The record-union., 1891-04-15
ADJUSTMENTS.

On Friday and Saturday evenings next,
at the Clunie Opera House, Hoyt's
comedy, "A Texas Steer" will be played
by the same company that gave it so long
and successful run III San Francisco re-
Gently. 1t is not one of the grotesque or
der of Hoyt's plays, but is very broad
satire upon American politics at the ma
tional capital. The New York World
says of it: ''NIr. Hoyt has made an at
tempt to cut loose from his previous
methods, and endeavored to put together
a comedy which would bear favorable
comparison with the humorous and sa-
tiric2l works which for the past few years
have attracted the attention of American
theater-goers. His aim was to make his
characters types Of living realities, and to
magnify and emphasize judiciouSly the
salient points and characteristics Of the
more strongly marked OF personages to a
degree that their peculiaritieS might be
recognized, enjoyed, laughed over and
welcomed as familiar acquaintances. To
carry out the idea was 10 easy task for
Hoyt, whose most pronounced successes
were on playground Of eXtravagant fun.
IN a Texas Steer there is the evident
Intention to accomplish more serious re-
suits, reach further in the delineation of
character, and to satiriZe fairly. Mr.
HOyt selected Texas and Washington for
the scenes Of action in which 10 cast his
comedy. With perfect frankness he de-
clares that his treatment of the subject he
has taken in hand is neither profound,
exhaustive nor absolutely truthful to life,
but so far as it goes he hopes that it will
be amusing. His hopes were realized
last evening; nay more, they exceeded
his expectations. Mr.. Hoyt builded
stronger than he knew with "a Texas
Steer 1t is a rollicking, good piece of
lIfpray,U and
success, not SO much on account of the
business of the people in the cast, as in
the merits of the work OF the author"
'The Botonians'' had a large and ap-
preciative audience last night at the Me-
tropolitan Theater. De Koven & Smiths
comic opera, "Robin Hood" was sung.
1t is very pretty opera, light, airy, full
Of charming melodies and altogether
pleasing. But it has been overrated, if all
the stories OF its success elsewhere are
| true-that is TO say, as a musical compost
ton 1t is not strong or Strikingly novel.
l. is pretty, very pretty, and has some
taking airs and glees, and it is charmingly
sung by an accomplished and splendidly
balanced troupe, with leaders whose dra-
matte ability is equal to their lyric quail
lty. Then, too, the OrchestTatiOn was al
most faultleSs. For once we were given
nate the singers nor prevent solitary
syllable being heard and understood. 1t
was delightful satisfaction to listen to an
orchestra SO finely handled, and that
played with such taste. The enunciation
of all the sipgers was something surpris-
ing in merit. Not a syllable was sung
that was not understood; the story of the
opera could not have been more easily
communicated in speech. So, with
capable singers such as Jessie Bartlett
Davis, Marie Stone, Edwin Hoff, Eugene
Cowles, Peer Larry, Grace Reals and Ire
vette Matfett, with such capital comedians
as George rockingham and Fl. C. Barna-
bee and a good chorus of nearly thirty
well-trained voices, with several among
them who in seXtets, octets and quintets,
proved men especially strong, it is no
wonder that the opera has become popu-
lar.
The box sheet for the opera "Pinafore," :"
to be sung by the Meme ell Club next week,
opens at Houghton's bookstore at a. NJ.
to-day for subscribers, and for the general
public tomorrow at the same hour.