The record-union., 1894-03-13
AMuSRMFNTS

D. *. Higgins "Ycnd etta' was pro
duced at the opera-house last night to q
good first-night house. 1t was well re-
ceived; it is finely mounted, has strong
spectacular features, many stirring
scenes. an understandable tragic plot and
presents some capital character acting.
1t is sensational to the furtherest limit.
but it IS not improbable. The history OF
not blood, gambling hells, unholy pas
! sion. the Paris Commune and the SiciI-
ian vendetta are full OF Just such stories.
spread over longer time, of course,
and therefore losing something OF
the crimson color compression into
one evenings play gives them. Mr..
higgins has done good work OF
the sensational order in this play,
1t has original features, unique features.
that do his fancy credit, and suggest that
his imagination is reasonably controlled
by his skill in stage craft. The character
OF CASTOR tacted admirably by Mr.. Arm
/ strongl for Instance, is strongly drawn,
and the repulSiye one of De Lonne lex
cellently sustained by Mr.. Cooley not
unnatural; nor yet that of the weak ac-
conlpliee, Rallia. But the strongest
character in the play is that of Ricardo,
sustained by Mr.. Higgins, proving for
him versatile capacity and a great deal
of tragic strength. Unlike that in which
he was seen last week, the character is
without comedy lights: it is all vigor
action, high tension and strong dramatic
color. 1t is simple justice to say that
Mr.. Higgins scores distinct success in
the role. Miss Powers appears to good
advantage, though in an uniovely char
acter. This young lady is developing
rapidly as an all-round stock actress, and
has clear way before her if she is not
discouraged easily. Miss Waldron's
part OF the heroine is rather tame and
calls for very little dramatic strength.
The lady developed all there is
in it. MIR. Waldron, Miss Calef and
Mr.. Bacon had the comedy lines,
but they are very few. and to excuse the
characters personated for being in the
play is asking a good deal from good
nature. However, they do throw in a
little light here and there, though it
comes in dabs. Mr.. McCurdy does a very
clever bit of doubling in this play, and
fills the parts without a flaw in his work.
The most sensational scenes in the drama
are the collision at sea, the blowing up of
the prison, and the explosion in the
gam bling parlors at Monte Carlo. The
latter is very strong and excellently
balanced one-indeed, it is the best dra-
matte effect in the play. Vendetta" will
take" 1t pleased so well last night that
the curtain went up three times on one of
the scenes, and twice on number. 1t
will be repeated every night this week,
and for a thorough sensation play, that
acts as many strong French novels read,
it is superior to very many of its order.
The sale of seats began yesterday for
the o. \ ell and the Palmer Company en-
gagements, and was good, better even
than was look ed for on first day.
Sousas new band went through to San
Francisco from the East yesterday, Cen
tlemen in this city are in negotiation with
Sousa to secure the band for two concerts
in Sacramento. When Sousa was here
before he was leader Of the United States
Marine Band.
At the Westminster Presbyterian
Church, on this and tomorrow evenings,
Rev. j. w. Lundy will exhibit his mag
nifieent Worlds Fair views, and lecture