St. Paul daily globe., 1891-06-29
COMEDY ON THE STAGE.

The many so-called comedies which have
during the past few years been produced in
the United States have depended largely for
their success upon an amount of horseplay
which has been injected into the work of the
dramatist In order to give actors and actresses
an opportunity to display their talents as
specially artists, and to cover up the glaring
inconsistencies of weak and improbable plots
To call these plays comedies is as aosurd as
to denominate paste gem as brilliant of
the first water. But the so-called diamond
produced by the chemist has only to be an
alyzed to show its bogus qualities, while
the pure gem Of the mines of Bra
I'll or Kimberley casts its brilliant
rays in all directions impervious to
tests and defes competitors. In the
category of pure gems of art must be classed
the successful English comedy. ''Uncies and
Aunts. +" by Lestocq and Everard, which was
given its first American production last even
ing at the Grand opera house by the talented
artists whom Manager Lift has gathered to-
gether for his summer season. Seldom has a
play been produced in this country which is
as bright, sparkling and full of true comedy
as the one which last evening kept the audi
ence IN continual roar of hilarity, and no
better interpreters of the characters could
possibly be found than those whom Mr.. Lift
has secured There is not a single line in
the whole play which is superfiuous, and
while-the fun reigns fast and furious, not an
episode is oyerdone or strained. The play
deals with the love affairs of two
young people who are determined to
marry. But other plans have been made for
them by their relatives, and the young peo-
pie determine to overcome their objections
| by careful planning. Plot succeeds plot, and
leads to the most amusing complications,
bllt l1y iros oy,5u re
are won over, and the young people are
| made happy. A most pleasing feature of the
performance last evening was that each
membor of the company was seen in a part
entirely foreign to the line of characters US
ually assumed Miss Victory Bateman has
been identified with emotional characters
and Miss Minnie Radcliffe has wou fame for
her delineation of pathos, but last evening
proved that both these clever young ladies
possess talents of varied order, and
are thorough condolences. So with the
rest of the company. Frank Losee
instead of being the usual stage william, was
last evening most successful as middle
aged bachelor who has penchant for the
opposite sex and cannot resist the tempta-
ton to personate his brother. the irascible
uncle, in order to have a thoroughly good
time and win the hearts of two young girls
who come to him thinking he is his brother
to win consent to the marriage of his
nephew. George r. Edeson. es an old gentle
man who is matrimonially inclined and who
believes he still possesses the ardor of youth,
has part which fits him like q glove and
last evening he kept the house in cou-
tinLal roar of laughter. To see Mr. Edeson
in tennis suit will be q sure cure for fit of
the blues. Mrs. Selden Irwin, Miss
Marion Lester, Miss Marion Elmore,
Edwin Ferry, Logan Paul, j. Paige Smith and
Harry hainhall each contributed their share
to the artistic treat. The company is to be
congratulated upon its success, and Mr.
Lit doubly so for his venture in producing
new play with n band of players which
could not be eclipsed for artistic merit
5
fair audience greeted the first production
of ''Lorle" at the Park last night and re-
eeived the drama with enthusiasm. The
plot of the play is very like those novels in
which love, pathos and joy are all mingled
and result in the union of the loving couple
and the happiness of ALL Miss Rodgers, as
Lorle, was good. and admirably sang the
songs which form chief feature of her part
Mr.. Book, as the Lindhost, was all that could
be desired The rest of tbs company did we'll
in their parts. ''Lorle'' will be presented the
first three days of the week aud East
huO tAiS idttcI idIL VI lIlS EcCk.
5
"Olivette'' is nearly as old as the hills, but
despite that fact, its presentation by the
Wilbur Opera company last evening delight
ed the large audience which almcsL filed the
Metropolitan. There was vim given to the
performance which was decidedly refresh
ing, and for an evenings entertainment or
an antidote to meancholia, ''Olivette'' can
safely be recommended. The new soprano
& of the company made her first public ap-
pearance. and, without fulsome flattery. it
may be said that Miss Dorothy Morton is a
decided acquisition to the Wilbur ag-
gregatiOn. Her voice is sweet, of ex-
cellent range, and her every action perfectly
natural. Her singing evoked hearty encores,
ana the impression made upon the audience
was decidedly flattering to the actress. Miss
Morton filled the role of Bathielde, Countess
OF Kousillon. Susie Kirwin was a charming
Olivetre, acting and singing as only Susie
Kirwin can. AS usual. .'the life and soul'' of
the opera ccntered in w. II. Kohnle and Tre
Denick. A more successful pair or COM
edians it would be difficult to find. Kohnle
was outrageously funny, raising bursts of
almost uproarious laughter, Tire Denick gave
a very meritorous character delineation of
Capt. de Merrimac. Will Spalding is effective
in the part intrusted to him. that of Marrejol.
Ed Clark fills the part of Valentine with
more than ordinary success. j. E. Comfy
takes the role of Valentine. very pretty
hornpipe is given by Belle Hamilton and Eva
Mayhem during the third act, and George
Fisher in speciaIties, reyives They're After
Me-" 'OIivette' viii be repeated every even
ing the first part or the week, being substi-
tuted by Princess of Trebizonde" Thursday.
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