The San Francisco call., 1910-07-18
SCARLET JOKES
DAZZLE AUDIENCE
White Rays Beat Down on the
Singer, Who Also Tells Some
Good Stories
Statuesque Adele Blood Helps
EXpOund Oscar WiIde'S
Near Philosophy
By ARTHUR L. PRICE

Violet rays suffused Edwards Davis
In their esthetic light at the Orpheum
yesterday afternoon. They will con-
tinue their delicate suffusion while
Davis appears in his interesting medley
of Oscar Wilde's violet epigrams, COM
pressed into Davis drama atization of
Wilde's novel, THE Picture of Dorian
ticated scope the beauty of Miss Adele
Blood who graces so statuesquely and
elocutionarily Davis production.
Violet is not the usual chromatic
scheme of Orpheum acts. The bland
white light which beats about James
Thornton, the singer, song writer and
story teller, is more al home "a the
vaudeville game, as is the black and
white effect that encircles Travato and
his violins. But Davis, in the place of
honor and violet rays, clipped off
Wilde's epigrams successfully.
But speaking of the program in terms
OF the chromatic scale, the bill is a
rainbow-there is every sort of variety,
from the jokes on Adam, which the
i5raceless Cain must have invented and
which Thornton tells with A sanctimo-
nious look that is irresistible, to some
modern novelties in the way of trained
bears and an educated ant cater.
QUESTIONABLE JOKES
This is a good week for theater par
ties at the Orpheum-there are enough
good things in different lines to enter
tain any collection of folks. But for
the sake of the chaperon Thornton
might leave out few of his jokes, one
d problem play.
But to turn from the scarlet to the
violet rays:
In his violet vaudeville Edwards
Davis, once a clergyman in Oakland
has prepared a tabloid Wilde. Within
span of 90 or 25 minutes he has
crowded glittering array of Wilde's
half philosophy, surrounded 1T with
some action, sumptuous stage setting
the radiance of Miss Blood's beauty
the pleasant singing voice of TemplaI
SAKE, his own talent as an actor, which
has not left him since his PASTORAL
days and the unquenchable violet lights
Wilde's epigrams are ever worth listen
ing to. a typical one is, The easiest
way to get rid of temptation is stC
yield to it," The playlet is a fragile
chain on which gems of that sort daz-
zle. There is some demand for dramatic
action by Miss Blood in her role of Do
rian- Gray and she meets it with hei
fascinating profile turned to the audi
ence and no more could be asked
Davis gets in moment or two of rea
action and with effective elocution re-
cites several stanZas from Wilde's
poem, The Ballad of Reading Gaol,
which is done SO well that the pale es-
theticism of the sketch is forgotten.
LOOKS DON'T COUNT
James Thornton was greeted as the
old friend that he is when he came or
toward the end of the bill. He look:
az humorous as a mummy, but looks
cont count. He has the house crack.
ling with the mirth he distributes
Then he sang a few songs of his OWL
aud was called back to continue his
droliery, but in little speech plead.
ed for consideration for other numbers
on the program as a reason for moi
responding with more songs and say
Ings. Reluctantly he was allowed tc
retire.
stirring new number on the pro-
gram was THE Imperial Musicians.
They start their act with solo to the
accompaniment of chimes which does
not promise the whirlwind of humorous
III WHICH lilc luili al tCi
some good trombone, cornet and other
instrumental renditions of classic and
CLASSY music the troupe comes or
with a descriptive piece, "A Farmers
First Visit to New York. The theme
is not as new as an aeroplane, but the
way it is carried out is quite as eX-
citing The blonde and the brunette
who, in their brass stages, play on the
forty dozen instruments and imple-
ments surely earn the alcohol rundown
their arms must get when their viva
cious task is over.
BEARS IN CIRCUS
Prof Apdales geological circus eX-
hibits some astonishing bears, and the
new motion pictures are interesting.
OF the holdovers, of course the high
est favor goes to Travato, who is &
continuous headliner. This week to ado
to his fame for versatility, he plays d
duet with himself, planting his two
violins between his knees and bowling
simultaneously with his right hand
Fanny Rice is as jolly as ever. Marion
Murray and her company in "The
Prima Donna's Honeymoon hold theil
popularity. and the new songs in Prin-
gle and Writings sketch are funniel
than their last weeks Offering.