The record-union., 1897-08-07
ADJUSTMENTS.

A large audience welcomed the Alca-
Ear Company at the Metropolitan The
alter last night, when Francis Powers
remarkably successful Chinese play,
THE First Born" was presented for
the first time here. 1t was preceded
by the rafting three-act English low
comedy, Lost for a, Day. one of those
absurd and laugha Bile bits that Sidney
Grundy is famous for. 1t was admit
rably played, and enabled George Os-
bourne to do as clever a piece of char
acter acting as one may wish to see.
THE First Born" achieved a decided
success, and at the close of the first
act the leading members of the COM
pany were complimented by a sincere
call. 1t is difficult to explain the in
terest awakened by this play. It's in
tensity is something marvellous. It's
glimpse of life among the Chinese pre-
sents us a phase very little credited
to them, and one full of pathos and
deep feeling. The skill with which the
playwright appeals to the emotions in
this two-act piece is the very acme of
art There is no straining for effect.
Naturalness, ease and probability char
acterize adj the text and all the action.
Inc SlOIy IL d very SlIHplt OIlS IL ID
Oriental in its recital and it's diction.
It is romantic and tragic in the ex-
IRENE. There is only the slightest sug-
gestion of color in it, all else is serious,
pftiful and woeful Just a vein of
sarcasm is indicated in the expressions
of the Chinese concerning the White
Devils among whom they reside in
| this land of the barbarians." The au-
| dience retired last night thoroughly
pleased entirely satisfied, and without
| a single regret that it had attended
the entertainment. The cast is the
same practically as when the piece ran
for nearly three months in San Fran
| CISCO Instead of the author taking the
part of Chan Wang, it is assumed by
! Mr.. Osbourne, a more practiced and
| capable artist. The character of Chan
Lee is taken by Miss Tidball instead
of by Mrs Powers, and the change is
| for the better. Hugo Toland is DR.. Pow
! Len, the character created by Mr.. Os-
| bourne. Mr. Toland fills it WELL but
| lacks something of the calm delibera-
ton and emphasis with which Mr..
| Osbournie read the text. Perhaps one,
| if not the most effective character
| presentations in the play, is that of the
pipe bowl mender, assumed by Mr..
| Benrimo. 1t is far more than clever; it
| is artistic. It stands out with a dis
tinctness and individuality that is wor-
| thy of all commentator A very
charming picture is Miss May Buck
| ley in the character of the slave girl.
| She invests what to our daily life is
a character that is repulsive, with a pit
| iful interest, and commands for the
unhappy slave and Chinese outcast
not only the sympathy but the cham
pionship of the audience. This is man
! ifest in the outburst of applause that
follows her as she leaves the stage in
! the first act, a. tribute to artistic excel
lence and admirable character persona
ton. The entertainment will be re-
peated this afternoon at reduced prices,
and to- every person who holds re-
/ served seat a souvenir of the play will
| be presented Tonight in addition to
the two plays, there will be another at
| traction. The bright and precocious
child, Baby Venie, who has the part of