The record-union., 1893-05-23
ADJUSTMENTS

There ls lively interest in the play Of
The Octoroon' that even the oldest
theater-goers cannot refuse to recognize.
If one has seen the play twenty times. it
has quite as strong attractions for him
the twenty-lirst time as it did at the first.
There is about it a revelation of old-time
Southean character that softens very
much the harshness Of the slavery svs
lem-thls, Notwithstanding the fact that
the play presents one of the worst phases
OF negro slavery by exposing the cruelty
possible under system that held in bond
age those with but one drop of the blood
OF the black in every eight coursing in
their veins. "The Octoroon," to be given
with all dramatic intensity, calls for q
stage full of blacks and large proup If
whites, especially in the auction scene
and IN the third act at the river side. In
small company, playing for low prices,
such outhttlng calls for more than can he
reasonably expected. Attention to detail
Is everything III such play, and that it
cannot be given at the Clunie Opera
house with that attention is regrettabIe
But when this IS said, it remains that all
the leading characters there are few
that do not rank as very important-are
In good hands with the drama in
the case of the members of Mr..
Dailey's New York Stock Company.
Miss Nannary was model Zoe.
We have seen the best, and the memory
of the splendid personation of tho
character by Sophie Edwin will never
die out, nor that of Agnes Perry and
other fine artists who have filed the role.
But we can cordially indorse Miss Nan
nary'S OctOroon as a finished, painstak-
ing and heart-whole performance. full of
feeling, full Of spirit, charged TO the briIn
with pathoS and overlooking with the
tenderness of love. Mr.. Shows Scudder
presented him so completely opposed to
anything he has done here that we can
scarcely pass upon his effort. 1t was bv
no means weak; 1t lacked perhaps onIy
in the necessary emphasis and dialect of
the Yankee character. Mr.. Halletts IN
dian was admirable and won him such
cheering and insistence from the gallery
that he had to bow his thanks. Mr..
Waldron's Pete was faultless-be must
have studied the character from life IN
old Tennessee. Jennie Calers Paul
was, as Is all she does, good:
with animal spirit. Mr.. Cleaves was
McCloskey, the villain. 1t was well done.
it is q difficult, thanllless part. We in
cline to the belief that Mr.. Cleaves has
not played anything better here. AS
usual, he is too lOud-Yoiced; he might he
as intense and less Yociterous, but he puts
such vigor and life Into the part that he
duel between McCloskey and the Indian
was one of the most thrilling scenes vet
given on the Opera-house stage. Miss
May Powers for the first time she has
taken to the stage had a real leading part.
Her Dora Sunnyside, while little too
simpering and girlish, was very good
work. Dora, she must keep in mind. is
young lady of wealth and high feeling.
young woman of society, though a will
ful and petted child. Miss Powers puts
such earnestness into her work, has her
lines so perfectly. is OF such good stare
presence and is so patiently ambi-
tious that it is safe to say she will
make her mark in the profession
very emphatically. Mr.. Daley appeared
as the auctioneer and made a good one.
though he evidently took up his lines
late. Mr.. Hess as Peyton presented
good example of the character; there is
little in it, but that little needs to be we'll
done, and Mr.. Hess was fully equal TO
the duty. Lizzie Lingham made an nm
exceptionable Mrs. Peyton, q gentle. for
giving, suffering woman Of the old school
Of matrons. The piece took well, and as
it is up for weeks run it is safe to pre-
dict that it will draw full houses. Last
night was its first in this city for a num-
Der Of years-to very many it was, there
fore. a revelation.
Jones, Fisch & Watson will give an
'old clothes" party at Turner Hall this