The record-union., 1892-12-13
ADJUSTMENTS.

Minnie Seligman Cutting appeared at
the Metropolitan Theater last night in
Gunter's powerful dramatization of Col
onel Savage's smelo-dramatic and comedy
story, My Official Wife, Her chief
support was given thoroughly well by
William F. Owen in the lead, r.. P. Gibbs
and Robert L. Cutting, Jr. The latter is
new to the stage, but achieved consider
able success as an amateur in New York
society. While opinions will differ
rs to his ability, the majority
must agree that he gave a diff
cult part intelligent Interpretation.
and that he played the weak, pampered,
paSsio and treacherous Russian no.
bleman's son very closely to the concep-
tion of the character by the author of the
story. The two other gentlemen are fine
actors, who know their art and are equal
to its demands. AS for the fourteen or
fifteen others, they had little to do and
were evenly weak and nerveless. except
ing perhaps Mr.. Brinker, who has capac-
ity. But the whole action of the play, all
its living interest. is with the star and
the three gentlemen named. AS for the
play, it demands sumptuous surround
ings and finished mounting. Save in
the first act, where Mrs. Seligman-
Cuttings own scenery is used, the mount
ing served to expose the poverty of
Il6 ltbIODOlildil SLdRt, Oh WHICH cannot
even be cOntrlYed shift that Will not
make it necessary to make the same di-
lspidated couch do service in a st. Peters
burg hotel and Partisan boudoir. But,
despite the cOldness of the stage fittings
the lady put color and life, and gave
warmth and vitality to every scene so
skillfully, that her success entities her to
rank as an artist OF most superior ability.
The story is OF a woman nihilist, plotting
to serve her party and destroy the Car;
devoted to the cause in utter abandon.
worshiping il as a religion, and Sacritic-
ing to 1t everything but her honor. For
II she decelves, coquetteS, pleads, threat
ems, plots, and dares even the terrible
Third Section" the Russian secret po-
lice From the moment the curtain goes
up to its final fall, all is action, and she
is the center of it all; absorbing interest
is kindled at the very outset, and never
flags. and she is the chief factor in it. Her
magnetic presence thrills through every
movement of the sensational drama, and
where it verges upon doubtful borders
her courage and virtuous defenses save
the situation from baseness. Mrs. Selig-
man Cutting is an actress, in this play at
least, who disarms tault-hnding by what
can only be termed her personal magnet
ism. and by the exquisite art of simula-
ton, or by genuine feeling. There can be
10 mistaking the emotion she calls forth:
they are as distinct in their significance as
so many paintings. She plays with more
than unlimited good will, for she puts
feeling into her action, that is difficult to
distinguish from reality. The actor who
does that really does all any can do; there
is no closer approach to be made to the
real. This graceful woman is not beautiful,
but is more than comely, for the light OF
fine intelligence illumines most attract
i've countenance. the facial expression of
which is remarkable. Passion, tender
ness, cunning, artfulness. gratitude, love,
mirth, suffering, fear. hate, revenge,
pity, mercy, chase each other in her
countenance constantly, and the transi-
tion from one to the other are lightning
like, without loss of intensity at any
time. There is one instant the most
charming delicacy, the next flood of
passionate anger sweeps all before it, and
in a flash is succeeded by melting pity,
and then by the most womanly and
sacred light OF honest love. Very rarely