The record-union., 1897-04-16

AT the Clunie Opera-houSe this even
ing THE Midnight Alarm" with its hne
scenery, sensational situations, the in
PRODUCTION of a. section of metropol1-
tan fire department and the specialties
of Miss Foster and Mr.. McAlpin-
Seats will be on sale at the box once
Of the Metropolitan Theater tomorrow
morning for the engagement of Mr.. and
Mrs. Russ Whytal in the formers new
play, For Fair Virginia" The drama
has met with unqualified success
wherever it has been presented. In san
Francisco the piece had a long and
prosperous run, and gave entire satls-
faction to the most critical theater-
goers. 1t was first produced in 1899,
and won immediate success. The story
turns about events of the war OF the
rebellion, and, while romantic, is nat
ural, easy in it's action and entirely
probable. 1t is a clean-cut story, close
ly told, set with handsome and pie
turesque scenery, and acted by thor
oughly competent company. The chi
cago Inter Ocean said of the author
and play:
while his work as a stranger might
be regarded as a tentative effort, its
absolute merit will assure it perma-
nancy. Seldom, indeed, has an author
in his premier displayed more tact IN
dramatic construction, and more skill
as a deviser of intrigue, associated with
f1uency in writing dialogue and con-
ceiving character. This dramatiSt has
infused the new drama of purpose with
old time fire Of virility, and made an
amalgamaton that is pure, wholesome
and invigorating."
There was a crowded auditorium at
the Congregational Church last night.
The occasion was an evening Of the
Sacramento Lecture Association, and
the attraction being Miss Effie Elaine
Hext, reader and impersonator; Profes-
sor HoluD, pianist, and the Belgian
violinist. Herr Carl Walther. Profess
sor Hollub is a solo pianist of skill and
good taste, and as an accomp2nlst IS
very superior. Miss Hext is an accom-
plished reader, and personates Shake
spearean characters well. Perhaps she
reads with a bit too much of declama-
tory effort-too much care for distinct
enunciation, most satisfying fault, II
il is one, when we recall so many read
ers it is difficult to understand. She
has fine understanding of what she un-
dertakeS, and invests her work with
feeling that is not marred by self-con-
SCiOusness. She is a comely, graceful,
1.-the young woman, who has made a
thorough study of the Delsartian sys-
tenn of expression. In one number she
gave forty-five pcsings in Greek robes,
representing almost the entire range OF
human emotions. 1t was a classically
beautiful performance and gave entire
satisfaction. Miss Hext is gifted with
a sonorous but musical voice, a very
expressive countenance and manages
each with consummate skill. Her best
reading was as Juliet in the Portian
scene, giving it in costume and with
dramatic effect In humorous reading
and personation she is more than
clever, and in when Jack Comes Late"
proved that she has very large meas
ure of genuine comedy ability. Walther
is an artist in all respects. His play
ing is delicacy itself, but he does not
lack in power More than any artist
we have had here in long time, he be-
comes absorbed in his themes, some
times apparently to forgetfulness of his
audience, SO wrapt is he in the theme
he renders. His playing is remarkably
easy and he is absolutely free from
mannerisms. Modest and unpretentious
on the rostrum, he wins the favor of the
audience with the first tones he evokeS.
An idea of the satisfying character of
his work may be had from the state
nient that he played eight times. though
down for but four numbers on the pro-
gramme. He was under very severe
strain, by the way, since, excepting a
single solo by Professor Holub, he sus
tanned the entire musical part OF the
| entertainment without any effect of
Weariness on the part Of his audience.
! But the company would be greatly i'm
! proved if it had one good vocalist for
variety. Thus equipped, it would be
cne of the best of entertainers. Efforts
are on foot to induce the troupe to play
| q return engagement here.