St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-18
MINNEAPOLIS.
ADJUSTMENTS.
One of the Star Weeks OF the
Season.

One of the Star Weeks OF the
Season.
The fact that Shenandoah" is by an
American author has made it appear all
the more strongly to the public whose
patriotism it touches, and Gen. w. L.
Sherman was so moved by it that he
wrote a long letter to the manager, in
which he said: ''Let ME express the
conviction that shenandoah" should
be seen by every patriot of our coun-
try" 1t is further pretty well known
the Bronson Towards ranks ahead of
the English writer's in the quality of
this work, and. unqueStlonably, the
American drama has received its great
est impetus from Bronson Howard, and
from his war drama Shenandoah" In
his previous plays, however, although
the scenes have been laid in America,
and the characters made American,
there has not been enough save in 1.-The
Henrietta" TO really bring them home
to the national pride. The war of re-
belliOn looked too near for stage treat
ment, and it was a delicate subject to
handle in days when the old soldiers on
both sides retained vivid memory OF
Its events, but Howard seems to have
proved that it all depends upon the
man who treats it and the point of view
he treats it from. Papers are unanimous
in their opinions of "Shenandoah," and
the box office receipts back them up
everywhere. Already there is an i'm
mense interest in the opening. Inc
following is a brief synopsis of the
story:
Tie opening scene of shenandoah"
IS laid in Charleston in a ball room on
the early morning of the day on which
the first shot was fired against Fort
Sumter. Here the principal personages
are of the play assembled. Two young
officers, bosom friends at West Point,
one a Virginian and the other New
Yorker, discuss the great question of
the hour, and each avOws his love for
the sister of the other. The young
ladies, who share the political Sentl-
mPnts of their respective brothers, en-
iov little patriotic quarrel on their
own account, closing the encounter with
tears and kisses. The Virginian wins
his suit promptly. but the New Yorker
is less fortunate, the guns of BeaUre-
gard bringing his cOurtship to All alb
rupt and angry termination. In the
second and third acts the scene is trans
ferred to the Shenandoah valley, and
lures is attained. By certain coinci-
dence the chief peISonageS are brought
together, and the New Yorker, now
colonel. makes a prisoner Of his South
ern lady love, who has undertaken to
deliver Confederate dispatches. The
Interrupted courtship is then continued
under Instantaneous circumstances;
but when the colonel is almost killed
by the hand of an assassin. love trl-
umpnS, and the fair young SOutherner
surrenders at discretion. The comedy
elements of the play is said to excel any
of Mr.. Towards previous efforts. The
war incidents include the reading of
the enemy's signals from Three Top
mountains. and the conversion OF rout
into victory by Sheridan after his ia
nous ride. In addition to the cast, fifty
BupernumerarieS will be employed.
That strong military drama, HELD by
the Enemy" will occupy the boards at
the Lyceum all this week, with the
usual Wednesday and Saturday mat
mess. The play is simple but brilliant
Bit of dramatic work. with the scene
laid in Virginia neal the home of one of
the best families. The play opens with
this home in the hands of the Northern
troops under Col. Prescott, who falls in
love with Rachael McCraery, a type of
Southern WomanhOod. She is engaged
to ner cousin, Gordon Hayne, a Confed-
crate lieutenant, whom she does not
love, but whom, in consideration of the
engagement, she clings to at first
Hayne, in the guise of spy,
breaks through the Federal lines
and visits the house of his
auanced He is captured by
the Northern men and tried, and
while the trial is in progress Prescott
produces certain papers, he has taken
from Haynes after his capture. The
papers, which are plans of the Union
army, prove him guilty Of being spy.
Rachel accuses Prescott of having
forged them in order to rid himself of
dangerous rival. His nobility OF char
acter and his love for Rachel induces
him not to deny the accusation. Hayne,
impressed with the nobility of PreScOtt'S
character, admits being the bearer of
the papers, and is condemned to death.
During the bombardment of the mill
tary quarters where he is held, he at
tempts to escape and is wounded. This
play seems to grow more popular each
season and will be welcomed this week
by big audiences. Seats are now selling.
Prof. Hurlburts Big Horse, Dog and
Speciality Company will close its fine
weeks engagement at the Pence with
a matinee and nights performance to-
day.
For the coming week, commencing to-
morrow, with matinees Wednesday,
Friday and Sunday. the original "Mul
doon's Picinic' Comedy and Speciality
company will be at the Pence. They
will present big olio of the best of
high-class vaudeville stars, and pleas
Ing production of that laughing success
"Muld0on's Picnic" cast to the best
possible advantage by company of
comedians and bouquet of pretty girls
in sweet singing, dances, etc. The
Pence should be full of laughter this
coming week. Following ''The Picnic"
Louise Dempsey's Big Burlesque COM
pany appears at the Pence for week.
1t is called great big attraction.