AT THE THEATERS
The Week's Bills
Mason — "Message from Mars."
Belasco — "Brown's in Town."
S Hotchklss — "Tho Strollers."
,'i Burbank— "Fanchon, tho Cricket."
§ Orpheum — Vaudeville.
Grand — "Camlllo."
Fischer's — Burlesque.
t;. AST week will be a nightmare to
I : . the local theatrical profession for
■~ ',)e. long time to come. The awful
disaster In Frisco killed business and
not a. show house In town did anything
worth while.
'At the Mason a brand new play, as
strong a one us we have had here In
months, played. to yawning emptiness;
even. the Belasco was deserted, an al
most unprecedented condition, and
the cheaper houses all suffered.
• This condition was directly attributa
ble to the great rush of relief work
and the disinclination of people to seek
amusement when their dollars would
do so much good up north.
■But this condition will pass; it al
ready shows a tendency to, thank for
tune. We are too far from Frisco and
have done too much for her to mope
and morn over what doesn't affect us.
. And we must get ourselves in trim
for Bernhardt. Of the wisdom of play
playing the Divine Sarah at Venice,
out over the waves, I am not certain;
of the novoltyof It there can be no
cavil; it will be more spectacular than
was her tent stunt— and that was about
the limit.
'Sarah will b6 the last big thing. The
season Is on the wane. After the
Fiesta , we will get Into the summer
running, the dolce far nlente of the
year.
Sarah Bernhardt Coming
» «• ADAME SARAH BERNHARDT
/yl announces that although the
, * * ...time which she expected to de
'■':-' vote to""j«qaslng San Francisco audl
. enees will \e canceled, she Is. still
ready to give \p Los Angeles the three
performances v'hlch she has promised
at Venice. Denver has requested two
. additional performances and Salt Lake
' City, owing to a 'Jieavy demand for
seats, has requestedvtwo more nights
"' In that city. By playing one night at
Pueblo and one night at Colorado
Springs Madame Bernhardt can easily
■ make up the weeks she-loses in San
Francisco. As this Is her last tour of
America the entire public is interested
In this great queen of tragedy, and
She has more requests' for her time
$| than she can fill.
The changing of her dates may cause
'.. the Venice engagement to take place
■ on Friday evening, May 24, and Satur
day matinee and evening. May 25. The
repertoire has not yet been selected,
although there has been a great de
r-, mand for "La Sorclere," which Is now
' I considered Madame Bernhardt's strong
est impersonation. The demands for
• "Camille" at the matinee have been so
overwhelming that this bill has been
positively selected for that perform
ance. For the closing bill it may be
"Phedre," Racine's tragedy in five
: acts as it seems to have the lead over
any others in the number of requests,
til though "Angelo" and "Sapho" have
been requested by many. The price of
' reserved seats will be the same as the
eastern Bernhardt prices, the only dif
ference being that a round trip ticket
Will be furnished free to all purchas
: era.
Theater In Her Private Car
;■ ir'i . NEW KIND of Pullman porter
■ZV" will soon belli demand. In addl
;TT - tion to his old duties of the dust
brush he must know all about calcium
lights, right and left exits, and border
drops. He may even havo to be a
dramatic critic. If the latest design in
private cars becomes popular, among
theatrical stars a course In stage man
agement and dramatic theory will
probably be added to the present re
quirements for railroad men.
j. It is announced that Maude Adams is
. to have a private Pullman theater car,
which when finished will be the only
Vvehicle of its kind in existence. The
,'plan is to relieve the actress of some of
the Inconveniences of one-night stands
; and 'long tours across the continent.
; .The car, when completed. Is to be a
; combination of living apartments and a
completely equipped theater for the re
liearsal of scenes and one-act pieces.
; It will be known as the "Tinker Bell,"
,; and will cost when fully furnished
: from $25,000 to $30,000. The Pullman
company will build the car.
