The record-union., 1899-10-25
ADJUSTMENTS.

1.-THE Ensign" was played by the
Elleford company last night. 1t was
we'll given so far as the membership
of the troupe is concerned, but it was
scarcely set as it should be. The
court-martial scene was marred by a
too meager trial board and very indif-
ferent deck setting. 1t would seem
that it should not cost a cent more to
fashion and paint a mast of proper
diameter for a single instance nor to
make the shrouds bear some resem-
blance to the real thing; they might at
least be taut. Fact is such a deck
scene would make a sailor sick at
heart. And this is said the more freely
because Manager Elleford can do better
and has had such success as to war
rant him in mounting such a fine and
spirited drama far better than he
does. 1t is attention to the little things
in stage work that insures success
more certainly than the great ones.
Assuredly Mrs. Captain Wilkes would
never invite naval guests to a ball at
her home when there was such
wretched hanging of drapery and dis
posal of the flags of Spain, England and
the United States. Something of taste
would be manifest on her part in ar
ranging the decorations. gracefully. OF
course in play demanding such a long
list of characters, it is well under
stood that there must be much doub-
ling by company of but about four
teen people. But there was lack of at
of the officers of the navy for the most
no ri no cho he Ea
not but think that a Lieutenant in the
British navy, who should appear in the
parlors of an American Captain in at
tire as carelessly worn and as ill-fitting
as in the case of the Lieutenant Allen
of last night. would suffer reprimand.
The Captain Wilkes of the play could
be pardoned, on stretch, as person.
ated last night, though the effort i'm
pressed no one favorably; but 1t was
quite too much to ask Mr.. Wyman to
assume the role of Admiral Farragut
after having disposed of the part of
Lieutenant Blythe. Wyman is a cap
able, versatile and pleasing actor. but
was conscious of inability to double as
Farragut and hence wisely kept his
back TO the audience. in a vain effort
to conceal his identity. 1t would seem
that the matter might have been bet
ter managed. When there was so
heavy call for many people. what
prevented Mr.. Elleford himself filling
the congenial low comedy part in d
single scene of the Presidents orderly
instead of compelling Hernandez to at
tempt a double, playing Sergeant
O'Shay and Midshipman Watson? The
effort though a good one, marred the
the piece from these and other slouchy
things, was the fine work of Miss Nor
ton as Dot she taking a very Juvenile
role admirably: of Frank Cooley as the
Ensign, who drew the character with
strong, bold strokes. and made it ev-
cry inch a manly and high strung
American; of James Corrigan as the
bluff, frank and gallant old Coxswain-
a better has never been seen here; the
very pleasing work of Miss Elliott as
Alice, and the inimitable acting of
Baby Lillian" as Mary--it was more
than precocity. it was remarkable in
telligence. The double of Mr.. Scott
as Lieutenant Allen and Secretary
Welles was excellent: if only his Lieu
tenant had been as carefully given as
his Secretary, he would have won
showers of praise. Mr.. Scott is too
capable and experienced an artist to
slouch through the part of Allen as
he did last night with a careless and in
different swing, as if it was of no mo-