Sacramento daily record-union., 1880-12-07
METROPOLITAN rHEATsR.

Milton Mobiles and his comedy company
appeared in his own play, 1.-The Phoenix, y at
the Metropolitan Theater last night to a
house crowded from the top of the gallery to
the railing of the orchestra. The play is of
the oldest character. Ii has merit, but it is
wrapped in capacious mantle of the most
extravagant improbabiities. 1t is play of
the New York Bowery order and replete
with the elements that go to make up that
style of drama. Though it has many rough
passages, they are from life, and have been
so presented as not to offend or shock.
1t is an extsavagant and "bloody" produc-
ton, but so filed with odd amusing and lu-
dcrous situations, and SO brim. full of hearty
mirth, that no time is given the auditor to ex-
perience any sensations of horror or any
shock to the sensibilities. The play presents
some types of character rarely met with out
side great cities, and these are presented ex-
travagantly. But that they are genuine types
few will be found to deny, and that they are,
in the hands of the Mobiles, the mediums for
rare characteI-acting is undeniable. MIR.
MOBILES is man of no mean talent, an actor
of much skill, an artist who has seized
upon some of the traits of the lower elements
of society, and by his method lifted them into
with an interest that the spectator is sur
prised to find himself acknowledging In
short, the play is extremely sensational and
improbable, and moves upon plane very low
in the scale. But it is devoid Of offensive
passages, the language is not blistered with
oaths, and the text is shorn of all question
able phrases. Tie acting redeems the drama.
1t is, throughout good. 1t presents series
of pictures of low life, dissipation
and crime in New York, but they
are pictures admirably painted by the
actors. Character-acting such as that Of Mr..
Mobiles, Mr.. Schwartz and Eir. Barnum Is
rarely equsled. From beginning to end the
piece abounds with the drollest and most
laughable situations, and is filed to the u
terniost edges with mirth provoking dialogue,
and tbs oldest and most laughable puns and
speeches some old. most new, some quite
slaagy, but all of character to make the
most sober-sided shake with hearty laughter,
and none are calculated to offend in the
slightest degree. Many gambling scenes
have been presented upon the stage, but
memory brings to mind none surprising, in
exactGess of detail and dramatic interest that
framed by Mr.. Mobiles and his company IN
"The Pheaix." The play will be
repeated at matinee performance
this afternoon, and it is quite certain to draw
another large audience. Tonight another Of
Mr. Nobles' dramatic productions, "A Man
Of the People" It is of a piece with the
'.Phe tx" It's said, and quite as entertain
ing. This viii be the last night of the COM
pany here. twas a mistake to bill it for SO
short season. 1t has the capacity to run
out week here with full houses nightly.
MOBILES, Schwartz, Miss Lee. Barnum, and the
we'll trained support would not weary Sacra-
meuto audiences with their cbaracter-acting
in any brief period. The company gives US a
breezy change that is acceptable, and though
it is by no means of high dramatic charac-
ter. it is the kind of nonsense that the public
relishes now and then.