The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-10
ADJUSTMENTS

A crowded house at the Metropolitan
Theater last night testified to the hold
1.-THE Old Homestead has upon the peo-
pie. This homely, heart-whole comedy,
this reflection of New England rural life,
with its -heartedness, its sympathy
for human beings, Its gentleness, manli-
ness, mercy and all-pervading kindness,
is literally plotless. 1t is simply a series
of beautiful pictures taken with the
camera of nature upon the sensitive hui
man heart. Perhaps no higher tribute
can be paid to the ply and the powerful
influence 1t exerts for good than that
paid last evening by distinguished
clergyman. Said he: "Were this
play to be announced for the even
ing of my week night services
and the people of my congregation
should ask me, Shall We remain at the
service or go and see 1.-The Old Home
stead?'" should unhesitatingly say to all
OF them go to the play, it breaches more
powerfully than l can, and will touch
human hearts quicker and deeper" A
better pleased audience has never as
sembled in the theater than that of last
night. 1t went away satisfied, softened,
loving more, more in charity with human
weakness, more merciful, kindly and
plying than it came. And vet it had
had an evening of hnmor-humor that
stepped upon the threshold of merriment.
The play will be repeated tonight. The
company will not leave here until Satur-
day afternoon, hence it need not be feared
that there will be any cutting of the play
one feature of the entertainment is
worthy of especial mention, the splendid
double male quartet-than which no bet
ter has ever been heard here. Its singing
is in itself a complete entertainment. Nor
would 1t be just, having said that much,
to omit commentator of the female
voices in the chorus.
''Uncle Toms Cabin" by the New
York Stock Company at the Clunie
Opera-house continues to draw full
houses. 1t is so handsomely mounted,
SO eXcellently played, and made so alto
gether superior to any other production
of the play here, that it is quite like wit
Messing new drama of the slavery days.
1t will be repeated tonight.
While all due economy undoubtedly
must be practiced by the local manage
ment of the theaters, it would seem to be
poor economy to do as was done at the
Metropolitan Theater last night-turn
down the gaslights to a dimness that
made the house sepulchral-between the
third and fourth acts. The wise policy
is, especially when there is large and
brilliant house, as there was last evening,
to make the auditorium between acts
cheerful with light, that programmes
may be read and people he able to recog-
niZe one another il they choose. Last
night in the wait for the fourth act the
auditors had to content themselves III
comparative gloom. Such economy does
not encourage theater-going. If there is
one thing more than another that Will re-
pulse an audience it is a dimly and
gloomily lighted house between acts.
The next event in amateur dramatic
circles will be the production of William
Halley's romantic Western drama in five
acts entitled mick Floyd" It is play
full of startling situations and exciting
climaXes, and is pronounced by Frank
Mayo "a clever and good play" MIR.
Haley expects to put the piece on at the
Metropolitan Theater the latter part OF
the present month.
At Turner Hall this evening the Catho-
lie Ladies' Relief Society will give its an
nual ball, for which extensive prepare
tons are being made.
This evening the Young Peoples Luz
Their Alliance will give an Orange social
at the German Lutheran Church. The
proceeds are to go toward the purchase of
a new pipe organ.