The San Francisco call., 1897-01-31

s.Sas. Ss.zz<s
~-G4ENGM@'
De gustibus non est disputandum, which
means that you will have mlslts If you
Try to shape all tastes into the same
mold. l never knew such varied assort-
ment of tastes as were expressed about
Modjeska last week. IN odjeska is great,
Just as brilliant and finished as she was in
the zenith OF her tame," | heard one first
nighter remark, enthusiastically, and an
other bIase critic Clipped in with:
Mod jeskas acting reminds me OF one of
those lovely frescoes tnat once stood out,
well defined and radiant, from the brush
of Leonardo da Vinci, or Luini, but that
are fading out with time and growing
coloress and shadowy," which was very
different opinion from the enthusiastic
frst-nigbter 5, and goes to show that de
gustibus, etc.
For myself, l would not venture upon
an opinion respecting an actress unless
had really heard her, and from where l
sat l could not hear more than half OF
what Nod jeska said, even by remaining
on the qui vlve and straining my ears.
The theater hat, which blots out the stage,
is trying 10 the nervous system OF the
luckless wight who sits behind 1t, but
catching a fragmentary dialogue is almost
as demoraIizing to the nerves. Here,
again, the question OF de gustlbus comes
in One woman, who had heard MOD
jaska many times in her prime, assured
me, after the performance, that 1t was
quite a mistake to think the Polish actress
could not speak as distinctly as she ever
did, and she backed up this statement by
saying: Her voice is not so strong, but
Modieska has improved in her English.
l suggested that had l furnished myself
myself with an aurophone instead of with
opera-g glasses 1 m ght have spoken with
more reliability on the subject, but my
friend secuted my suggestion and unfeel-
ingly said, You must be growing deal.
If misfortune likes company, it Is comfort
ing to know that many other people were
similarly afflicted.
OF "Magda" as a drama there is moth
ing left 10 say. The woman with q past
as the subject for the playwright has been
so thoroughly written and talked about
that contributions 10 the discussion are
no longer thankfully received. Second
Mrs. Tanquerays, Magdas ct al, are mere
ly a question of de gustibus, etc.
In recalling the acting in "Magda"
(apart from the stars impersonation) two
characters stand Out as gooi pieces OF
character drawing. OF course every one
who saw the play Will say at once, the
stern OLD Major and the whole Eearted
unworldly Rector. Haworth had most
exacting role as the stern parent; resisting
all temptations to win cheap applause by
exaggerating Major Schubert's eccentricI-
tes, he entered into the complexities OF
the mans character and never forgot that
Schub was an officer and a gentleman,
though he was perverse old fellow. There
was something absolutely llfellke in his ef-
forts to whis lie the Watch by the Rhine"
in a debonair manner when he had
murder in his heart. The broken melody
and the way he strayed from he key de-
scribed in a more pathetic way than words
the proud spirit, writing in agony but try
ing to hide it's inward preoccupation un-
der a cheerful exterior.
am proud OF Lonergan's success, be-
cause l predicted something OF the sort
for him when he was playing incognito a
few weeks ago at the Grand. He took the
part OF a soldier condemned to die at sun
ri.e and there was a narrowing scene of
suspense while the sun dalEed on the
verge of the horizon. Lonergan was as
dashing and heroic then as he was sincere
~ laS b in ba nd
more subtle character of the rector The
next thing we shall hear is that Daily or
one OF the other great managers has
claimed this young Californian for his
own.
On the opening night of "Magda" some
of the members Of cast showed a spirit
of independence in the Interpretation of
their roles that was positively American.
This robbed the performance OF the subtle
quality of hOmogeneousness and truth to
local coloring, which, for want OF better
word, is sometimes called atmosphere.
as the week progressed the independent
ones improved won erfully, each evi-
IDENTIFY striving to become mere unit in
the success OF the whole play. The Chan
celor threw aside his Monday night s
makeup and became polished man of
the world, whom it would have heen pos
sbie for a fastIdious woman like Magda
to have loved not wisely but too well.
Little Marie became more German and
consequently less distinctively American,
and even Miss Foley, as the maiden aunt,
began to bethink herself that in German
military circles there is nothing absc-
lutely comic about being an old maid
The comedy element is not very predomi-
nant in "Magda, " and it was the weakest
part of the performance, as far as acting
was concerned.
Talking of de gustibus, etc., if Antoin-
cite TrebelIi has gone on progressing as
she promised TO do at the outset of her
career, her singinl should appeal to every
ones taste. remem Der hearing her with
the late Sir Charles Hale's orchestra in
Liverpool soon after her English debut.
The orchestra used to hear so much talent
that it became base, and 1 have seen its
members listen 10 even the great Joachim
with appreciative interest but without
visible enthusiasm. When this young
girl mounted the platform very little was
expe cted from her, as she was regard ed
merely as the heiress to a great name.