Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-01-18
ADJUSTMENTS.

METROPOLITAN IHEATER. - MIR. James
O'Neill was welcomed last night in Monte
Cristo" by one of the largest audiences
gathered in the theater at regular dra-
matte entertainment since the remodelling
of the theater. Every seat in the house
was taken except two boxes. Perhaps
half dozen seats down stairs were I'M
occupied, while the family circle was
packed-it was a case where more corners
would have had to put up with standing
ROOM" Mr.. O'Neill has greatly improved
in his methods since last here. His style
is more finished, and there is in his bearing
that which is significant of the greater ease
he feels His splendid voice and fine enun-
citation are still chief elements in his art.
He is certainly worthy of the popular
favor of which he is the beneficiary,
for he is an accomplished actor, and
possesses in wonderful degree that
which, for want of better term, has been
called personal magnetism" His COM
pany is evenly good, but, with two excep-
lions, we have seen here better support in
Monte Cristo." DeMorcef, Caderouse
and the wife of Caderouse have been better
performed here, notably the latter when
ever Sara Stevens took the part. So, too,
Phoebe Davies is very near to the ideal
Mercedes. Newton Dana (Mr. Perkins)
is far better Fernand than has been seen
here, and fills the role well. Many old
Sacramento and Placer friends watched
him with pleasure and anxiety. He did
not disappoint expectation. He is grace
full, of good presence, reads with feeling
and acts with spirit that amounts to en-
thusiasm. His reading is much too rapid and
his rhetorical pauses too frequent, so much
so as to completely discover his sentences
frequently, and lead him, for emphasis
ual- II i
But these are minor matters of objection in
a general success-devoting ability and Ca
pacity, with experience and years to elm
mate defects and develop natural powers.
The Nortier of Mr.. Shannon was notably
| good example OF competent actors work,
and better than we have had here in the
same role. But comparisons aside Mr..
ONeilFs support was acceptable. The
| scenery last evening was mainly strange to
the Metropolitan stage, and in two of the
| acts it was very handsome. The set
ting OF the scenery in the prison
scene, especially, was creditabie TO
ker. So much depends upon the capacity
of these unseen theatrical helps that thor
oughly good work is worthy of mention,
by way of encouragement, now and then.
The mechanical effects in the second act
were pleasing and novel to the Metropoli-
tan stage, including that of a new effect of
water dashed up by waves. Mr.. O'NeilTs
success was so pronounced last night, and
the manifestations of approval SO sincere
and marked-both by applause and atten-
| tion-that it is safe to assume he will have
full house again-the occasion of his last
| appearance-to- night, in the romantic COM
| edy drama, An American King" q play
in which he has won distinction, and that
has excited deal of contentious criticism.
THE ATHEEEUM CoMPANY.SThe Boston
Howard Atheneum Specially Company is
announced TO appear January 23d and oath,
Monday and Tuesday nights next. 1t has
| been here once, but has since then been en-
| larged, and one notable addition is that OF
Hertz, the magician, who presents the
| wonderful " LIE Cocoon mystery, recently
explained by San Francisco journal, but
which the Atheneum management pro.
nounces to be no explanation at all and
! wholly incorrect. The company has been
playing for two weeks to crowded houses al
the Bush-street Theater, San Francisco, the
| Call saying of it the programme is varied
and clever, and satisfies the average audi.
ence well. In the company are Adams
Carey and Howard, "the musical team, y
four Arabs in tumbling feats, Hertz with
Mystery" and lie Cocoon" Sweeney and
Ryland, Irish comedians; Rozene and Rob.
bins, trapege performers; the sketch actors
| the Irwin Sisters; Hoey, the minstrel per-
| former and others The box Office opens
Saturday at 10 Am.