The San Francisco call., 1910-06-23

PLAY in THE POCKET
OF PERCY MACKAYE
Author Joins Theatrical Colony
Assembled to See Margaret
AngIin in Greek Play
New Comedy, "Anti-Matri-
mOny," to Be Produced at
Columbia Theater
By WALTER ANTHONY

Etlcg AAaCkd4es son OF the late SNeeAS
Macksye and noted playwright on his
own account. reached San Francisco
yesterday afternoon with his wife to
join the rapidly growing but soon to be
dispersed colony Of theatrical notables
assembling to hear "Antigone," which
Margaret Angln is TO produce at the
Greek theater in Berkeley.
Mackaye is here in a sort of friendly
advisory capacity to Miss Anglin. He
is an authority on the Greek drama,
his classic play. "Sapho and Pheon,"
being regarded as a literary achieve
ment if not theatrical success. He
expects TO attend the rehearsals of AN
tigone" and assist Miss Anglin in her
notable and noble achievement.
7 shall stay here" said Mackaye
yesterday. until after the opening at
the Columbia Of my new comedy, Anti
Mstrimony.'" This work is declared to
have been an immediate success.
Mackaye will be remembered as the
author Of Mater" which was given at
he Van Ness theater on the occasion
Of Henry Nillers last visit there two
years ago. Mackaye was here at that
time 10 watch the rehearsals Of his
fantastic comedy. which achieved con-
Van Ness. but proved TO be too fan
tastical and intangible in its essence
for the rough usages Of country travel
Ny present visit" said Mackaye, |
is not altogether one Of pleasure. L
an now writing a play for Miss An
glin which I want to consult her about.
Il is a modern play and. Of course,
am hoping that il viii suit and sue
ceed"
The seat sale for Miss Anglin's spe-
cial Greek theater performance will
begin this morning in San Francisco
at Sherman, Clay & Co.'S establishment
In Kearny street; in Oakland al the
same firms stSne and in Berkeley at
various town stores.
There were some bewildered sfa9e
hands at the Alcazar last week when
Iris was put in rehearsal Iris" is,
as YOU know. an episode drama. Now,
episode" not being an epithet in
cluded in a stage mechanics otherwise
picturesque vocabulary. Miss Harmed
was at some pains to explain its mean
ing that it wasn't something to eat,
or better still. something TO drink, or
a Greek term Of reproach. Let us
have" she would say, the second epi-
soce in the first act The property
man looked uncomfortable and won
dered whether he had lost il. The car
penter hoped that he hadn't broken
IT. Emba rrassed silence and inaction
settled until Miss Harmed thought a
strike was on. whereupon Stage Dfrec-
tor Butler proceeded with an eXplana-
tion. You Just drop the curtain in
the middle of an act to let tempo
fugit,' he elUcidated.
Speaking Of misunderstanding re-
minds me.
"One great advantage said 1 to Louis |
Yet ire
tous manager" that attaches to the |
presentation Of Sophocles' .Antigone' |
is that folk are becoming on speaking |
terms with the Greek classics. A friend |
Of mine admitted that until 'Oedipus'
was given recently at the Greek theater
he had an idea that it was the name of
a disease"
That's nothing" said Nethersole. "a
friend Of mine thought Doctor wullner
was German doctor who could cure
st."
Annabeue whitford. who is known as
"Ziegfeld beauty" and who was for-
merly one Of the charmers that Anna
held. is now out Of Annals spectacular
chic musical comedy. and is a vaude-
Vile star. She is the headline attrac-
tiOn billed for the Orpheum next Sun
day afternoon. Miss Whitford will pre-
sent q singing act I'm three scenes, the
features Of which are said to be The
Flirting Girl" The Newspaper Girl"
and The Aeroplane Girl" There will
be living statuary, minstrelsy, legerde-
main, canine comedy, a sketch, Peter
Donald and Meta Carson in their
Scotch act and the famous Finneys, who
are mermsids, and other offerings.
Nesta Victoria, the singing comedienne
from London, finishes her phenomenal
local enga cement next Saturday night.
In days not so long gone Annie Mey-
ers was Doll Baby No. 81" at the
TiVoli when Hartman produced The
Toyula ker." Since its first presenta-
tfOn Hartman has been Guggenheimer,
the near sighted maker of toys, 1000
times. and Joseph Fogarty has put on
the costume Of Count Ballenburg not
less than 700 times. The Toymaker''
is perenialy popular for all kids of all
ages. In the role that Annie Meyers
used to play "Muggins" Davies now is
seen. Once she was the Japanese doll,
later she was the China doll because
she got too big TO be the Japanese
baby That was at the old, old Tivoli.
Her first appearance as the Japanese
doll in the play was made when she
was 2 dignified miss of the age of 5.
Later. at Idora park, she was seen as
the bigger baby doll, and now she has
Rrs sduated in size until she is Elsa,
Baby Doll No. 81, and in the role that
Annie Meyers used to play.
Still another generation Is following,
for next Sunday afternoon Paul and
10 Hartman Will be seen as the Chi
nese boy and the Japanese dolly, and
viii unouestionably prove their his
r~fonic geneology in the roles that |
their aunt .-Muggins" used to play.
Incidentally the Princess wants 1t
known that there viii be toys on both
sides Of the footlights. Every child at
tending the opening matinee as well as
the following Saturday matinee will be
given 2 tov suitable TO the sex and age
Of the Apply recipient. Besides the lit
he gifts there will be one big present
an automobile. IT is real one, valued
at $3.50 and is guaranteed to travel up
snv hilI in town. IT is gaily painted, |
bright with brass trimmings and car
ries two passengers. Every one attend |
ing the performances of The Toy |
Maker" during the entire week viii be
given a coupon and the possessor OF
the particular ticket which carries the
auto with it viii be named on Saturday |
night AT the close of the career of The |
Toy Maker"
After this the band at Idora-Tha-
viu's excellent aesregation-has orders
to shoot in the air. Last Monday night /
Tschaikowsky's "lSl2 Overture" was
being played. Russia's triumph over
French arms was having spirited tonal
exposition, TO gdd to which and at the /
climax of the riot of sound firearms I