The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-05-07

monIatOr writes. FROM nTSl W last
nothing is strained, nothing is forced;
the story ripples along in easy, gentle
fashion, never rising, perhaps to the
hight of a great emotion, but always
interesting, probable, and ineligible.
Another says: 1.-The piece is slight
and owes everything to its bright and
witty dialogue, which provokes con-
slant ripple of laughter, growing now
and then to roar at some specially
smart saying. 1t is the first real com
edy that Haddon Chambers has given
us, and even this has excursions into
serious drama Occasionally it becomes
too serious for a comedy, and some of
the strong scenes are a little too long.
The one in the last act, for instance,
might he shortened with advantage,
though it certainly gives Mr.. Wynd-
ham al chance of a contrast. Miss Mary
Moore's performance of the heroine DID
not please everybody, for one critic
says very h.untly. unfortunately, Miss
Mary Moore adopted a monotonous
lachrymose tone which became intense
ly irritating, and after a. while she was
so wearisome that it was incredible
that even Parbury should regret the
rupture which is brought about by his
pretty typewriter. One guesses-and
with confdence-that the part if we'll
acted, would. be Interesting and anus
ing. but it is very badly acted, and in
consequence the penultimate scene of
the play which was very long and very
slowly played, caused a dangerous feel
ing of boredom" Frederick Kerr and
Miss Maud Millet appear to have car
tod off al NIL
honors of the performance.
William H. Crane is said to have in
"The Head of the Family the latest
addition to his repertoire, one of the
best comedies that it has ever been his
good fortune to secure. He presented
the play during his engagement in New
York, and it's hit there was emphatic
In fact, there was not one dissenting
voice among the critics regarding the
merits of the work, and that the public
agreed with them was shown by the
large audiences which attended the pre-
sensations of the play. Clyde Fitch and
Leo Ditrichstein are the authors of the
comedy, and in it they tell a charming
story of domestic life that has it's seri-
Gus as we'll as it's amusing sides. Mr..
Crane has given the work a cast of
great strength, and done everything
possible for it in the way of settings
and handsome costumes.
Franz Ebert, the jolly little comedian
of the Liliputians, became a benedict
at the close of last season, when he
made Miss Elsie Lau, the tallest of the
1odi h y-id bni
life has been a very happy one, and
even the races have no more interest for
little Franz since he drew first prize in
the lottery of love. Outdoor sport is
great pastime with the Liliputians, and
the way they fight the elements has
made them robust and healthy. During
the cold weather they made several
hunting trips, shooting ducks in the
neighborhood of Milwaukee. Cold
weather has no more terror for them
than the hot spells of summer, when
they can be found camping in a fishing
boat.
One of the curiosities of the theater is
illustrated in the sustained hold of GER
tain plays upon popularity and the sud
den vogue of other plays and their
quick expiration. Dramas that owe re-
markable success to sensational me-
chanical effects or to abnormal phases
of life have no legitimate vitality, and
they soon pass to limbo, no matter how
they may flourish for a time. The phe-
nomenal excites curiosity, but it does
not sustain interest, and the plays that
continue upon the stage even after the
.fcrir Of hoi, 1oo 1ox
passed away are those that deal with
some vital human subject in a vitality
human way "Trilby." the dominant
sensation of a season, now has but a
casual interest, and a few years will be
forgotten, because it's sensationalism
was abnormaliy based. 1t is doubtful
If oftener than once in decade is there
developed play that will live for
generation. or that once in a generation
is there born a drama that will please
succeeding generations. in spite of the
fact that plays multiply almost as
books multiply. Something of interest
on this subject is furnished by the ex-
perience of Mrs Fiske with Tess of the
D'Urbervilles." Predictions We're freely
made upon the original success of this
play. that it would not last longer than
season as a valuable dramatic prop
erty, but the prophets failed to grasp
the dramas human significance.
Wherever Mrs. Fiske has repeated
Tess" during the past two seasons it
has shown new vitality. Although
this actress has varied her work with
several new roles in plays that have
been unusually successful, Tess" main
tains its hold upon popular interest-if
1t does rot excite a greater interest than
ever. and it promises to remain one of
the most elective and popular of mod
ern plays.
Langdon e. Mitchell has prepared a
decentralization of Vanity Fair" in
which Mrs. Fiske will appear next sea-
son as Becky Sharp.
A sylph named Wallenda, one of a
troupe of aquatic females appearing at
London theater, recently stayed under
water for four minutes, nine and three
fifths seconds.
Sir Henry Irving has broken the spell
of i'll luck that has attended all of his
later ventures. His new Sardou play
"Robespierre, is making the greatest
success of years.
Nat Goodwin will try to charge 80
per seat on the road next season. That
is the customary price in New York.