■'..'- The need of such a car Is said to arise
■from Miss Adams' wish for absolutely
private rehearsals while on tour of a
' number of one-act pieces which she has
•long had under consideration. In New
York, and particularly on the road, it
is sometimes hard to find on short
'.notice an available theater or a clear
stage for private rehealsals.
| -According to specifications, the stage
| part of the car will be forty feet in
lepth , and will have no windows,
rooves for the scenery, which will be
dmitted into the car by sliding doors
t ; the rear of the stage, take up the
sual' window space. Daylight can be
ad, if desired, through celling win
ows.
.There will be border rights, footlights,
alcium lights and^spot lights. .There
ill be lockers for costumes and lockers
3r properties and tools. Steps will
:ad from the stage to the floor of the
ar, ■which will be without stationary
hairs. The stage aprJlances will be
f the simplest kind, such aa any Pull
lan porter can manage.
At the other end of the car will be a
Inlng room, a private room with sta
ionary bed and bath, a kitchen and
ervants' rooms. Miss Adams will be
ntlrely independent of hotels. This
net Of the car will be fitted with obser
vation windows.
TAccordlng , to the contract the new
, carJs.to be ready for the- beginning of
Miss Adams'.. tour next fall.
The Manager's A B C's
A stands j for Aarons. so breezy and
bright. ■ !-', *-Vv ,' ■
-B for Belasco, the critics delight.
O stands for Cooley, with Savage right
now,
, D ' stands for Dilllngham, Charles take
a bow.
;: 13 v . stands' for Erlanger, king of them
all,
F RtnndH for Frohmnn,' bo back in the
'" -: fnll.
vG stands for George, I'm a manager,
■'."■■, yps .; ■ '
. II; stands for Jtuni.s, which one? Giva
a; guess.
Vj stands for. Jay, that we all have to
MAGDALENE HOLLY, ORPHEUM
K. stands for Klaw, you all know who
he is.
I, stands for Lederer, best in the biz.
M stands for Manbelmer, Shubert's
right hand,
N" stands for Noonan, Chicago's just
grand.
O stands for OBgood, with books open
wide, ' ; '
p stands for Pastor, all wool, trua and
tried. - r.;;-: ' - /;,
o stands for Cues, which have care
lessly slid,
11, stands for Riloy, tho Slmftesbury
kid.
S stands for Savage, quite unlike his
name,
T stands for Thompson, of Hlppo
droma fame.
V stands for Union, we've got it at
last,
V stands for V's, that we've loaned In
the past.
W stands for Wagenhals-Kemper,
you're on,
X' stands for Exit, the season is gone.
V stands for You, so you're mentioned
this time,
Z stands for Zambo, to fill out the
rhyme. •
Greenroom Gossip
Marguerlta Sylva will soon make her
debut in grand opera in "Carmen" at
the Paris Opera Comlque.
Richard Mansfield has been made ft
flattering offer to ■ appear In his rep
ertoire in the City of Mexico.
Robert Mantoll will revive John Aug
ustln Ktone'a "Metamora," one of E'J
win Forrest's characters in which even
John MeCullougli failed.
Margarot Angltn has secured a new
play, "The Golden Butterfly," by Edith
Macranc, for use next season. It Is, a
comedy of New York life.
LOS ANGELES HERALD:; SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL' 29, 1906.
SCENE FROM "A MESSAGE FROM MARS," MASON
Coming Attractions
MASON— Los Angeles is at last to
have "A Message From Mars," a com
edy that has attracted much attention
throughout the United States since it
was brought to this country from Eng
land.' It will be the attraction at the
Mason opera house beginning tomor
row evening and continuing for the
entire week wltß a matinee on Satur
day. This comedy hns received high
praise wherever it has been seen. It
Is not "without a very excellent history.
For three years it was constantly on
view at one theater in London, where
it had its bringing out. Later it was
brought to New York and remained at
the Garrick theater for two consecu
tive years. The same manifestation of
appreciation that was extended it In
both London and New York has been
given to it in all the other cities
where It has been seen in the United
States. This is the first time the play
has ever been brought to California.
