Los Angeles herald., 1909-02-01

In the sacrifice of the faro game one
Of the most dramatic incidents Of the
play, as well as one which adds greatly
to the character incident of the piece,
is lost.
Those who have seen other perform
ances Of 'The Spoilers" agreed yes
terday afternoon that A. Byron Beas-
ley's portrayal Of McNamara was the
best yet given. Mr.. Beasley finds a
part admirably suited to him, and plays
it most intelligently and capably. You
see clearly the strength, will and pur-
pose Of the man, as well as his villainy,
and you feel intensely the struggle be-
tween elemental forces in the clash be-
tween Glenister and Mcnamara.
Mr.. William Desmond's Glenister is a
fascinating type of adventurer, possi-
bly, bit more conventionalized than
the original, with the reversion to the
primitive not quite sufficiently shown.
Mr.. Desmond's Interpretation of the
part is artistic in every detail, and
seemed to delight the audience, which
packed the house to the remotest cor
ner of the balcony.
Miss Mary Hall grasps the emotional
possibilities of the role of, Helen Ches-
ter with admirable ease and clearness
OF perception. At no times do her lines
reach really strong climax, but there
is a requirement for varied moods, and
at times for passionate intensity, which
Miss Hall meets admirably.
Mr.. Harry Mestayer appears as Dru-
ry Chester, the "Broncho Kid" Mr.
Mestayer's performance is noteworthy
in that he gives the exact shade of col
oring to the character as that in the
book. The Kid is the same embittered
reckless outcast as Rex Beach con-
ceived him to be when he wrote 'The
Spoilers
Mr. Earrxy C+oaj-L-sl-o,. c<,
S1mmS is one Of the best character bits
which Mr.. Stockbridge has yet done
HIS makeup is excellent, and he
achieves the exaggeration required in
the part without making it seem un-
natural or grotesque. Miss Lowell Alice
does not quite succeed in lifting Cher
ry Malotte out from between the book
covers where we left her several years
ago. The Cherry we first knew was 2
woman of deep, strong impulses, and
OF passionate unrestraint, with a, bet
ter nature, hidden, but always sug-
geSted. Miss Taylor's Cherry does not
rise to these emotional heights. and is
shrewish where she might be compel.
l1ngly and dangerously vindictive and
accusing.
Technically there are flaws to be
round in 1.-The Spoilers" notably in the
loose exposition Of the first act, which
might better be accomplished in a shori
prologue; In the uncertain tempo Of the
piece, and in the rather forced climaxes
but some of the most entertaining and
thrilling plays have been as full OF
technical defects as a burro is of burrs
And this is what 'The Spoilers'' is
entertaining and thrilling, with atmos-
pnere, color and action, well worth
seeing.
Mrs. Wigs of the Cabbage Patch
will open tonight at the Mason opera
mouse. The play comes to Los Angeles
with a good cast, new scenery and q
most enviable record in its tour OF
America and Australia.
Little Red Riding Hood" is the
weeks offering at the Auditorium. Mr.
Crawford already has demonstrated the
SoundnesS of his new venture in run
n1ng spectacular musical shows, and il
is said that the latest fantasy is a vast
Improvement on the preceding one.
"The Girl of the Golden West" opens
at the Belasco theater tonight for I
| second week with Lewis S. Stone as
Ramirez and Florence Oakley in the
| title role. When Manager BIackwooC
| of the Belasco company announced thai
the play would be given, he also stated
II would run for one week only, on ac-
count of the contracts he held for other
plays, but owing to the fact that many
hundreds of Los Angeles theater-goers
nave been unable to gain admission tc
witness the piece, he has been Obliged
to give way to the popular demand and
continue 1T for another week. This
Will make the eleventh week that this
play mas been produced by the Belasco
company within the past eight rnonfhS
and the advance sale bids fair to an
other week of crowded houses