Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-21
THE METROPOLITAN TROUPE,

Uncle Tom Goes Oct in q blaze of Wilt
aud Red Lights-1He Ezost Successful
Dramatic Event in minnesota EjstOry-
Ne,C Attractions for the Future.
Last night was the closing performance O.
Uncle Toms Cabin by the Metropolitan com
bination at Pence Opera House. It had
run of nine nights and matinee, with full
houses at each recurring performance, more
than half of which the theater was filled tc
overlooking, while at the last two of the per.
nances crowds of people were turned
away for the want Of even stand
ing room. It may safely be
set down as the most successful and salts
factory (both to the management and the
public dramatic event that ever TRANSFERRED
in Minnesota.
The success of Uncle Toms Cabin has
demonstrated two facts: First, that Messrs
Murray & Goodwin have succeeded in securing
troupe satisfactory to the Minneapolis pub
lie; and secondly, that Minneapolis is always
ready to pay just equivalent in patronage
tor the legitimate presentation of the legiti-
mate drama. The presentation of Uncle
Tom was by no means perfect, some of the
parts (notably, George Harris and Legree)
were weakly conceived and poorly portrayed.
In this there was excuse enough for the
broad mantle of charity, however, as the
gentleman sustaining them was an amateur.
But he has to bridge a wide chasm before
he can take professional rank.
The plantation melodies, rendered by local
colored talent, were very good considering
the amount of previous training.
Uncle Tom, generally speaking, was well
rendered-a little too much music, possibly,
for so unmusical voice, but then charac-
ter does not hinge upon musical talent. In
case the play is reproduced the management
will do well to instruct Mr.. Horton to sing
but one stanza Of that grand old hymn,
''Flee to the Mountain" It's rendering
served only the purpose of putting artistic
teeth on edge-the GLOBE refers to Mr.. Bry-
ton for an endorsement of this criticism.
Mr. Murray as Phineas, the Yankee
Quaker, was excellent, of course-he never
fails to be-and so was the omnipresent
Marks the lawyer, handled and created by
Mr.. Irving. Bryton, as st. Clair, did all that
the part required-shed tears gracefully,
looked the character, was murdered hand
somely, and died so beatifully-and that was
just all that was expected Of the character.
Bryton's talents run more particularly in the
vein of Sir Francis Lsvison and Mercutio.
There's hint which costs him nothing.
What more is to be said, except that
around Topsy and little Eva gathered the
entire sympathles of the audience. They
were the opposite poles Of the magnet.
Topsy captured the galleries, and with her
songs and jigs brought every gamin to he1
feet as a worshipper, while the little touches
of nature, dropped throughout the part like
pearls strung with glass beads, showed the
true artist. Miss Garland evidently does
not like the part, but she knows exactly how
to play it. Hattie Irving was the very best
conception of little Eva, and both in looks
and action took full possession of the emo
tional part of the audience. Her song,
"Gates Ajar," proves that she has musical
gift worth cultivating.
Tonight will be presented the "Serious
Family with the following cast: Amin
dab Sleek, Mr.. John Murray; Lady Ormsby
Delmaime, Miss Grace Garland; Capt. Muir.
ply MCGUIRE. Mr.. Fred Bryton; Charles Lor-
rens, Mr.. j. E. Irying Mrs. Lowerby Cream
ly, Mrs. j. E. Irving.
This piece is one of the old standard com.
edies, and will serve the purpose of bring
ing out all of Mr.. Murray's talent. In re.
hearsal, and to be produced next week, the
"Peep o Day Boys"