It will be presented in Los Angeles by
a company headed by David Proctor,
having as his supporting company
quite a large number of the same play
ers who assisted in making the com
edy so great a success during Its long
run In London and New York.
MAMMOTH THEATRICAL BENE
FIT—fIy all odds the biggest theat
rical event of the week will be ' the
mammoth benefit which will be held in
the Mason opera house Thursday from
12 o'clock noon until about 6:30 in the
evening. Never in the history, of Los
Angeles has such a program been of
fered in one performance, for there is
not a theater of importance in' the city
which is not contributing its very best
acts. The second net of "A Message
From Mars" from the .-apon, the sec
ond act of "Brown's in Town" from the
Belasco, the second net of ".Barbara
Frietchle" from the Burbank. the sec
ond act of "The Chimes of Normandy"
from the Hotchklss," the second ant of
"The Sign of the Four" from the Orand
— th,ese would-be, . enough to make ,up
one good performance worth $2 of any,,
MYRTLE SELWYN, GRAND
man s money, but in addition to mis
there. will bo vaudeville acts from the
Orpheum, Unique, Empire, Heda and
Fischer's, music by Chiaffarelll's band,
selections by a combined orchestra of
fifty pieces under the direction of Prof.
A. F. Frankenstein of the Orpheum or
chestra and Innumerable other fea
tures. The entire receipts will be
turned over to the chamber of com
merce committee for San Francisco re
lief.
BELASCO— "Brown's in Town, a
farce of the sort commonly described
as the hurrah variety, which means,
doubtless, that the piece creates no end
of laughter, is scheduled for production
at the Belasco this week. The Belascd
players, always most adept when play
ing farce, promise a . performance of
unwonted excellence. "Brown's in
Town" is built on the mistaken identity
idea which has been the chief basis for
the superstructure of all the successful
fun-making plays since the American
theater going public first showed a
fondness for the lighter style of stage
entertainment. Richard Vivian will be
"Brown" and will have the aslstance of
the entire stnff of \he Uelasco players.
Tuesday night at tho Belusco will be a
benefit performance under the ausploes ■
of the Merchants* exchange.
HOTCHKISS THEATER— Among the
characters of the operu of "Tho Chimes
of Normandy" thoae of the old miser,
the romanllo marquis, the little lost
marchioness, and . Kerpolette, the good
for-nothing, are all drawn true to na
■
Hire and in the rich coloring of the ro
mantic times of which the story deals.
The opera will begin the week's run at
the Hotchklss theater at the matinee
this afternoon and. will Include the
regular matinee. Robert Planquette's
muslo Id of the rarest vein, containing
numerous solos and ensembles of the
most brilliant style, particularly among
which may be recalled the "Legend of
the Bells," that beautiful solo and en
semble the theme of the opera. As
Serpolette, the good-for-nothing, Lottie
Kendall will be seen In one of hei
happiest roles, as will also Miss Deval
as the Germalne, William Herman
West as the old miser Gaspard, and
Robert Pltkln as the romantic Henri,
Marquis of Cornevllle.
ORPHEUM THEATER— "Motoring'
Is the name of a new satire on the au
tomobile craze which will head the Or
pheum bill for next week. This is an
English farce. Mile. Lotty will present
her original poses plastique which, Bhe
had made famous. Charles R. Sweet
will make fun and music In his role of
"The Burglar." Armstrong and Holly
will present their one-act farce, Artie
Hall In her Impersonations of the negro
girl, Jimmy Wall in a monologue and
parody singing act and Paul Klelst In
hla musical spectacle.
fIUAND OPERA HOUSE— "Cnmllle"
will be the Ulrich stock company offer-
Ilig for the week commencing matinee
today, wlth'MlHS Corlnno Snell In the
title role. "Cumlllo" does not need any
Introduction— has not needed any for. a
PART 111
good many years — but it is still as popu
lar as it was at the beginning of the
last decade.
