St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-06

work l will have more to say next week and
will illustrate two of its most effective
scenes. 1t offers many grand opportunities
for the display of the best art Of the scene
painter, coStumer and stage manager. The
atrically. the production is grand spectacle
and nothing more beautiful or effective has
before been seen ON any stage in New York.
The cast included Herr Robinson, Frau
Kramer Widl. Fraulein Lehman, Fraulein
Brandt, Herr Fisher. Herr Stritt and Herr
AleXi. A stronger cast could not be pro-
cured. The music abOunds in the most Ell
fective tone colers and the orchesUration is
of the richest description. There are two
tiers of boxes in the Metropolitan opera
house, which extend from one side OF the
proscenium opening to the other III the
shape OF horseshoe. The above uiustra-
ton will show their respective positions.
The boxes are so arranged that they
| afford an unobstructed view of all parts OF
the house, and the stage can be seen from
| from any box in the house. Each box ac-
commodities six persons and small salon
of the size of box is connected with each
| one of them. Some of these salons have
| been handsomely fitted up by their owners.
A box at the opera house for season OF
| tifty-two nights costs 5000, but the major
| ity are owned by the stockholders, who oc-
cupy the same boxes every season.
~
Wallack's theater has at last secured
success in '.Hoodman Blind" and the melo-
drama is in for long run. Some Of its sit
uations are very strong and thrilling. The
story is interesting and the play is ingen-
iously constructed. ''Hoodman Blind is
the joint work of Henry A. Jones and Will
son Barrett. The former wrote the Silver
King" and the latter has contributed to the
stage and is an actor of much merit. The
scenery is admirably painted and all the OPP
portunitieS that the play offers for the dis
play of skill and effective painting of the
scenic artist have been fully taken advan-
tage of by Mr.. Goatcher. The play is very
strongly cast. Mr.. John Gilbert and Mime.
Ponisi appear in effective parts. Mr. Kyrle
Bellew is seen to better advantage in this
play than in any he has thus far appeared
in. Miss Annie Robe made very strong
success in the dual role of the wife and the
| waif and has strengthened her position as
| the leading actress of Wallack's theater.
Mr.. Elton afforded much amusement as
| Ben Chibbles.
| The Kiralfy Brothers new spectacular
| piece, THE Ratcatcher of Hamelin." did
not achieve anything like a great success CD
| the first night OF its production. In fact,
| the play was disappointment. 1t dragged
! heavily on Monday night, and before it can
! be made a go" of which there is some
possibility, it must undergo very thorough
cutting. The piece was a coherent story,
and some music, which is neither brilliant
nor of unusual excellence. In fact, it is
decidedly reminiscent in character. The
scene where the Ratcatcher charms the 70
dents by playing on his pipe and attracts
them to the waters edge, when they fall
into the stream and are drowned, was but
partially effective. A great deal had been
said in advance Of the production about the
wonderful character of this scene: in fact
| too much, for it did not come up to the eX-
pectations although it is quite good in its
way. Mile. De La Brugere, the new
danseuse, has much force, but little grace.
Mr.. Hubert Wlke sang the principal part,
that of the Ratcatcher. His voice is rich in
tone, and he sings beautifully. THE Rat
catcher of Hamelin" may become sue
cess. but it is hardly up to the former spec
tacular plays produced by the Kiralfys.
| TX
1.-THE Grip" Edward Harrigan's latest
character play, was produced at Harrigan's
New Y ork theater on Monday night. The
! fun, as in all of Mr.. Harrgan'S comedies, is
decidedly of the horse-play order, but it is
real fun for all that, and is always sure of
uproarious approval. Dave Braham has
| written four OF five new songs for the play
| All of them are good. and two, ''Oh, Dat
Low Bridget" and ''Grogan the, Masher,"
are sure to become popular. The story OF
the play is interesting, the situations eff
fective and the singing and staging all that
could be desired. The Grip has got the
public fast and is likely to hold on for some
| time to come. G. WoTHERsPooN, JR.