Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-20

1t was an asCetic-almost a stole
Santa Claus whom Harry Girard em-
bodied at the Burbank yesterday in
the one-aet operate curtain raiser
which lends variety to the third week
Of "St. Elmo" This was due in part,
no doubt, to q persistent hoarseness
from which the popular singer suf-
fered. Despite the handicap. he sang
the pretty lyrics of Harry Rowe-Shel-
ley with good expression, and was
heard to better advantage in the scene
wherein Santa joins in the chorus of
nuns from the orphanage in which the
operetta Is laid.
Santa Claus" is tuneful bit of
drama. relating in the spirit Of
Christmastide the visit of its hero to
Roman Catholic institution in which
an orphan girl awaits his coming with
undaunted hope. As he gives her the
toys from his pack one side of the
room becomes transparent and we see
the chapel of the Orphanage. and above
the altar the chorus of White-garbed
sisters, singing q Christmas anthem.
OF plot there is little, beyond the
qualification of the little girls desire
FOR holiday pleasures, but the lyrics
are clever. and the score, with its
syly descriptive minor airs, is de
lightful. Mr. Girard would suit our
notions of Santa Claus better if he
made up bit more rotund, but other
wise his impersonation of the familiar
old nursery figure was pleasing. MISS
Ollie Waters was a charming httIe
waif, watching with eyes of Wistful
wonder the sudden apparition OF
Christmas cheer in the person of
childhood's hero The chorus sang in
good accord, and the light effects IS
the chapel scene were well handled.
ifG third week
yesterday, and appeared to delight the
two audiences without stint The cast
remains unchanged. and the stock
company members are now enaCtlng
their roles with the precision of a
fortnight's experience. This is posi-
lively the last week of the present en-
gagement, which has proved so popu-
lar that a later revival of the piece is
among the possibilities.
An entirely new version of the
Passion play by Lion MargraVe' who
will be sole actor, will be presented
with stereoptiCon views at the
Blanchard Symphony hall December "A
from u to / p. m. 1t is in three acts,
and is condensed for this first presen-
tation from three-hOur version. sue
cessive scenes depict the Desert the
Leper the Vale Of Tears, the Noun
the Pharisees. the Grave of Lazarus,
Gethsemane, the Precpice the Cruel
fixion and the Tomb of Christ.
Interest is keen in the plans for the
coming dance Of the Theatrical Treas
urers' association, January IA, in the
Goldberg -Bosley assembly rooms. SIX
beautiful loving cups VIII be presented
TO the three most attractive couples
participating in the prize waltz. The
Judges Of this dance will be John
Blackwood. Oliver Morosco Julian
Johnson. George Edward Graham and
w Herbert Blake. Harry Girard VIII
direct a musical and literary enter
tainment in connection with the dance,
to which the principals of the King
Dodo" company. then in town, VIII
contribute. A new song by Joseph
Montrose will be sung. and the dance
music viii be under the direction of
J. \. Laraia, Burbank orchestra
leader. in charge Of thirty musicians.
There will be thirty-two dances, in
addition to the concert program. The
grand march at midnight will be led
bv Dick Ferris and Miss Florence
stone. The members of the association
from whom invitations may be pro-
cured are Joseph Montrose, George NJ.
Clayton, Ira Joseph. Ralph Lamme,
George IbauuIdlhs " imam 80 ft''s'
Arthur Dentler and Leo Wells.
Tho scat sale for tho mammoth Avia-
ton week benefit Of "The Toymakar'
bv Ferris Hartman and his singing
company at the Grand on Thursday
afternoon opened on Saturday to a
brisl; demand. Every cent of the pro-
ceeds will go toward the aviation fund
the Stage Hands and the Musicians
11,9tf11rr Ia GBt.Nipp= of t1n
mechanics and musicians at the Grand, !
while the printing, posting of paper
and other details have been so allotted
that at least 500 seems assured to
the fund. Special songs and jokes
bearing on events during Aviation
week viii be introduced.
"Tho Devil and Tom Walker"
tabloid musical comedy founded on
the fancifu adventures of Mephisto
and a southern darky, Will headline
the new Orpheum bill this afternoon,
with John b. Hymer and company
of ten presenting it. Ben Welch will
be seen in his Hebrew and italian inn
personations; Katchen Loisset' a
singer with trained pigeons and
bulldog. and Nittoria and Giorgetta,
eduilibrists. being also new. Edwin
stevens will put on a new playlet.
"Guardy:" the De Haven sextet, Milt
Wood and IIoward's Shetlands and
dogs hold over. New pictures will
complete the bill.
The Orpheum road show is now In
San Francisco, and reports compare it
most favorably with last years enjoy
able performance.
Santa Claus is already making his
bcadduarters for the theatrical folk at
the Orpheum, and packages are accu-
mulating so fast that a special room
viii be set aside for thcir accommo-
dation.
The Belasco theater company viii
open tonight in Leo Ditrichstcin's
farce Are You Mason which VIII
continue throughout Christmas week.
The piece has been one of the most
successful laugh makers Of the Eng
disappearing stage, Regular matinees
viii be given ON Thursday Christmas
day and sunday.
At the matinee tomorrow of "The
Toymaler" at the Grand opera house
Ferris Hartman win present the chill
dren with free toys.
The new Christmas week bill al the
Los Angeles theater Will open with
the regular matinee today, headed by
the GudloNsli troupe of Russian sing
ers and dancers from the Imperial the
alter, St. Petersburg. and the Ernest