The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-07-27
ADJUSTMENTS

'The Old Homestead" drew an i'm
mense audience to the Metropolitan
Theater last night. The auditorium was
crowded, and more representative audi
ence has not gathered in that house. 1t
deserved the very best the Denman
Thompson Company had in the shop.
So far as the actors are concerned it got
its deserving. They are capable people
and the musical strength and merit OF
The company is very superior. The
Old Homestead" is really no drama. 1t
has no plot worth the name. 1t is
simply a series OF charming pictures of
life in al old-time rural New England
home. That these draw so we'll testifies
to respect and love we all have for
homely, honest and truthful living, and
for the rugged integrity OF the old order
in go many rural homes where there has
been no invasion by the arts of fashion
and the stiff and often dishonest con-
ventions of society as known in con-
gested populations. Mr. Wilson, the
Joshua Whtcomb Of the piece, is not OF
course Denman Thompson. But he is
original He does not attempt TO copy
after Thompson, but gives US Joshua of
his own. and it Is a strong aud reason
able one. The support outside of
that given in the characters of Seth and
Cy and Happy Jack was not superior; in-
deed, 1t was ordinary. But then il has so
little to do, is so lnc0nsequential, that il
makes very little difference what it is.
The singers, with Jose. the c0unter-tenOr,
however, are to be excepted. They are
excellent. and their beautiful double
quartets were treats. The play whole,
therefore, satisfied; its hOnely simplicity
and its ring of manly sentiment were
keenly enjoyed. The play Will be re-
peated tonight and will doubtless again
hli the house. 1t is a long piece 1t will
not bear any hurrying- To hasten would
be to ruin the beautiful pictures of the
play. Hence it was that the management
sought to have the audience seated so
that the curtain could rise at sharp.
But large numbers of people drifted in
ZAP TO $50 10 the discomfort of those who
came on time. Ii Is proposed tonight to
adopt the Eastern rule requiring late
Corners 10 remain in the lobby after an
act has begun and until the curtain falls
upon ii. But we doubt ii it can be en-
forced after years OF usage to which our
people appear to be enslayed, namely, TO
come to the play at $40. But the piece
will begin this evening at sharp, and
the first act will be over before $50 and
$50 people arrive.
The practice of docking dramas of
scenery and effects for Sacramento, after
they have been given in full in other
California cities, will not "go" here. 1t
has been endured long time. but should
not be tolerated any longer. Sacramento
is entitled to precisely as decent treat
,nent by travelling shows as is accorded
Oakland. San Francisco and other cities,
..The Old Homestead Company put but
one of its specially announced sets on last
night. that of Grace Church. The
others. the farm-yard scene and the
kitchen interior were shipped on TO Port
land. It is said that an accident to the
1irst prevented its use, but no such plea
is assailable as to the other. In conse-
ouence the audience was given New
england kitchen scene on cold winter
,ig6t without the chief features belong
mo to il. A Metropolitan set was
used. and it fitted into the play about as
well as an Uncle Toms Cabin set
would lit into the tragedy OF King
John. The audience was really