The record-union., 1893-12-13
ADJUSTMENTS.

The Metropolitan Theater was packed
last night by brilliant audience to wit
ness the second production Of the splen-
did spectacle and tragedy, which it did
not tire of applauding, Cleopatra" by
Fanny Davenport, MIR. Mcdowell and
the large and capable company in sup
port. AS said yesterday, the spectacle
has not been equaled here in fine scenic
and mechanical effects, and no play has
ever been put upon the boards here with
such thoroughness of discipline in the
| company. We estimate Miss Davenport's
| Cleopatra to be a correct, as 1t IS Il
Splendidly artistic conception of the
character Of the last Queen of Egypt.
| Cleopatra was woman OF unbridled am
bitiOn, merciless, reckless, intriguing,
loving only in the lower and passionate
sense, but out OF which grew for Antony
something akin to genuine affection.
| There Is every reason to believe
that she was content to be reck-
oned a devotee Of the black art,
a sorceress and an adept in magic. Her
brilliant beauty she used as weapon as
we'll as a shield. She was shameless as
the mistress of Caesar and the mother of
illegitimate children by him, and went
fresh from these amours to new triumphs
Of feminine fascination over Antony.
True, she was faithful to him, apparently,
| for thres years, during the separation
when Octavia played her part in the great
| tragedy Of history, but, though she died
| by her own hand from chagrin and loss
OF her lover, she was treacherous to him
i'll life and made her passion for him that
of the tiger jealous OF its prey, and found
in it the excuse for drawing him on to
ruin. All the characteristics Of hate, pas
sion, jealousy and treachery of the wan
ton Queen and beautiful enchantress,
Miss DaI export faithfully portrays. The
! play deals roughly with history, and the
artist rises superior to the text, which is
| haSty and sometimes decends to ignoble
levels. but, on the whole, it enables a true
picture to be drawn of the cruel, beauti-
full, passionate, treacherous daughter of
Ptolemy Auletes. The splendid produce
ton OF Sardou's idea Of the most beautiful
OF queens will be given for the last time
| tonight.
Mr.. Halley's border drama, "Nick
Floyd" in the hands of the Clunie
Opera house company is a success.
The central idea Of the piece is not un-
real-it has had it's counterpart in real
life on the frontiers of civilization. Nor
are the uncouth and rough-hewn charac-
acters Of the piece exaggerated beyond
dramatic license. The piece will rank
with usual border dramas, and in some
particulars is more reasonable and better
plotted. Mr.. Wards Judge is a creation;
it is disguise that is thoroughly artistic
and does infinite credit to the capacity of
Mr.. Ward to step out of the usual line of
characters in which he is best known.
The play is well mounted, acted for all
there is in IL, and is drawing card.
Mr.. Daley announces the return of the
New York Stock Company, which played
here so successfully twenty-three weeks
last year. Daley has taken Armory Hall
for a season of some weeks, and is fitting
it up with stage twenty-three feet deep
and set with good scenery brought from
San Francisco. Sittings will be provided
for 1000 people, and the prices will be 10,
20 and 80 cents. In the troupe are May
Nannary. who was such favorite here
last year; Mr.. Hallett who also won sue
cess here; Clyde Hess, another favorite;
Mr.. Reynolds, low comedian, spoken
of highly; Clarisse, a new soubrette,
whom Mr.. Daley thinks to be second to
none, and support of nine other people.
Next Monday night Boyton's master
piece, Forgiven" will be played, and on
| Friday night of next week "Peck's Bad
Boy" with Clarsse as the boy. Daley,
| Hallett and Reynolds are already in the
city, and arrangements are progressing
rapidly for the opening OF the hall as a
! new place Of dramatic entertainment.
! The mystery and dance, for charity's
sake, will be given by the Ladies' Auxil-
iary of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
1 ThnrSdou OF