggestion
regarding the condensation of the last
act. which a consensus of critical
opinion has declared desirable. The
suggestion Is simply that the third and
fourth acts be consolidated into one, the
call by Bishop Mcclure being made
rather casual than judicial and com
ponent part of stones scheme to COM
promise the rector. To this end the ap-
pointment which the actress makes
with Stone to call on the rector might
be made at II, rather than midnight
equally compromising and also permit
ting the discovery Of the stones, the
visit of the bishop as part of pre-
arranged test by Stone and the gripping
battle between the principals to follow
between then and midnight.
The suggestion seems fairly reason
able, providing though 1t does for a
degree of petty shadowing on the part
Of the prelate to which few church dig
nitaries in real life would stoop. But
the play itself provides for practically
the same thing, and under the circum-
stances perhaps so much may be con-
ceded to stagecraft. The idea is sub
mitted for what it may be worth, with
the additional notion, which is the
writer's own, that the entire play could
easilv be compressed into an action OF
twenty-four hours duration, change
which would impart greater celerity
and tension to its climaxes and incl
dentally would fulfill one Of those time
= Nf Ian A1-av1 n w
modern playwrights are showing an
increasing tendency to return.
Fischers last night staged the second
of Allen Curtis musical burlesques
THE Jolly Widow" being an obvious
travesty on the Merry" relict of recent
memory. A review will be published in
tomorrow's Herald.
Kelly and Violette. who appear for
their second engagement this week at
the Unique, were accorded a cordial re-
ception Monday night. The songs in
troduced are we'll selected and the
gowns worn by Miss Violette are at
tractiVe. Extra mention is due MI
Kelly for his excellent rendition of
1.-THE Rosary" his voice being espe-
lette claims that the beautiful lace
wrap worn by her during the act is
more than 100 years of age and was
beuueathed to her by her grandmother
Steele and McMasters, who were en-
gagged at the last moment to replace
the Marvelos, present fancy trick
skating act which is out of the Or
dinary.
Will Cartons Maid of Dundee" was
the Offering of the Unique players and
was we'll received, James Kelly as the
Irish detective, who aspires to be sec
ond Sherlock Holmes; Al Franks as the
German tourist and Miss Massey as a
spinster aunt have the principal comedy
parts, but were ably assisted by Denton
Vane as the breezy hotel clerk, Herbert
Cramer as a do or die lover and Miss
Nav Parker and Miss Hazel Salmon as
the prima donna and soubrette respec-
lively of the Maid of Dundee" musical
comedy company. The songs interpo-
lated are catchy and were well rem
dered. An illustrated song and motion
pictures complete the program
Kolb and Dill will return to the Ma
jestic theater early next month, when
they will present several new plays
which Mr.. Kolb secured on his recent
trip to New York city, and which are
by Aaron Hoffman. who wrote "Ihe
Politicians" and other of the Kolb-Dill
successes. Their engagement here, be-
ginning September 5, will open their
season. and thus Los Angeles audi
ences will be the first to see the new
comedies. All of these details were
definitely settled in wire Manager
oliver Morosco received last night.
Negotiations had been in progress
some time, and, while Manager Mo-
rosco had to cancel two of his early
season bookings and transfer others to
later date, he feels that he has ac-
complished something worth while, as
both Kolb and his spatulated partner
are tremendously popular here. 1t Is
understood that overtures were made
to them by another house, but they
decided to return to the Majestic. They
will probably come to Los Angeles at
least a fortnight in advance of the
opening and hold their rehearsals here.