The record-union., 1896-03-21
OF SONG And PLAY.
News and Notes Of Stage, Actor and
Singer.
TIE Views of New York Clergyman
on the Play and Office of
the Stage.

The largest and most brilliant audi
ence that has assembled in the Metro
politan Theater for many years was
that of last night to see Frederick
Warde and his company in king
Lear" Not only was every seat in the
house sold. but many people stood the
entire evening, especially in the balcony
section, which fairly overf1owed with
humanity 1t was not only a large au-
dience, but a most discriminating and
representative one, manifesting by its
method and application of applause and
its recalls a fine sense Of propriety and
good taste No Shakespear play has
ever been staged better and few as well
at the Metropolitan as regards scenery.
Many of the scenes, especially those of
the fourth and fifth acts, were art works
in the scenic line of notable superiority.
The scenery in the first, second and
third acts was not less impressive and
detailed, but it was not of the character,
rot landscape, that draw out such warm
commendation as was bestowed upon
the other sets. The tempest scene
was particularly effective, and about as
near realization OF the storm Shakes
peare probably had in mind as it is pos
sible to reproduce upon a local stage.
Mr.. Wardes support was, in chief, that
afforded by Mr. Herman, who has so
often appeared her; Miss Fanny Gill
lette, Miss Lucia Moore and Mrs. E.
Waldron, Charles Sutton, Beverly Tur-
ner, Harry Byers and John c. Hickey.
Save the difficulty Mr. Turner finds in
enunciating with distinctness the sup
port named was adequate, and well sus-
tanned the principal In some other
members of Mr.. Warde's company there
is less merit, so far as last nights play
demanded exhibition of ability and fit
ness.
Mr.. Warde's Lear is his masterpiece
in tragedy. He has done nothing here
in his many visits so well, or that so
emphasizes his fine ability, or that has
added so many laurels to his reputa-
tion. We are not saying that it is a
work of genius, but it is the work of
close student of high Intelligence and
clear perceptions, and of an artist more
than painstaking. If it is not genius
that distinguishes Mr.. Warde in Shake
spearean drama-as it assuredly is not
lit is that which is perhaps of higher
value and more lasting merit, intelli-
genee, feeling, sensibility, refined taste
and admirable judgment. Warde's
taste pervades whatever is produced
under his direction, which makes us
think that he must at times grow res
tive under the necessity of submitting
to the infliction of some inadequate
support But it is probable that it is
impossible to carry the venture of such
work as Warde undertakes upon the
road with all appointments super
excellent While in Lear Mr.. Warde's
comprehension is quick and clear and
his intelligence is mastery, one cannot
divest himself of the feeling that the
artful is prominent. 1t is splendid
stvIe and wonderful method through
out, but while not without feeling 1t is
nevertheless not that abandon which
distinguishes genius. But Mr.. Warde
experiences no regrets in that direc-
ton His work is mastery, and he
knows it. His comprehension is too
subtle and his judgment too well bal
anced for him to be self-deceived. He IS
doing a grand work in the dramatic
field, and it is hard work, the work OF
an accomplished student, a consum-
mate actor. an ardent lover of the
legitimate drama, an apostle Of the
stage, an artist with aspirations that
he will never satisfy, because his aims
viii continue to be loftier than the pos
sibility of his accomplishment. The
stage is honored by such a splendid
artist and graceful and generous a gem
tleman as Mr. Warde, and the people
make frank acknowledgment of their
conviction of that fact If he is not
absorbed by the passion of the plays he
gives, his assumption of that condition
is so near to the real that the art OF
it all entities him to a lofty seat among
the greater successful dramatic read
ers and artists of the age.
This afternoon Mr.. Warde and COM
pany will present the tragedy Julius
Caesar" in which he has few peers.
That such a play should be given for
matinee is q tribute to the taste of the
theater-goers Of Sacramento. In re-
Spouse they should crowd the house.
The High School pupils and friends
have made up a party of 12o for this
afternoon for the parquet. Tonight the
romantic and beautiful play Damon
and Pythias." always a popular drama,
and played by Warde and Herman as
few artists living can or do present it.
On this occasion. too, the theater should
be filed that the community may tes-
tify to its readiness to support the legit-
innate. the fine art and true merit in
dramatic work. Last night Mr.. Warde
was thrice called out and, on the last
occasion he was called upon for and
made a graceful speech-and, by the
way. he is one of the readiest and quick
est witted impromptu speakers of his
profession. if not the best of them all.
He said last evening that which bore the
stamp OF sincerity, that such a brilliant
audience. such appreciation as was
manifest. was the very best encourage
ment that a community can give to the
effort to present interpretations of the
works of the great bard, and cultivate a
taste for the better drama. As he was
called out a beautiful rower-piece was
lifted to the stage ana presented to him
bv. members of the Benevolent Protec-
tive Order of EIks. 1t stood four feet
six inches high, was in the form of an
easel bearing a panel of flowers and, on
which was worked Mr.. Warde's name,
the initials of the order, the number of
the local division of it or lodge and a
clock dial, with the hand marking the
hour Ill It was a beautiful floral
work, indeed, a masterpiece of the flor
lists art. The Ellzs entertained Mr..
Warde late last night at their lodge
room.
Hoyt's "A Texas Steer now in a
splendid run at San Francisco, will be
brought out at the Metropolitan The
ater Wednesday evening next. The cast
viii be substantially the original,
headed by Tim Murphy, in his remark
ably clever imperSonation of Maver-