The record-union., 1897-10-16
ADJUSTMENTS. A

There was fine audience at the Me-
tropolitan last night to welcome VIM.
H. Crane, great favorite in Sacramento
years ago, and as pronounced a favor
ite to-day, while he is a far more skilled
artist than when he first Won the COM
mendation of this public. The play in
which Mr.. Crane reappeared, "A Fool
of Fortune is a powerful one, full Of
human interest, charged with action
and story which engage the closest at
tention and enlist the tenderest sympa
thies. 1t is the story of an honest Wall
stree broker who wronged no man, and
when the hand of failing fortune came
refused to rise by the sacrifice of his
friends, by engaging their money in his
ventures. The comedy vein that runs
through it is of the order of humor that
enlists the intelligence more than it
quickens mirth. Mr.. Crane as Cunning
ham, the broker, gives us q piece Of
dramatic work that is finished in every
DETAIL unaffected, natural, soulful and
human. There is in the work the art
that is born Of naturalness. There is
no straining after effect. 1t is simpllcI-
ty in the fullest sense. 1t is so arttuI
as not to seem to be stimulation. The
support of the star was excellent. There
is no weak timber in the composition
of the troupe; it is satisfying IN the
fullest sense to witness a performance
by a body of players such as Mr.. crane
has gathered about him. Where all
are of even excellence there can scarce
ly be the naming of one who is more
notable in good work than another
But if any distinctions are to be drawn,
we should say that the most natural
character, the best and the most hu-
manly acted, and most effective of any
in the hands of the support, was the
personation of the farmer friend of the
broker by Mr.. Boag. Next to that in
fine art work, was the assumption by
Mr.. Hale of the character Of the Count
The play was admirably staged, placed
upon the boards with a nicety of detail
not often seen. Mr. Crane was solicited
to play tonight and take the overland
train East after the performance. He
declined to do so, because it would ne
cessitate haste of performance which
he would not indulge in at the expense
of his audience. Accordingly, the COM
pany will appear in the charming COM
edy, Z" Virginia Courtship," at O'Clock
this afternoon at reduced prices, name
ly, 25e, SOC, Toe and ST. The scene of
the comedy is in Virginia, and the time
is the early days of this century. This
sparkling play is the latest addition to
Mr.. Cranes repertoire, and was first
played in San Francisco recently. The
play bears a striking resemblance to
many of the old comedies. and is in fact
modelled after them. It's scenes take
enc back to the early part of the CEN
tury, when Virginia was a colony and
when knee breeches and powdered wigs
were affected by the men. The war be-
tween France and England has caused
a disruption in the friendly relations
between two families who live on ad-
joining plantations. Major Fairfax is
a peppery old fellow, whose ancestor.
Lord Fairfax, was one of the earliest
settlers in the colony. His neighbor is
Madame Robert, French widow, and
the mother of charming daughter
The Major has a son and the young fell
low falls in love with Miss Robert The
latters mother falls in love with the
young mans father, and though he has
caused her annoyance she sets her cap
for him. In a frolicsome mood Cupid
plays pranks with the two sets of low
ers, and the complications that arise
furnish the plot of the piece. In the
presentation of the play it will have
all of its original costumes and scenery.
The piece introduces all the people of
last nights cast, and in addition Miss
Annie Irish, leading lady, Miss Louise
Closer and Vincent Senrano.