Los Angeles herald., 1909-09-14

third act we all but lost the crucial
thread of the action through inability
to understand him. The character Is
inarticulate in the scene, true. But the
player must only seem to be. We must
hear him and understand him, else the
thing is impossible. Serious effort can
correct this error, and it should do so,
speedily.
A pleasant feature of the production
was Mr.. Farnum'S generosity in the
matter of curtain calls. On the play
bills he is the star. On the stage he
was simply the courtly gentleman-al-
ways in character, always Cameo Kir-
by. And he rightly shared the honors
which he might have monopolized-
however undeservedly. 1t was a trifle,
but, as I have said, it was in charac-
ter, for Cameo Kirby would have done
that very thing. 1t was the spirit of
the chivalry of the older south, now
fast passing.
John Mason opened a two weeks
engagement in his great New York sue
cess, 1.-THE Witching Hour" at the
Auditorium theater last night. Both
star and play have been so widely ad-
vertised that their premiere here was
regarded with interest, and the body,
balcony and gallery of this beautiful
theater were filed with eager play
goers.
Few recent events in the dramatic
world here have held the interest
which attached to this opening. There
were three individual charms of un-
usual potency. First of these is Mr.
| Mason's ability as an actor. Since his
last appearance here with Mrs. F'iske
in 1.-THE New York Idea," Mr.. Mason
has created this role and has made II
a remarkable success, but the artistic
excellence of his work in former roles
has been remembered by his Los An
geles admirers, and they anticipated
his stellar appearance with pleasurable
| excitement.
The fact that Amelia Gardner plays
a strong and grateful part in this pro-
duction was another factor in arousing
| interest here, for Miss Gardner made
many friends when she played leading
| roles at the Belasco, and these loyal
supporters will thoroughly enjoy the
| chance which is offered to see her in
| so splendid a play.
| The production has been brought alb
salutely intact from New York; every
| book, picture, chair, carpet and dra-
perry is part of the original presenta-
ton. The scenic pictures are beautt-
| full, with the charm which perfection
of detail givess, and the parts in the
| drama are admirably cast.
The opening of the play last night
was marked with generous applause
and Mr.. Mason's advent, one minute
| by a greeting which was almost over
powering In it's evidence of friendli-
ness. Miss Gardner, too, received a
| welcome which must have convinced
her that her friends were legion an
that all were present for her opening
night.
Each act was marked by many cur
tain calls, and both the star and his
supporting artists were obliged to re-
| spond again and again.
Manager Behymer was justly graft
| fed at the generous reception accorded
star and play.
The production will be criticised at
length in tomorrow's Herald
The Belasco thcater here has been
| chosen by David Belasco to be the
"tryout" house for all the plays here
| after to be seen on the stages of the
New York Belasco and Stuyvesant
playhouses. Frequently these tryouts
will be under David Belasco's personal
! supervision. During the present sea-
son two new plays-one intended for
Blanche Bates and the other the new
| Wlrfleld play-will be seen at the local
Belasco. Lewis Stone will have tie
Warfield part and That's Magrane that
of Blanche Bates. One of these plays
will be produced next January. The
new Dietrichstein piece, "Is Matrimony
Failure?" will also be produced at
the local Belasco soon.
1.-THE Squaw Man. continued to draw
well last night, when it opened it's sec
ord week, which Manager Blackwood
declares will be its last. owing to press
| ing demands from Henry B. Harris that
| Classmates" be played on schedule
time.
The Out West Club will send a dele
cation of 1870 to attend 1.-The Squaw
Man" Friday night as a compliment
to Lewis Stone who is a member.
They Will be garbed in cowboy attire.
The spot of particular brightness on
the Orpheum bill which opened yes
| terday afternoon is that occupied by
Wilbur Mack and Nella Walker, with
their musical Irritation" entitled "The
| Girl and the Pearl" Miss Walkers
smile alone is enough to electrify the
corpulent cars painted on the back
| drop which represents the railroad sta
tion locale of the skit Mr.. Mack's
songs are well known-such as Just
Suppose and Mandy, 1 Love You"
pleasingly. The patter which fits in as
filler between the layers of song and
dance is bright and new
Human butterflies, indeed, are the
Curzon sisters. Clinging with clenched
teeth to whirling apparatus, high in
| air, they do an elaborate drapery dance