The record-union., 1892-11-26
ADJUSTMENTS.

AM OOHM ENID.
A fine and large audience at the Metro
poiItan Theater last night witnessed the
performance of the melodrama, "The
Three Guardsmen," by Alexander Salvini
and very superior supporting company.
The recognition of MIR. Salvini's capacity
and dramatic intelligence by the audience
was very pronounced and highly compli-
mentary. He was called out at the close
OF two acts, and twice at the close Of the
third. Mr.. Redmund was also the re-
cipient of warm evidences of approval
for his fine reading of the story of the de-
celved nobleman. The setting of the piece
was very handsome, all the scenery being
carried by the company, and especially
adapted to the demands of the play
There was considerable delay between
acts owing to the difficulty Of handling so
many heavy pieces Of scenery by very
limited force of stage hands. Mr.. Sal
WINS success was marked. With an old
and worn play, one that nearly all
theater-goers have seen and that was sup
posed TO have gone upon the retired list
long ago, he thoroughly well entertained
critical audience until ll:30 O'Clock. and
at no moment permitted the interest 10
flag. In fact, he invested the character of
D'Artagnan with new life. for he
into the ideal conception of Dumas hero.
the fiery, quick-tempered, but quick
witted and merry provincial youth
whose courage and gallantry were the
chief characteristics of his being. The
secret of Mr.. SalvinPs success in the part.
and probably in all he plays, is his natu-
ralness, and the absence OF straining for
effect. He does not play across the foot
lights; the stage is the real scene of the
story, and the fOotlights the utmost limit
OF the field OF action. The actor in short
sinks himself in the character, but with
such cunning of art that the audience is
not conscious of any special effort made
by him in doing so. Mr.. Salvini is
young and ambitious. He has more to
accomplish than he has yet undertaken.
but, fortunately, good sense is guiding
him, and ne is approaching the higher
levels without over-reaching. He is con-
tent to give us that which he knows
he can do well now, and, unlike most
aspiring young men, does not attempt
to leap to high place. He is proving him
self as he goes, and that he will rise to a
lottier plane no one doubts who saw him
last night. Everyone of his auditors was
made aware of the underlying power and
| informing spirit of his performance. and
that it was not mimicry, nor the follow
ing of models, nor copying after accepted
standards, but that the conception of the
dla
| longed to the man, and was the result of
his own study of the text of his author.
\ ot that his idea of Dumas D'Artagnan
was haWless, for it was not. He drew
| the ambitious hero too amiably; she
/ did not give him enough of the
! irritability Of his race; he invested
| him with a degree of self-control that
was in excess of the capacity of the brave
! youth, as we read Of him in Dumas dra-
matte text. Bat for all that, SaIviniis
! hero was so much above and beyond the
/ majority of such romantic creations, was
! so sincere, earnest ana real a hero, was
so completely human, that it shone out
as a splendid brilliant among hosts of
| spurious stones. His DArtagnan was
/ more flesh and blood than romantic.
/ more human than stage conventionality
/ usually permits. 1t was not, in short a
| traditional, but a distinct and indie
! pendent personation, approaching more
closely to the ideal than any seen for a
/ great many years. His style of acting is
| broad, yet minute; it is free-reck-
/ less, almost-and yet there is such
et1ortless attention to detail and to
| the little things that go to make up the
| great whole, and all without any evidence
made apparent of an attempt. or of hard
! labor, or striving that the auditors We're
charmed and paid willing tribute to true
/ genius. They were fascinated bv the
]
structiOn Of the character, and willingly
! sat through long performance that could
/ not become wearisome with such skill in
/ the lead, such strong and sympathetic
personality and refined conception of The
! thought of the play, such swiItness and
/ vividness of mind dominating the entire
! performance.
! Tonight the romantic drama, "Don
/ Cesar de Bazan," an absorbing story.
and one that we should say gives the
4 artist wide field for the play of his
genius. The management calls attention
/ 10 the fact that the play is briefer than
/ that Of last night, the waits fewer and
/ shorter, and adds that complete per-
1 formauce, without the cut of a word or a
particle OF haste, will be given nutwith-
/ standing that it is last night. The cur
/ tain. however, will 90 up at 5
| o'clock. Usual late c0mers should make
note of the fact. The Iheater
was thoroughly well warmed last night.
/ 1t has been improved, too, by change
for the better, ornamentally and practi-
cally, IN the lobby entrance, and by clos
] ing the outer doors. New carpets have
2 been placed in the aisles and lobby, the
aisle floors stained, the gliding OF the
4 house retOuched and the woodwork re-
varuished. If the spirit of improvement
extends to repair of the scenery and the
removal of evidences of dilapidation on
the stage, the Metropolitan will regain its
\ position as one Of the handsomest houses
/ on the coast.
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
of next week FESTIVAL of Seasons will
be held at the Westminster Presbyterian
Church for the sale of fancy articles.
There will be n change of programme on
the second night, and an enjoyable enter
! tainment is promised.