St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-03-09
AMUsEM ENTS.
Magnificent Presentation Of ssThe
Comedy Of ErrOrs.D


Magnificent Presentation OF ssThe
Comedy OF ErrOrs.n
1.-THE Comedy of Errors" has been num-
bered among the works Of Shakespeare's
early period in which he appears to have
been dependent on foreign originals. And
although it has been looked upon as a
whimsical and somewhat confusing farce
wanting in skillful management i'm
respect TO the plot, still il pos
sesSes as much profound philosophy
as a comedy could possess. the subject of
which rests on a series of laughable Incl
dents and accidents. Notwithstanding the
outwork of the play may be bold and
coarse, the author has displayed in it that
power for which he was so remarkable, of
obtaining deep inner significance from the
most superficial material. The comic parts
are made to appear upon thoroughly tragic
background, ana the fact has given the
eXtravagant mistakes and intricaeies an
inner relation to the character of the family
in which he has placed them.
But whatever difference of opinion may
exist among critics as To the merits of the
Comedy of Errors" there can be no queS-
ton that its production by Robson & Crane
Is one of the wOrthleSt and most memoir
able theatrical events of the century.
America is largely indebted to Henry
Irving for the dramatic revival which places
ShakeSpeare's plays on the stage with all
the spectacular effect which properly be-
longs 10 them. But the credit belongs to
Robson * Crane of producing one of
Shakespeare's plays on a more perfect
historical and picturesque basis than
has ever been known in this country.
They have taken some liberty it is true i'm
fixing the time of action i'm the second CEN
tury,- but by doing so they have added to
the splendors of the establishment. The
production of the COMEDY of Errors at
the Grand opera house last night was re-
aliStic picture of life in Ephesus in the sec
Ond century when this capital of Asia was
at the height of
ITS VoLUPTUoUS GLORY.
The immense audience, which packed the
building from pit to dome. were treated to
a scientific display the like of which has
not been seen in ST. Paul. 1t was a CLASH
cal picture, or series of pictures, whose his
tOric aspect was accurate and instructive.
An eXempliication of this was found in the
scene representing the port and docks of
EpheSus and the arrival of the galley laden
with votiye offerings when the life and ae-
ton of the magnificent capital of Asia, at
the acme of its glory and renOwn, was
presented to the spectators. The
home of Phyrne, the Egyptian beauty,
which opens the second act. shows To what
extent culture aud the love of art surround
ings had arrived under the last Roman EN-
perOrs. And here too. was presented to
the audience living picture of all the re-
finement of sensuOus beauty in art and
music which characterized Asiatic civiliza-
ton in the second century. exhibited with
details wonderful for their accuracy. In
the views of AntiphOlus' house and gar
denS, care has been taken TO exhibit the
domestic economy and POmpeiian eXtrava-
gance of the day..
Robson 81 Crane are Just what they have
always been. the twin kings of comedy.
They are so familiar TO the public in their
performances of the Two Dromios," i'm
which they have been successful beyond
measure for several seasons. it is unneceS-
sary to say more than they are still up To
the usual standard and that they still look
and talk as much alike as ever. The two
Antiphoi. Mr. Harris and Mr.. Handyside
were enough alike for all the pur-
poses of the play. Miss Selma
Fetter lifted the comparatively small
part of Adrianna to dramatic
height that won for her the recognition of
the aSSemblage. She has a rich voice. we'll
modulated. and her Improvisation of the
part was marked by force and fullneSs.
Miss Carrie Reynolds made a beautiful
Phryne and gave a correct Interpretation of
the social customs of the epoch, when
women OF the greatest accomplishments
and education were generally independent
of family and threw of the reserve of So
cial restrictions to receive the best men
science. art and poetry could bring to-
gether. The play will be repeated tonight
and every night this week.
AT THE OLYMPIC.
The Wellesley & Sterling Dramatic COM
pany commenced weeks engagement at
the Olympic last night, presenting the pow
erful American drama of The DaniteS"
by Joaquin Miller. They were greeted
with a large audience and made quite a hit
from the first act. The rendition of the
drama far surpassed the expectations of the
most critical among the spectators. the dual
part OF Nancy Williams and Billy Piper.
being aeceptably filled by Miss Marie
Wellesley. who. by her clever acting, be-
came an immediate favorite with the
patrons of the house. Taken in all. the
company is very good. and may look for big
houses throughout the week.
AT THE DIME MUSEUM.
The Japanese village with its many
quaint industries and the pin machine man
featuring thousands of pins per day, is
nightly tilling Sackett & Virgins museum.
The bill on the stage will run the entire
week.