The record-union., 1896-03-17
ADJUSTMENTS.

by G. T. DaZey, author of In Old Ken
lucky" The play mas had much praise
in San Francisco and some sharp criti-
cism. The chief objection to 1T that we
have seen made is that it is melo-
drama, and much as melodramas are.
CIR, as one critic puts it, I'VE want the
villain disposed of after some new fash
ion" However, the burden of opinion
appears to be in favor of the play with
an emphasis, and asuredly it is in
hearty sympathy with Miss Putnam
and her support, and with the fine
scenic effects of the drama, and these
are conceded to be exceptionally strong.
One of the several beautiful scenes rep
resents Miss Putnam's charming home
retreat en- the shores Of Lake Michigan,
and another takes one into the midst of
the wonders of Yellowstone Park. with
q reduced example of "Old Faithful -
the alternating geyser in full play.
Much of the action of the play is laid in
Yellowstone Park, and there are other
very handsome scenes of that region,
and fine scenery also Of still other char
aeter. Miss Putnam's success in the
piece has been pronounced, and after ali
that is the best test of merit when the
scenic drama is attempted, for it is a
day of demand for novelty. The hub of
the drama involves ar attempted muir
der at the mouth of an old lime kiln.
The villain of the play and an officer in
the United States regular army have a
struggle at the edge Of a cliff into which
the kiln has been built. The burly lime
burner overpoWers the young officer
and hurls him into the burning pit. The
timely arrival of the heroine of the plot
saves the officer from his death. The
incident is based upon fact, Mr.. Dazey
when a boy having been a witness to
just such a struggle, which resulted in
actual murder in the manner described,
and furnished a cause celebre in the
courts in the State of Vermont
There was large audience at the
opera house last night Mr. Mobiles
rattling comedy, For Revenue Only
took like wild fire. 1t kept the audi
ence in roar of laughter and drew loud
applause, albeit there are two or three
touches of appealing, fine sentiment
and many soft and gentle passages of
pure love, without any spooniness or
froth about them. The play is a keen
satire; all in all, the wittiest thing No
bles has given us, but by no means the
most scholarly. But it is not call for
marked mental effort 1t is a scintil-
lating play of wit and a steady flow and
bubble of humor. 1t is clean as driven
snow, not having so much as a single
suggestive word. 1t is an incisive, tell
ing hit upon politicaI methods as en-
ployed by the unscrupulous politician,
who promises all things and performs
nothing. 1t makes sport of professional
reformers and strips the mask from
hypocrisy. The story is simple, the
plot mere gossamer, but it serves A
| Bohemian, a man of his wits, but withal
an honorable fellow outside of political
scheming, in which he has been taught
| that 'all is fair and who is a happy
| go-lucky reporter also, by the hardest
| of cheek but the wittiest of devices
| manages to force the attention of a
wealthy man, whom he induces to run
for office and to buy a newspaper to be
edited in the candidates interest by the
adventurer. The fellow then gathers a
committee of Republicans, Democrats
| Woman Suffragists, Prohibitionists
and Populists to work all parties in his
! candidates interest. Just how he does
| it is most ludicrously illustrated AS
editor of his campaign sheet he has the
| liveliest kind of experience with peo-
pie who want retraction, and this par
ticular scene in an editorial room of a
| Slam bang sensational paper is pune
tured all through with capital hits All
| in all, it is the merriest kind of a play
and better than any other comedy Mr.
| Mobiles has written. 1t tickles the fancy
of all classes of auditors. 1t ought to
crowd the house the week through
| Friday evening Sacramento theater-
goers will honor themselves in showing
their appreciation Of genius in the high
est forms of dramatic art by filing the
| Metropolitan Theater at the opening OF
! the engagement of Frederick Warde
| Of all the players who make a tour OF
/ the country and touch ait Sacramento
once a year, none have a greater OF
more loyal following than this tireless
student and accomplished actor. His
prominence as an artist and an educator
IS due to the fact that he is a student
and originator and true interpreter and
not a player only, not merely mum
ner simply speaking lines. Warde
studies and thinks, and more than that
| he gives the public the benefit of his
| thoughts and deductions-he lectures
| Those who heard him here last year
when he lectured for the School of De-
sign one and all said: IT have learned
| something. I have been more than en-
tertained." His engagement here this
year is notable chiefly for the produc-
tion of King Lear" which is now said
| ra Ia h lie nd Of 1na 4es.t
performances of the age in this country
In all the range of Shakespearean char
acters there is certainly no more diff
cult role, and it is for that reason that
we have seen very little of it. There
are and have been few actors who have
dared to attempt the part of Lear be-
cause they felt their inability to meet
its demands. That Mr. Warde has at
tempted and achieved q success as Lear
! is further proof of his superior ability
The scenic production OF the play is said
/ To equal the acting in its merits. The
other plays to be presented are Julius
Caesar" and Damon and Pythias. .
They will both be adequately cast and
handsomely staged we are assured
While the press Of San Francisco and
the south have always expressed high
est respect for Warde and his art and
praised him without stint, and found in
him the least Of which to complain. they
this year exceed their former warmth
and unite in commendatory expression
of the most ardent character. Mr.
! Warde's support here will be Charles d
Herman, Charles Sutton, Beverly w
| Turner, II. D. Byers, Henry c. Barton
Ernest c. Warde, Grant Foreman, Miss
Fanny Gillette, Miss Lucia Moore, Miss
l-.1.....s.,1. HI LII,