BURBANK THEATER— "Fanchon
the Cricket," a four-act comedy drama
that was made famous by Maggie
Mitchell and incldentaMy won her a
fortune, will be the offering of the Bur
bank theater stock company for the
week beginning this afternoon. This
will have been the first, time the great
play has ever been given In Los Ange
les, attributable no doubt to the fact
that It Is an unsually heavy produc
tion both from a scenic standpoint and
In the length of the cast of characters.
Every Burbank favorite, including Wil
liam Desmond, Blanche Hall, Henry
Stockbridge, Harry Grazier, Carrol
Marshall, Harry Mestayer, Elsie Es
mond, John W. Burton, Carol Arden,
Robert Morris, Stella Razeto, Robert
Homans, H. J. Glnn. V. T. Henderson,
Willis Marks and Rose King will be
cast to advantage. As a personal
favor to Oliver Morosco, Phosa McAl
lister, well known and well liked by
Burbank patrons, has consented to play
the role of "Mother Fadet."
FISCHER'S— "The Troupers" is to
be the offering at Fischer's theater this
week. In the musical absurdity the
famous "Upside Down" dance will be
given. This will be the first time this
dance has been given in Los Angeles
and it is said to be refined, novel and
attractive. The dance will be given by
the Fischer chorus. The musical tra
veSty in which the "Upside Down"
danco will bg given was written by
Fred L. Griffiths.
!•■■■(■. ■
NOTES BY THE
MATINEE MAN
' That human hearts beat true was
never more apparent than the national
response for relief offered San Fran
cisco in her hour of trouble.
From every city come messages send
ing sympathy and telling how this ami
that actor and actress or manager
has taken steps to arrange benefits.
The Instantaneous response from the
amusement interests, which are always
hard hit in times of catastrophe, was
most gratifying.
Los Angeles theatrical men's guess
has come true. Charles A. Bigelow and
Joe Weber have separated. The part-
Ing of the two comedians was a Biir
prise, and was as sudden as mysterious.
It is said that a disagreement cropped
up at a rehearsal, which was followed
by the Immediate resignation of Bige
low. /■ ."■-•■';
Cecil Spooner will be starred next
season by Charles E. Blaney in a melo
drama with music. She is considered
one of the best of the stock and reper
toire company players of the younger
generation. Her early training was In
the small town circuits of lowa. Blansy
has a faculty of getting bright women
Into his companies. '•••"• ' '■•■-' ■'■'■
M.iry Anderson de Navarro will maite
a short trip to tho United States in
May. It Is probable that she will visit
her old home at Louisville, Ky., whore
a theater Is being erected in her honor.
John Hare's fine acting failed to
make a success of "The Alabaster
Staircase." tho new 1 comedy by Captain
Robert Marshall, produced at the
Comedy theater. London, by Charles
Frohman. It is a political play in
which Socialism plays an Important
role, and was destined for American
consumption.
Nathaniel C. Goodwin will again try
his fortune this year with American
audiences. He Just sailed from Eng
land and expects to open at Plttsburg,
after which he will tour the Pacific
coast.
Los Angeles playgoers will see a
treat when E. S. Willard comes. In
Chicago, In "The Man Who Was," Mr.
Wlllard is repeating his successes.
The play, which has been fashioned by
Klnsey Piele from the Kipling story,
is of but slight dramatic worth, but
the character of the officer, who. after
twenty years' Imprisonment in the Si
berian mines, returns to his old quar
ters In India and there slowly regains
his speech and his memory, Is one
which can but delight tho heart of,
any ambitious actor. Not that the rok>
of Llmmason plays Itself... It Is by no
means easy, but, when completely
done, It muttt Impress.
Mr. Wlllard has devised a makeup
which Is In all : respects .masterly.
5
LOTTIE KENDALL, HOTCHKISS
Especially In the first half of his work,
before his tongue is able to fashion the
English again and when he Is strug
gling for mental clarity as well :as
verbal command, his performance :Is
wonderfully impressive. The avoiding
of the ludicrous is not simple when
only grunts and gesticulations are
permissible. But Mr. Wlllard makes
the broken down condition of the old
soldier bo real and so appealing that
even the silliest spectator Is hushed
into respectful and sympathetic si
lence. - ,•■--..
