Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-20
'CHARLEY'S AUNT AGAIN
APPEARS AT BELASCO
TIME-H0NORED COMEDY GIVEN
WARM RECEPTION
Richard Vivian Is the Specially Sc
Iected Cherry on the Top of
the Box as Old
Lady
BY LEMuEL PARTON

week at the Belasco. Last night was
st. Vincent college night, the theater
having been engaged indefinitely on
Tuesday nights by the Athletic associ-
alton of that institution. The effer-
vescent comedy of the piece makes the
usual hit, and Richard Vivian is as
grotesque as ever in the role of the
eccentric old lady from Brazil, where
the nuts come FROM
The Belasco company has the advan-
tage of long experience in the play,
and seems to have used it profitably.
Without exception the parts were well
played, Mr.. ViVian's characterization
Of Donna Lucia being one of the best
roles OF this versatile young actor.
Howard Scott again appears with the
Belasco company as Stephen Spettigue,
the coy old solicitor who makes love
to the bogus aunt. Mr.. Scott frequently
has shown that he is as much at home
In character parts as in his favorite
heavy roles, and he is especially we'll
placed in ''Charley's Aunt
Miss Fay Banter appears this week
with the Belasco company for the first
time, recently having been given a
three years contract by Mr.. Black
wood. Her work was closely watched
by those who have been following her
play affords her little opportunity to
cast light on Mr.. Blackwood's judg-
ment. AS far as her lines allow her to
be judged in the present performance
there is nothing but commendation for
Miss BANTER. She has a good stage
presence, considerable charm and
verve, and should fit admirably into
ingenue roles.
The scenic effects of the piece are
excellent, and the stage business, un-
der the direction Of David Hartford, is
exceedingly well managed.
The attempt of the Athletic associa-
tion of st. Vineent's college to bolster
up it's finances by engaging the Belasco
or one night week promises to prove
a wise one. The house was practically
filed last night, and the verdict on the
play was so universally favorable that
Manager Campbell feels assured that
the weekly theater parties will grow
steadily in popularity.
Among well known persons present
last evening were Mr.. and Mrs. E. H.
Childs, Dr. E. A. Bryant, Allen Han
cock, Isidore Dockweiler, Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas Scott, DR.. George Sabichi, Mr..
and Mrs. Thomas O'Neill, Mr.. and Mrs.
M. A. Wilcox and Mr.. and Mrs. J. J..
Bergin.
s. e. Kiser, in the Chicago Record
Herald, suggests placing the New York
Times in the list Of periodicals edited
b. office boys because a writer for
the Saturday Book Review of that
paper ventured to commend '"The
Wolf" While Mr.. Kiser's structure
may have been a bit unkind it would
seem that some of the press agent no
tices must have found their way into
'The Wolf" which opened last night
at the Mason opera house, is in
tereSting chiefly as a study in the
genesis of play making. 1t is one OF
Eugene Walters earlier and cruder at
tempts, and shows but a faint fore
shadowing of the dramatic power and
mastery Of technique which were to
produce paid in Full' and the ''Under-
tow" Possibly if you did not know
that the play had been written by
Eugene Walter you might pass it by as
entirely negligible but having this in
mind, and expecting much, you are
alert Cor touches of genius, and you
f1nd-only a trace. There is a pains
taking and studied consciousness of
unities of time and place, a commend
able economy of lines, and the display
Of some knowledge Of dramatic hedging
and background, but the modelling was
done with one hand, while the book
of rules was held in the other. Sue
Cessful authors frequently complain of
having to live with earlier creations Of
their genius, but it is seldom that these
Frankensteins of art deliberately un-
chain such creatures of their imagina-
ton when once they have them safe in
leash. Mr.. Walter probably needed the
money.
The play tells the story of a girl who
was deceived and sent to her death in
the Canadian Hudson Bay country.
Her half brother seeks the man and
girl to ruin. The half brother takes
the girl away, but the villain follows.
The men meet in the dark and fight for
life and the possession of the girl.
When Jules Beaubien, the hero, lights
match after a groan and a fall is
heard, it is seen that he has killed his
adversary.
The scenic effects of the produc-
ton now at the Mason are excellent,
especially in the last act, showing
woodland scene, with a river stretch
ing away in the distance in the back
ground. Mr.. Andrew Robson, VINO
takes the part of Jules Beaubien, mas
ters the French h-Canadian dialect with
facility and ease, and at times makes
some of the commonplace lines seem
almost inspired by his excellent acting.
N. Laraia, an orchestra leader of long
experience and who has many friends
in Los Angeles, has succeeded G. M.
Fischer as musical director at the Bur
bank. Mr.. Laraia stepped into his new
position last night Mr.. Fischer, it is
understood, goes to Chicago, where he
will be employed in one of the Vaude-
vile theaters.
The Walker theater offers what is
probably the best bill which has been
put on since it's opening. 1.-The Pipe
Dreamer and the Lady" by De Vaull
and Lotta, is an exceedingly entertain
ing number. The Adler trio exhibit their
skill at club Juggling, and Marvellous
Darnley," the girl contortionist, ties
herself neatly into inextricable knots
for the delectation of the audience.
Her acrobatic feats and graceful dane
ing exhibit a suppleness seldom seen,
and she has several contortionist spe-
cialties that are exceptionally good.
Phil Gordon, another acrobat, with fun
making proclivities, also won the favor
of the audience at last nights per-
formance.
Miss Ida Wharton, sweet soprano,
offers some clever songs, and the mo-
ton pictures round out a good bill.
Blondelle and Coe, who were recently
at Fischer's, appear among the head
liners.
Interpretations