The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-05-19
ADJUSTMENTS.
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AT THE THEATER-"Fa is a
story that has been so often Bbld, either
as a. play or an opera, that it is some
thing of a marvel that 1T still remains
in any actors repertory. Yet Irving
in London and on his present Amerl-
can tour, Lewis Morrison in New York,
Roberts on his western jaunt and John
Grifiths all over the country-still
find the old story potent one to charm
audiences with. A good audience was
in attendance last evening at the the
alter when Mr.. Griffiths made his sec
ond appearance in this city in the
character of Mephisto. The production
is fine one in scenery, cast, music
and appointments, and 1t should pc
said at once that the exquisite rendl-
ttion of the music from Gounod's opera
by Mr.. Weihes orchestra, contributed
in no small degree to the whole effect.
The company is stronger than before in
its Marguerite played by Miss Cur
tbs, and in it's Faust" enacted by Mr..
Lyman A pleasant surprise was given
the audience in the unexpected appear
ance of Mr.. Will ,Smedley of this city
in the important role of Valentine; this
young gentleman was understood to be
singing in some eastern company. and
few, if any, knew he was playing one
of the conspicuous roles in the Faust"
company. He acquitted himself With
distinguished credit, the death scene
being specially good, and for it he
was warmly called before the curtain.
He is concealed on the bills as Mr.. w.
V. Leland. Mr.. Griffiths' delineation of
the demon we all know; it is not so
good as Lewis Morrisons, but it is
l0xr; 1- how a
seen. We do not look at Mr.. Griffiths
as prodigy of acting, and we cannot
understand why, after working up
scene with really good effect in the
center of the stage, he should bring it
to such an anti-climaX by working
such undemonlike matter of fact ex-
its. Mr.. Griffiths' chief claim to a
niche in the temple of fame will, we
opine, result rather from his ambitious
productions, than from his individual
superiority as an actor The scenery
was picturesque throughout, and the
we'll known Broecker scene, while not
now the novelty to call forth the en-
thusiasm it once did, was effectively
and weirdly handled. The male quar-
tette evoked applause. Tonight the en-
gagement closes with "A Fools Re
venge," the play in which Edwin Booth
d.
AT THE GRAND-'.The Planters
Wife" is the play selected for Walter
Edwards to make his final bow in, and
from the enthusiastic demonstrations
last evening there could not have been
a better selection made. Double cur
tain calls We're given both Mr.. Edwards
and Miss Remark; both these admir-
able artists had strong opportunities;
so it goes without saying that both
made emphatic hits. The whole produc
ton seemed to take strong hold of the
audience, as it is the sort of popular
melodrama written for and in behalf
of the not too discriminating masses;
it is full of interest and excitement
with pleasant intermingling of COM
edy, the strong parts being in the
hands of Miss Remark, Mr.. Edwards
and Mr.. King, and the comedy roles in
those Of Mr.. Blakemore, Miss Cooke
and Miss Henry, there could of course
be but one tale to be told. The south
ern atmosphere pervading the play
was notably created by Mr.. Edwards
and Mr.. Blakemore; the others all
seemed to have been raised in the
north" Mr.. King was better than he
has been for some time past, and the
same can be said for Mr.. Royce, de-
spite several faltS he made. Miss
Truax deserves special praise for her
naturalness and earnestness, always
her chief charm. Without doubt The
Planters Wife" will do good business
all the week, as it is one of the most
complete productions the Grand man
agement has lately put on. Last nights
audience was far above the Monday
average.
AT THE LYCEUM.-The regulation
Divorced last evening 1t is the we'll
known sensational play by BARLEY
Campbell, variously known as Fate
"Matrimony'' and Divorced" and it's
ultra melodramatic and broad comedy
effects seemed to strike The fancy of
the audience particularly. 1t was pro-
duced with an evenly good cast in most
respects-a surprising one when the
prices charged are remembered. Miss
Hall carried off the honors, and Mr.
Brinker was a good hero, though not
one STEPPED in his lines. The new man,
Mr.. Edmonds, knows his business, but
could improve his facial effect with a
beard and his general effect by less
ranting. Miss Gleason played earnest
ly a most disagreeable part, and Mr.
Gleason, as the bum cannot be
ranked as more than fair. The Rus
sells got the usual applause for a new
acrobatlc feat, IN our opinion, how
ever, the lady would do well to confine
her singing exclusively to her dancing.
MAYO'S SALE.-There has not been
such crowd around the box office
since the Tavary Opera company sale
as that which The opening of the "Pud-
din head Wilson sale attracted yester-
day morning. The throng reached far
out into the street. and it took Treas
seats wanted for the four nights the
engagement will last. Mayo's perform
ance is the sort that Grams the house |
on the opening night and invariably |
closes to more than it opened to. The
Herald repeats its advice to the public |
to be in time to hear the opening of the
prologue of "Puddin' head Wilson," or
much Of interest will be lost.