Manager Drown has advices that
Robert Loralne and his. excellent com
pany have scored heavily with their
admirable presentation of Bernard
Shaw's "Man and Superman" In Chi
cago. The management has arranged
to extend the engagement beyond, tho
original four weeks at first booked, and
it now is certain that the clever com
edy will remain here until May 12. ■ It
also is the hope to prolong its stay In
definitely. The disaster 'at San Fran
cisco cancels, of course, the ten weeks',
engagement the company and comedy
were ito have on the Pacific coast, and
it Is Manager Powers' wish to buy off
"The Heir to the Hoorah," which was
to have come to his theater on May 20
for the summer, and to retain Mr.
Loraine and his company for the hot
months.
Manager Thomas G. Baker of the
Grand has a letter saying that the
happy and prosperous career of "The
College Widow" in Chicago reached
the century mark nt the Studebaker.
This 100 th performance of Mr. Ade's
was celebrated by changes In the
personnel of the cast, which, It is con
fidently asserted, will give the play the
best ensemble of players that has yet
appeared. The beat of Mr. Savage's
two companies are to be amalgamated,
the newcomers being Gertrude Quin -
laji, Frederick Burton and Dan Coll
yer, each the original of their respect
ive roles. Miss Qulnlan appears .as
Flora Wiggins, Mr. Burton as Bub
Hicks and Mr. Collyer as Matty Mc-
Gowan. -- . • •
The Shuberts have sued Grace Van
Studdiford for $25,000 damageß because
of her withdrawal from the cast of
"Lady Teazle," which compelled them,
they allege, to close the season of that
opera. Lillian Russell is expected to
be among the witnesses at the trial of
the suit. As Gracla Quive of the Bos
tonlans, Mrs. Van Studdiford was a
lesser light. After her marriage to
Charles Van Studdiford, of a wealthy
St. Louis family, whose fortune became
depleted, the , statuesque wife re
entered the stage to recoup their , for
tune and succeeded fairly well.
Pauline Hall closed her season in
"Dorcas" at Denver the other day after
a successful tour. Miss Hall will at
once re-enter vaudeville.
William Collier and company will
sail for Australia in April for an ex
tended engagement. Mr. Collier will
appear in "The Dictator," "On the
Quiet," and other plays. He will re
turn via London, where he will again
appear. "The Dictator" Is the play
that brought about Joseph Galbralth's
downfall as a matinee idol in Loa An
geles—for a time, at least.
"The Belie of Mayfair." in which
Edna May is to appear in London, is
reported to be a modernized version In
theme of "Romeo and Juliet." Cour
tlce Pounds is to be the Romeo in the
cast, and Miss May's sister Jans is
also a member of the cast. Some day
the fair Edna may revive "The Belle
of New York" and all the men will
turn out to see the original bewitching
Salvation Army lass.
Just why ambitious dramatists per
sist In writing and producing plays of
a pseudo-historic nature— plays ■ whose
main call for recognition comes from
the accuracy of the drawing rather
than the dramatic force of the action
or the excellence of >the acting— is; a
problem not yet solved.' New York/ as
usual, has its share of these plays this
season, and all have been unsuccess
ful In the attempt to arouse anything
like enthusiasm. , The last to holßt its
colors and make a bid i for | box office
patronage is Benjamin Chapln's "Lin
coln." It was exhibited from the same
boards which only I a few days before
were tramped by the Rev. Mr. Dlxon'a
"Clansman" and Mr. McLaren's "Red
skin."- • ■ ' . ■ :
Mr. Chapln, before he ; went to New
York with his new piece, was' very
careful to announce that ho- had: never
been an actor until he wrote, this play/
Actor, dramatist, star at one bound I , 'is
quite si gymnastic feat, and one calcu-'
lated to nrouse a modicum of interest
in the player, if not ; In : the play. *" The"
Chapin ■ programmes l even: have ifoot
notes with references to books showing
that scenes and 'text aro' historical