The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-12-07
ADJUSTMENTS.

"HELENA'-Mr. Robert Downing
made his second appearance before a
Salt Lake audience last evening, and
was greeted by a gathering such as the
theatre has not held for some time
past. 1t was in all way brilliant, dis
eliminating and representative. Mr..
Downing has been before the public
ten years as a star on his own &C
count and prior to that time he was
well known as an actor of established
position with Mary Anderson and
Joseph Jefferson: hence his name has
been for long time in the public eye,
and this fact, rather than any over
weening gifts of his own, allied to per-
sistent booming on the part of his
manager, serves to give him a profit
able degree of popularity. Added to
all, was the announcement that his
repertoire this season was headed by
a new play from the pen of the great
dramatist Sardou. We wish it Were
possible to set down that Helena"
met with the great reception almost
invariably accorded the masters plays
in this city; Fedora "A Scrap of
Paper" La Tosca' and others, have
made such deep impressions that the
idea was general that Sardou could lay
his hand to nothing that did not come
forth a thing of artistic beauty. But
we only record our regret and disap-
pointment, when we say that Helena"
is in all ways unworthy the
genius of the man who wrote
it. Its plot, its motive, is
only fifty to be described by the two
words-revoltingly loathsome. 1t will
astonish those who are aware of the
wide difference between French and
American audiences, to know that in
the original this play Called La Heine,
or Hatred was much broader and
holder than even last nights version.
The absence of any marked enthuSi-
asm over the beautiful scenery, the
appointments, music and some portions
of the acting, must be set down to the
fact that the audience could feel no
sort of sympathy with anything con-
nected with the production, after the
heroine is brought on the stage and
made to describe her own shame in
such hideous detail. Such a theme for
a drama can be called nothing less
than shocking, and il is astounding
that such a play should ever have
been dragged from it's reekfng French
surroundings and offered to a cultured
American audience. Why Sardou
should have been compelled to go back
to the days of the Guelphs and Ghib-
belines for his theme, is a mystery.
II the taste of his auditors demands
such delectable fare he need only to
turn to the almost daily press dis
patches from the negro portions of
the United States to gather material
ready made. AS for the acting, it only
needs be said that Mr.. Downing
was vigorous and energetic without at
any time rising to heights of greatne
If he could reduce his avordupois he
would better fill the heroic ideal. Miss
Eugenia Blair did the best acting of
the night in the most unwelcorne role
OF the heroine. Miss r. NJ Bates, an
old4tmer in Salt Lake, did capable
work and the support was generally
good Too much praise cannot be
given the stage work of the piece. the
scenery, coStuming and the music under
Mr.. Wei.he, who made his re-entry as
leader of the orchestra, all being of the
highest class. 1t was in all respects a
production.
This afternoon Mr.. Downing presents
Shakespeare famous Julius CaAser"
and big Populations from the schools
are expected to be on hand to witness
the rendition of the historical tragedy.
Tonight the enga cement closes with
Ingomar," Miss Blair enacting Par
thenia.
AT THE GRAND-The play of "Wo-
man Against Woman" will be seen for
the last time this afternoon and even
ing. Mr.. Ingersoll will celebrate the
success of the piece tonight by giving
a large box party.