The record-union., 1896-04-25
ADJUSTMENTS.

At the Metropolitan Theater last
night Frank Mayo, the favorite actor
and cultivated artist, had tine audi
ence to witness the presentation OF ms
own dramatization of Mark Twain
latest novel, ''Pudd'nhead Wilson" The
company Mr.. Mayo has gathered about
him is very superior There is no weak
timber in it. 1t is, indeed, phenomen-
ally strong. It's members do some of the
neatest bits of character acting it has
been our fortune to see in a long time.
AS for Mr.. Mayo, his conception Of the
character giving it's name to the story
and play is not what all readers of the
deeply interesting and strongly dra-
matte story will form To our mind he
makes it little too slow in action and
heavy of comprehension. Yet his idea
of it can be fortified from the novel;.
We are by no means sure that in drama
it would be so effective if more spirited
and quicker of thought. Certainly Mr..
Mayo has made of it a strong charac-
ter; his work in it is simply faultless.
Miss Moretti's Roxy is one of the most
artistic finished, careful and effective
studies on the modern stage. 1t is
creation that rises to the upper levels
Of the best in dramatic art of this or
der. The play is mounted with close
attention to detail correspondent to the
time of it's action that is most refresh
ing. The costumes, the rooms of the in
teriors, the fittings of the houses, the
fashions in clothing and in furniture TO
the smallest matter are those thirty
seven years ago. To the greater num-
Der in the audience these copies of the
earlier times must have been curious
revelations. The hoped skirts, the
tucks and frills, the ruffied shirts, the
fiat-brimmed hats, the long coat skirts,
the f1ashy waistcoats, the Old-fashioned
CATERS, the thick neck-handkerchiefs
the bell bottomed and the skin-tight
pantaloons, the old-fashioned wall pa
per- the mahogany furniture, heavy ana
hCmely-in short, the details to the
smallest, told of a time more than
third of a century ago. No play given
here in a long time has been better, II
so well, played. It is story Of deep,
human interest, almost tragic it may
be said, yet relieved by some of the
quaintest humor and dryest of wit, with
flashes of spirit and exhibitions of
chivalrous conduct and manly bearing,
that create the livelest enthusiasm.
The applause and laughter last evening
were very frequent and thoroughly
sincere The story is one of the old
slavery days, and it involves a pitiful
tale of wrong, deceit and cowardice,
but through it run threads of humor
speaking wholly Of Mark Twain and
his peculiarities in wit
Not all the story is told in the play
That would be impossible. But the
stronger points have been made and
the better situations preserved. The
strange characters known as "The
Twins are barely seen in the play,
and only a faint suggestion made of
the part they take in the story. Nor is
there much time given to making clear
the deceit of the bogus rom Driscoll,
the devotion of Roxy to his cause and
her cunning devices in his behalf. nor
yet of his miserable career as a gam
bier and a sneak. The auditor gets
only a bare suggestion of the truth
about these characters, for the play
must go on and the climax be reached
without celebrating so many charac-
ters. 1t is wonderfully strong play.
It is easy to understand why it has
everywhere is called up on it's scenes
over and over again. 1t will be re-
| peated tonight fer the last time. 1t
| ought to draw another full house AS
| a dramatic story it is one of the best
| of American type. 1t presents to view
| a class of characters truthfuliy per-
sonated and without exaggeration that
are so often merely burlesQued by those
| who attempt them. It pulls aside the
| curtain from the shameful tale of slav-
| cry and it's incident scandals and
wrongs. 1t introduces us to d most
novel theory regarding means of ident-
| ification of persons; it tells a story of
| human interest, of dramatic intensity
and picturesque charm, and as for its
acting it affords opportunity TO seewhat
a letter perfect, admirably trained and
close studying company Of intelligent
| artists can do.
| At the Clunie Opera house this after
noon at 2, this evening at and To-
morrow evening for the last times the
| Hodges Company in the rollicking farce
comedy, 1.-THE Private Secretary" with
speciality performances of dance, song,
minstrelsy and trick bicycle riding. y
thoroughly good and enjoyable enter
| tainment.
/
!