St. Paul daily globe., 1888-08-28
AMUSEMENT NOTES.

Louis James and Marie Vain
wright Open at the Grand in a
Finished Production of "Ham-
let" - Initial Performance of
"School" at the Peoples.
When one or two actors or actresses
who have been the leading support of
some great star for many years essay
themselves to make fame and fortune
as stars there are always many hyper
critical people who are ready to cry out:
Failure is inevitable" So it was
with Louis James and Marie VAIN
wright when they started out three
years ago on their starring tour. But
the tone Of the remarks has changed
since then. There was not one of the
fashionable audience who sat in the
Grand Opera house last night-an audi
ence composed of cultured people
capable OF expressing just criti-
cism-who did no go away with
the impression that they had
been privileged to witness the
most finished production of Hamlet"
that histronic art can produce. Mr..
Japes' robust physique is against him
in giving presentation of the ideal
Hamlet. Yet this is lost sight of in the
superb dramatic work that he does, in
his effective reading of the linef, and in
the close attention he pays to the de-
tails of the performance. His makeup
and costuming are so thoroughly in ac-
cord with the historical idea of the age
and the country Incorporated in the
play, one can almost imagine he sees in
the biue-eyed, flaXen-haired imperson-
ator the veritable Hamlet, the Dane.
There has never been finer stage Gre
IN,s,, rlNfte nxol 81.
1t is one of those gems OF hiStrionjc art
that is joy forever. But as often
and as we'll as Miss Wainwright
has played Ophelia, she was never seen
to better advantage than last night.
Presumably actors are like other people
in the respect that the superiority of
their work is Somewhat dependent on
the mood they are in. If so, the audi
ence at the Grand last evening were
singularly blessed in finding Miss Vain
wright in the happieSt mood Of her
stage life, for her production OF the mad
scene was performance that de-
serves to live in history. 1t is beyond
criticism, or even description. When
Miss Wainwright was with Mr.. Barrett
she earned reputation for coStuming
correctly and elegantly, and she has
taken the pains to keep it up. She
stands at the head of the American pro-
fession to-day in that respect and in
being most conscientious actress. Her
face is beautiful and her figure graceful
and perfect. Her wonderfully sweet
voice contrasts nicely with the heavier,
though none the less rich tones of Mr..
James, and together they not only give
the most pleasing and thorough per-
formances. but as a pair of stars their
like cannot be duplicated In the whole
dramatic constellation.
Mr. James and Miss Wainwright are
supported by a most capable company.
Many Of the faces are new ones to st.
Paul people, but they all understand
their business. Among the familiar
faces were those of Mr.. MoseIy, always
an accomplished actor, who played
Laertes; Mr.. Langdon, whose Polonius
is nearly equal to the titular role, and
Mrs. Meek, who is almost as essential
in the character of Gertrude as Hamlet
is to the play. Of the new members of
the company Miss Harris and Miss
Aiken made pleasing impression and
gave evidence of capacity for fine work
in parts where they have more extended
opportunities.
'lFirginius' is the bill tonight. with
Mr.. James in the title role and Miss
Wainwright as Virginias.
Advance sale of seats for Rice'S
''Corsair' opera at the box Office of the
Grand this morning.
The initial performance of Rolertson's
celebrated comedy ''Scheof' was given
at the Peoples theater last evening to
a fair-siZed audience. The entire COM
pany was cast in the performance, and
it was up to the usual standard of that
excellent organization. The same bill
remainder of the week.
What happy transition from the va
riety entertainments at the Grand last
week to the magnificent production of
the legitimate this week.