The record-union., 1897-12-07

part of an Eastern critical journal when
it said that what Paderewski is to the
piano Farland is to the banjo. He is
unquestionably the foremost master of
the instrument through which he has
won distinction in the S1usical world.
His style is dignified but highly I'm
ished and marked by brilliancy; his
method is artistic and correct III tech
nique; his execution is distinguished by
feeling and absence of the mechanical;
his phrasing is that of intelligence and
enthusiasm The idea of a banjo con-
cert is novel, and not calculated 10
quicken the interest of lovers of mu-
sic, but we are quite certain that knoWl-
edge of Farland's skill and surprising
work upon that rude instrument will
approve what we say of it, that 1t is
artistic to the degree wonderful, and
that those who go to hear will come
away thoroughly satisfied and greatly
gratified.
The Sacramento Lecture Association
broadened the scheme of it's life last
night by introducing on the rostrum of
the Congregational Church a clever low
comedian, and comic character actor
ba Haywood is a capital impersonator,
fine ventriloqual imitator and teller
of short snappy stories. He has a
long string of witticisms such as min
strel end men deal in and newspapers
fill corners with, and that dialoguists
in vaudeville shows shoot over the
footlights: a good many Of them are
old and a good many are new, and at
Go,
riety stage and would make the gall
lery shout. When he discharged that
storyette some people wondered wheth-
er Mr.. Walter had not changed his
plans and taken the church for an Or
pheum instead of the Clunie Opera
house. When he appeared in character
costumery as a royster who has been
having a hot time with the boys and
is mixed on the question of key holes.
the doubt as to Walters Orpheum To-
cation being a mistake, grew into a de-
gree of certainty; but when Mr.. Hey
wood appeared as an ancient maiden
with giggling instincts still left, and
in a deep cut decollete, we were certain
that Bamford, F'onteneau, Leon and
Wambold might with just as much
propriety have played their burlesque
antics before the altar tables of the
house of God. Not that the perform
ance last night was not clever fnd all
in all proper, as it certainly was very
laugha BILE and sent away the people
still smiling aloud" and weary from
applauding. Not but that it was such
an entertainment as any one present
last night might have witnessed with
perfect propriety in a theater as well
as in a church: but it is Got the wall
nor the threshold that determine the
propriety Of a performance, or that
make an entertainment sinful in one
place, justifable in another But real
ly if the Lecture" Association is going
into the vaudeville business straight
out, it is suggested that they take a
theater, bill the town and strike out
from church cover. There remains
even among the people of a sinful world
some lingering, clinging reverential re-
spect for church building; they feel
that it's sacred rostrum is not the place
for theatrical display, the mimetic eff
fectS of clever impersonators in cos
tune nor the most admirable acting Of
jolly drunkard staggering about
under mighty load of gin. But Mr.
Haywood is a very clever mimic, and
his carrying of a whole scene in a
touching domestic drama, "Grandfather
Pelgen," was high dramatic art. He
however, marred the story by omitting
the dance, saying that he did so ''out
of respect for the place." thus con-
sciously making precisely the point con-
tended for herein. If the drama was
good to be seen it was u1tair to cut
it, simply because it was in a church,
or else the cut portion should not have
been given anywhere. Miss Steele, the
pianist of the company, is rather su-
perior, strong in her playing and at
times brilliant, but lacking in feeling
and apparently careless. Miss Dresch-
er, the violinist, is an artist, her bow
ing is admirable and her stopping and
method generally testify to correct
training. There is feeling and enthusi-
ism in her work, but she is evidently
conscious that she has many steps to
go up yet before she will have con-
quered the king of instruments. Mr.
De Bray, the baritone, has a pleasing
voice, of moderate compass but lacking
in resonant quality.
At the Metropolitan Theater Satur-
travaganza In Gay New York" There
are sixty-seven people in the company
with Eddie Foy, the comedian, in the
lead. There are many specialists and
host Of pretty women and clever
comedians in the piece which is a snap
py. lively, dashing sketch of city life
with nothing but laughter, travesty
burlesque, low comedy and warm coll
Nh L. 4
in New York and filed the Baldwin
Theater nightly for three weeks in San
Francisco. The company brings a car
load of scenery and stage fittings, and
can give no matinee here because it
takes all day to clear and set the stage
The company remains here until the
day following the performance. Seats
will be on sale Thursday.