St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-29
ADDITIONAL ST. PAUL NEWS.
"ERnsNHE,, SCENERY.
A Peep Behind the Curtain-.The
Way the Scenery is Worked
Lovely Display OF Scenic Art.


Lovely Display OF Scenic Art.
"Erminie" is growing opera. 1t not
only catches the popular fancy, but it holds
it. The largely increased audience at the
Grand last night was a demonstration of
this. Whether it is simply because the
opera grows on one or whether the per-
Torrance was better rendered. the piece
seemed to move with more smOOthneSs
than on the preceding night. 1t is seldom
that more critical audience is seen at the
opera house than the one last night, and
the numerous expressions of approval can
fain be construed into verdict in favor of
the merit of .'Erminen as an artistic pro-
duction.
An especially attractive feature of the OPP
era is the splendid stage setting. 1t is the
same scenery that is used in the New York
Casino, which in its decorations is mar
vel of scelic art. The scenery was painted
by Henry E Hoyt, the Casino stage artist,
and every bit of it used in the production
of the opera here belongs to the company,
and requires siXty-foOt car to haul it.
The pink ballroom scene of the second
act is constructed with thoroughly artistic
sense of the fitness of things. When the
curtain rises on the second act the great
ball room is seen with its twisted pillars of
alabaster in translucent rose pink shades,
supporting the roof; the walls shading in
the same tints, and the softness of coloring
and light give an Elusive effect
that fairly takes the breath from
the spectator. To one standing
Immediately fronting the stage in the aisle
near the foyer the ball room has the appear
ance of beng at least 300 feet deep. The
large candebras in front, with their jetted
lights. having the appearance of real wax
candles, bring the foreground into promn-
ent view. while the smaller candlebras to
the rearward with the gauze hung in front
of them give the most perfect perspective
| that has ever been seen i'll stage scenery.
Ordinarily close inspection of stage seen
cry destroys the pleasant illusion gained by
view of it from the auditorium. But it is
not so with the pink ball room scene in
''Ermine." When viewed closely it is still
the same grand success of scenic art. The
figuring is brought out with exquisite
skill in tracing and the tinting is of the
same delicate cast that is seen from the
auditorium. Just as painting, without
regard to its stage uses, it is real work OF
art Although the scenery of the fist
and II ird acts do not produce upon an au-
dience the same delightful impression that
The scenery of the second act does, still they
are marvels of artistic beauty and are as
thoroughly meritOrions as the famous pink
ball room scene. TO the initiated it is a
surprise how such elaborate stage scenery
can be set and removed in so short space
of time. And yet it is scarcely less sur
prising when one is introduced behind the
scenes and sees what quantity of stuff
has to be handled. Itrequires the most thor
ough system and discipline in the stage
management to do it. Mr.. Mahin, the
stage manager of the Erminie company,
| is master of his vocation. His eye is
never off the stage and scenery. He gives
| his commands in quiet subdued tone. yet
| he speaks with tiTmness that admits of
| no INSTRUMENTATION. His instructions are
given witlEa clearneSS that leaves no room
for misunderstanding. His subOrdinates
| seem to have caught the spirit of the boss
and everything moves with an expedition
and noiseleSsness that is astonishing.
Scarcely has the curtain dropped at the
close of the beautiful vocal gavOtte, which
| makes the finale of the second act. than
the great pink ballroom has disappeared as
| if by magic. A ''supe" with half dozen
of the alabaster pillars on his back is Strid
ing toward the fartherest corner: another
one Juggling the whole side of wall is
going in another direction. while two or
three are piling the roof up in sections
against the wall. AS the ballroom goes
down, another set of carpenters are rearing
| the corridor with its magnificent stairway
| in its place; and before the young men, who
have gone ont to hear what the dickey
birds are saying. have had time to return
the curtain is up and the play is on again.
There is good deal of enjoyment in the
ance. but there is a deal of hard work be-
hind the scenes all the same.
-.t., DRAMATIC NOTES.
Miss Leslie, who gives such a cute inter-
probation of Jaryotte, has been an invalid for
| TWO weeks and was unable to play during the
Minneapolis engagement. But when she
heard Monday that the Snow Shoe club was
| to honor the performance with an attendance
| there was not power enough in the whole
medical faculty to keep her in bed. She got
| right UP and went to the opera and sang her
| part, Notwithstanding the protestatious of
| the management and the whole company.
| She was rewarded for her pluck by being
greatly improved by the eXertion. in addition
to getting unstinted applause from the audi
ence.
Fred Solomon is as original as he is humor-
ous- His appearance in toboggan suit last
night was cute little trick that caught WELL
All that was needed to complete the humor
of the suggestion was blanket and four
stout snow shoers to give him toss.
Miss Mary Stuart who plays the Princess
in "Erminie," is sister of Stuart Robson,
the famous comedian. She illustrates the
histrionic ability of her family in her humor-
Gus impersonation of the character she as
sumes.
Mr.. Haskell. the handsome young manager
of the Minneapolis Tribune, occupied a box
with party of friends at the Grand during
the ''Ermnie" performance last evening.
Mr.. Dobol, who plays Ravenues with such
exquisite humor. is blood relative of some
of the most prominent families in this city.
There will be matinee performance of
.'Erminie" this afternoon, commencing at 2
o'clock The same bill tonight.
Miss Thropp in her military uniform is a
perfect picture of martial grace and youthful