The record-union., 1891-02-20
ADJUSTMENTS.

Frederick Warde and Mrs. D. P. Bow
ers began their engagement at the Metro
politan Theater last night in Shakespeare's
Henry VIII" The theater was crowded
in every part. A more satisfactory audi
ence has not been gathered in it in years.
1t was the most intelligently attentive
audience, and most critically appre-
ciative one that has been seen within
the walls of a theater in Sacramento
since the Booth-Barrett engagement. 1t
redeemed the reputation of the
taste OF the theatergoing public
from the odium attaching to it by
reason of the outpouring on Monday
evening to pay tribute to the most despic-
able and loathsome burlesque upon the
drama ever born of a polluted fancy. The
Warde company is one of excellence
throughout. There is no weak timber in
it. Indeed, several of the support are of
very superior ability, as for instance,
c. D. Herman as Buckingham. Miss
Coggswell as Anne Boleyn had but few
lines, but proved herself capable, and she
is possessed of graceful stage presence
and personal beauty. Harry Leighton's
Cromwell won him deserved applause.
large. one,. is worthy of personal men
ton for painstaking and intelligent per-
assumed. Henry VIII" has not
before been given here, Shakespear-
ian artists avoiding it mainly as a
play not possessing strong, attract
I've power for the general public.
Mr.. Warde, however, has proved that in
his hands it is capable Of holding the at
tention of an audience intently, and of
arousing it to the hight of enthusiasm in
plaudits. The interest at no time flags,
and the action is rapid and full of energy,
as given by this company. Mr.. Ward0's
He was precisely what one would imag-
inc the ambitious Cardinal to be. The
best effort was when the crush
ing revelation of his downfall and
the defeat of all his high hopes
was full upon the Cardinal, and
when he read with penetrating pathos
the touching admonition to Cromwell.
1t was asumptuous and complete illusion.
The actor was lost in the character, and
the broken, defeated Cardinal, by very
coinage Of art, stood before the audience
1t was truthfulness in all its impressive
ness, the reflection of the ideal Shake
speare must have had in mind 1t was
triotism, craft softened by patriotic
purpose, manliness, heartbroken re-
gret and patient resignation. 1t was
fascinating in it's classic symmetry and
won the audience so completely that it
demanded the curtain three times, and
the appearance OF the artist every time to
acknowledge the tributes OF his hearers.
The meaning of the last call could not be
mistaken, and Mr.. Warde came forward
and made one Of the happiest little
speeches, itself a defense of and tribute
to the drama, when he modestly said that
such attention had been given, such sin
cere interest manifest in the effort of the
company to interpret Shakespeare's noble
lines, that 1t gave courage and hope to
the actors and repaid them as only inte!li-
gent recognition of true art can. Mrs.
Bowers, wonderfully well-preserved
woman, who has seen two score
years upon the stage, was scarcely less
warmly received by the audience. Her
Queen katharine proved how richly
mental and artistic attributes qualify her
for such parts. She compelS admiration.
and by the charm of her reading in q
melodious and strangely heavy voice, the
deep earnestness of purpose manifest in
every lntonation, and the tragic power
and artistic discernment of her method,
she proves anew her title to the high
rank among the artists of the day that
she has so long held. She knows,
If she does not feel, how to per-
fectly assume the evidences of the ele-
mental emotions of human nature Her
knowledge OF them, in other words, en-
ables her to express them with clear pur-
pose adequate power, fine taste, and pro-
found effect. The part of Katharine does
not, however, enable her to prove the
tragic power she possesses. In Lady
Macbeth the public will be able to see
her in phase of dramatic work of
extreme contrast to that of last
night. The success of 'Henry VIII"
last evening by Mr.. Warde's company,
and generally expressed desire for the
change, has induced the management to
announce the piece for repetition Satur-
day afternoon, instead of giving ssVir-
ginius," as first billed. The change is a
wise one, since it will give matinee
patrons opportunity to witness Mrs.
Bowers portrayal of the gentle and un-
fortunate Queen Katharine Tonight a
double bill, which all along the route
from the East has, we note by press re-
views, been very successful, will be
given-'The Merchant of Venice.n with
Mr.. Warde as Shylock, Mr.. Herman as
BasSanio, and Mrs. Bowers as Portia.
The afterpiece viii be Garrick's version
of Shakespeare's comedy, "The Tanning
OF the Shrew,' with Mr.. Warde as Pc
truchio and Miss Coggswell as katherine.
Monday and Tuesday nights, at the
Metropolitan Theater, Goodyear, Glitch
d Schilling's Minstrels viii appear. The
company is very large, snowy and
strong one. Its engagement in San Fran
cisco was very successful, all the press