The record-union., 1894-03-20
ADJUSTMENTS.

ID. *. Higgins romantic comedy drama
"Burr Oaks was presented for the first
time here at the Clunie Opera-house last
night. The leading characters were sus-
tained by Mr.. Higgins, George Waldron,
Frank Armstrong, Andrew Waldron,
Jennie Calef, Frank Bacon, Frank
Cooley, Miss Weidman and James Nc
Curdy, not forgetting little Ada Wilkie,
effective i'll child's part. The play is
we'll staged, and the scenic effects are
good. 1t is we'll acted throughout-ther
is no weak timber in the cast-and the
members of the company throw into
their parts spirit. energy, earnestness
that is highly praiSeWorthy. No one may
be selected as specially stronger than an
other in the cast. The true artist con-
siders not at all the contrasts of
his work with that of others, nor
does he seek to over-color his part;
he searches tor the thought and intention
Of the author. and does his utmost to give
it personality, to realize it and make it
fill just the place intended for it, and no
more. When there is strained effort to
give it undue prominence, the harmony
of the play is disturbed, and the tone of
it marred. Even excellence and nice
perception of the limitations OF the parts.
is what makes the performance of Burr
Oaks" successful. 1t is full enough of
comedy and serious situations, of striking
tableauX and romantic passages to please
the audiences that do not care to be
taxed heavily on the intellectual and
emotional sides. There is one feature
about it that needs connection or ex-
planation-perhaps failure in that regard
last night may have been due to too quick
a curtain--namely: After the arch-villain
Werner is captured and handcuffed by
Jess and Sallie, how comes it that almost
Immediately atterward he appears free
man and an aggressor and that the play
ends with his career, apparently, not
closed? Burr Oaks again tonight.
The Lecture Asso citation presented last
night, as a part of its second course, a
concert by 1.-The Chicago Lady Quar-
tette." The Congregational Church was
packed. 1t was uncomfortably crowded
and many were compelled to stand up, TO
their own discomfort and that of others.
Probably not less than 900, or perhaps
LOCO, people were in the auditorium.
The audience came to be amused; it an
ticipated a light, largely mirthful, alto
gether novel and pleasant musical enter
tainment, and it was not disappointed.
The programme was carried out III the
order announced in yesterdays RECORD
UNION, only that it was nearly twice as
long, as quite every numb Der was encored
and Il response made, and in two cases
two responses. The troupe appears we'll
on the stage; is personally attractive.
The concert was novelty-the first of
the kind ever given here. The quartet,
its method ami its close following of the
manner of male concert quartets in
themselves were attractive novelties.
The women were heard both as soloists
and in concerted numbers. None of
them are phenomenal singers; but
none of them are poor vocalists.
In quartet they are charming because
they are careful not to attempt too much;
they have carefully cultivated all the
tricks so to speak, of quartet vocaliza-
ton. They understand how to still an
audience with diininuendo and pianissi-
mo effects; how TO play upon the auditory
nerve, captivatingly almost whispered
repetilions and such hushed and far away
and echo effects as the old Hutchinson
| Family, the Continentals, the Baker
troupe, and similar concert calisthenic
practitioners INDUCED in so successfully
years ago. They supply the want of the
| basso, with an alto OF exceeding deep and
very mellow tone, but OF very limited
compass. This element is fortified by a
| strong, rich, young cOntraltO voice, ad-
mlrably adapted to the need. The mezzo-
! soprano serves for a second tenor excel
Ientiy. She has good serviceable, strong
and musical voice. The soprano is sweet
and limpid; very modest and retiring
voice, but lacking in the strength and
vigor essential as foil TO the other three.
The singers have stock OF mirthful,
quaint aud musical songs, chants, rounds,
| gIees and ballads for encores that take"
The music chosen was not of high level,
neither was it tritiing; it was just Of the
order for such combination and for the
effect sought. The audience was pleased;