The people of Victoria think it is fine. They ought to
come to California and pattern after some of our playhouses. It was
small, the acoustics bad and the mixtures of colors was as a
crazy-quilt to me. The boxes were ludicrous in their attempt at
ornamentation. The seats were long benches, upholstered with
solferino-colored damask and the scenes were the merest daubs. We
did not rehearse in the theater. We returned to the hotel and
rehearsed in the parlors for an hour, then each one retired for the
night.
[Illustration:
Rev. Dr. J.K. McLean
First Congregational Church
Oakland, 1890
Rev. P.Y. Cool
First M.E. Church
Santa Cruz, 1864
Rev. V.M. Law
Church of the Advent
East Oakland, 1898
Rev. Father Akerly
St. John's Episcopal Church
Oakland, 1894
Rev. Giles A. Easton
Calvary Episcopal Church
Santa Cruz, 1864
MINISTERS WITH WHOM MRS. BLAKE-ALVERSON HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED]
At last the first night is over and we have taken the people by storm.
The theater is crowded and every number is encored. We have set the
town talking and I expect the theater will not hold the people for
tonight. House packed. Vivian is the funniest man I ever saw or heard.
I nearly choke with laughter. In singing my song in costume tonight, a
very pretty and touching incident occurred. Lord Mayor Drummond and
family occupied one of the boxes. With them was their grandchild,
about three or four years old. When I came out dressed as an old
Scotch woman and leading Mr.
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