The record-union., 1898-02-06

| Though a heavy stom prevailed last
night there was fairly large audience
| at the Metropolitan Theater to see the
Black Patti Troubadours' company.
| 1t was an audience that came with full
determination to enjoy the entertain
ment, if there was any warrant for II,
and there was ample reason. The troupe
| is very large. and lively does not
| convey an idea of its vivacity. The
opening skit AT jolly Coney Island,
| is gathering of colored people, old and
| young, out for a good time, and they
have it, with Ernest Hogan, capital
| grot esque negro low comedian alto
gether original in the lead, With Matte
! Phillips, a clever singing soubrette,
| close second. There are several comely
and some pretty young women IN this
part who do some clever character
work, notably the Sisters Meredith and
Misses Carter and Mackay as quartet
! of japanese maidens. The chorus sings
with great animation, and with good
| deal of ability. One sextet OF men is
especially good, giving some giees with
excellent effect and winning any
amount of applause. There was wing
and b,ck dancing without limit, and,
| on the whole the first part proved to
| be the livliest kind Of a revel, closing
with the introduction of a very strong
| and sweet voiced soprano leading
melodious chorus in an old-time ballad.
| There was keen satire by the way, in
| the introduction of modern woman
| newspaper reporter on sensational in
terviewng expedition for yellow jour-
nal OF the day. In the olio still another
| male sextet was four times recalled
with its gIees and songs. The Meredith
| Sisters. very clever singing soubrettes,
| appeared in song and dance, and two
unnamed colored acrobats did tumbling
and Song and dance acts. Mime. Sisser-
| eta Jones (Black PattD sang an aria
| from THE Enchantress, and on recall
| Comm Thro' the Rye and the "Old
/ Folks at Home" She is woman of
pleasing stage presence and graceful
| bearing She has a true high-sopranI
of broad register resonant, strong and
/ excellently managed. 1t has marked
dramatic expression and at command is
| invested with deep feeling. 1t is we'll
cultivated voice and her method is
good. Her enunciation is worthy of
all praise-a virtue so often absent In
singers in all else artistic. She created
an exceedingly favorable impression,
and was repeatedly recalled and heart
] lily commended by the audience. A cake
walk scene followed, prefaced by an in
! telligent explanation of the history and
purpose of the cake walk entertain
ment. Seven couples took part and
made the act-which is really a dance
a very amusing and entertaining one.
There was not one of the fourteen how
ever who even approached similar ex-
| hibition by a single couple recently at
! the OTpheum. Ernest Hogan. comedian,
held the stage and kept the audience
in roar of laughter long time. He
/ is decidedly an original wit and im,ta-
tor one of the most finished colored
| singing comedians We can recall nav
! ing seen. The entertainment closed with
the Black PATTI in a bouquet of oper-
attic selections. supported by chorus
and principals in costume, introducing
scenes from "Cavalsria Rusticana. .
| Faust" II Trovatore," Grand Duch-
| TIL II rr~