The record-union., 1897-05-26
ADJUSTMENTS.

At the Clunie Opera house this even
ing for the third time the comic opera
"Olivette" by the Wilber Company.
When we say that it is capitally sung,
richly costumed and we'll acted, and
that it is full of wit, merriment and
tuneful passages, we state facts which
the audiences confirm by their mani
festations of satisfaction. The COM
pany has THE Bohemian Girl in re-
hearSal.
The Metropolitan Theater was packed
from pit to dome" last night to see
the talented comedian DeWolf Hop
per and his dainty wife, Edna Wallace
Hopper, and hear Sousa's new comic
opera lei Captain" Such an audience
has not crowded the Metropolitan The
ater in long time; and the prices were
high. What does it indicate, or prove?
That the people wish to be amused
rather then entertained in these days
They wish opportunity to laugh hearth
ly at the play. For the libretto of this
Sousa opera is very Indifferent as to
plot, and is mediocre as to wit. Mr..
Hopper, however, uses what is given
him and adds much of his own which,
with his admirable capacity for stage
business" makes the opera a very hu-
morous one. But all the humor, all
the w.t. all the laugh is in and the re-
suit of the part he takes. All the 9TH
er members of his company, save one,
are as solemn as owls and as serious
in their works as priests, if indeed we
except one other. Miss Hosmer, who is
an actress as well as a contralto of
much power. There is very little for
the favorite Edna Hopper to do She
is equal to so much more that the re-
gret is felt by all familiar with her
ability, that she has been so much
written out of the piece. But Hopper
is inimitable. He is the embodiment
of droll humor. and his stage art is en-
tertainment in itself The music is
mainly chorus work and most of it has
that staccato, jerky and sharply ac-
cented march movement, that is char
acteristic of John Philip Sousa THE
March King" But it is tuneful. 'spir-
tied rather than melodious, and fits
admirably into the semi military char
acter of the plot and the action 1t
has few gems and these were ap-
plauded to the echo In one instance
the singers were thrice recalled and at
the close of the second act the leaders
were four times called out; a fifth call
brought Mr.. Hopper to the footlights.
where he was delivered of one of his
characteristic speeches greatly to the
pleasure of the audience, if laughter is
sign of satisfaction The opera is
splendidly mounted. Such well-painted
scenery has not been seen here fire.
quently; and its designing was decid-
edly original and very effective The
costumery of the company is elegant
and rich. There are two doz-
en- comely women in the chorus. half
Of whom are more than pretty and all
are graceful 1t is very large troupe
drilled to perfection nearly, led by cap
able people, who give the Hoppers su-
perior support
At the Oak Park Pavilion every night
the "All Star Vaudeville Company"
gives performances. 1t is drawing
good audiences. The admission is
nominal The present programme
opens with the farce Let Me Out" with
Geo. T. Davis, Miss May Barth, Lee
Farnham and Daniel Dougherty in the
lead. Little Edna Ferriter in songs
and dances, frankie Lee in serio-comic
sketches, John Donovan in Irish char
acter monologue acts, May Barth in
songs and dances. Lee Farnham In ban
Jo solos, Davis and Barth as a sketch
team, and Dougherty and Farnham as
singing comedians in team work. fill
the other numbers of the varied pro-
gramme. Dancing in the Pavilion fol-
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