St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-14
RISTORPS SECOND NIGHT,
"Marie Antoinette" Given to Large Audi

ence.
The historical drama of s'Marie Antoin-
etc. in five acts with prologue and
epilogue, was given at the Grand by Madame
Ristori last night to an audience more bril-
liant and fashionable if possible than the one
that greeted her opening performance. In
the order of dramatic sequence, the play
happily follows on more majestic and exalted
impersonation of Queen Elizabeth" pre-
sented on Thursday night. As regards the
plot and action of the two dramas, there are
but few spots OF resemblance.
In the former drama the auditor beholds the
sef-sufficient, proud, arrogant, naughty,
despotic and cruel queen of England, with
the ambition of statesman, the craft OF
diplomat, the heart of lion and the deceit
natural to a woman born to rule. In the
exiled Austrian woman and queen the audi
tor beholds one of the fairest and most beau
tiful of her sex, whose very love for her
children and passionate devotion to her
husband are made to appear as important
factors in causing her misery and downfall.
The methods employed by Rstori in the
delineation of her characters are not OBJ
trusvely theatric. There is no suggestion
OF clap-trap, no straining for effect; all is
natural. and this is the secret and power Of
her art. When in the heyday of her power
this charm over an audience must have been
electric.
The audience last night was carried back
ward to the latter part of the Eighteenth
century; to the fair fields and brilliant court
OF France; to the days of the commune when
the song of the Marseillaise resounded in the
streets OF gay and brilliant Paris,
and when the red flag of the rev.
olution moved over the Quilleries.
The action of the drama is highly spirited
and the scenes are of course spectacular.
Ristori's rendition of the Inflated and beau
tiful queen was marked by wonderful pathos.
Amid the gayety of the fete on which the
play opens her soul is saddened by the pre-
monition of the terrible scenes that so
quickly follow. The sadness of the coming
eclipse is upon her and she cannot exercise
the haunting shadows. Her bosom palpitates
with affection for her husband, her son and
her country. The mob scene in the second
act and the succeeding act where she groups
her loved ones around her as if
to shield them from danger were
portrayed with great force and beauty.
The parting scene with her husband was
sternly and fearfully realistic, and given
Will uIdmatlc power anu patnOs tnat Wrung
the hearts of the audience, while the last act,
where the hapless queen goes to her death,
Is still more pathetic if possible.
The support was excellent, and the scenery
and costumes were fine and historically accu-
rate. Mr.. Searle was at his best as Louis
XVI. and his manly and vigorous imper-
sonation strengthened the good opinion of
his hearers as an actor. Mrs. Foster appeared
as Madame Elizabeth, sister of the king,
her acting of the role was given with charm
and Iatural finish almost faultless. There
were several capital points in the piece, not
ably the roles taken by Mr.. Lane as Lafayette,
Mr.. Langdon, Mr.. Kelly, Mr. Herbert and
Mr.. Shirley, while the ladies in the cast acted
well their parts.
This afternoon "Marv STUART will be given
and the engagement closes tonight with
Macbeth
1.-THE WAGES OF SIM
The sale of seats for ''The Wages of SIM
and "Wowan Against Woman" com pany is
progressing nicely at the Grand. The en-
gagement begins on Monday.