St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-24
The ENSIGN.

The supposition which existed few
years agoin theatrical circles that it was
not possible to procure good play from
American dramatistS is now laughed
at by those managers who have been
keen and shreWd enough to see that
native talent would produce play, if
given an opportunity. Time was when
managers were afraid to venture on
production of a play created by home
dramatists. The fallacy of such theory
has been proven over and over again,
and during the past five years the great
est successes in the theatrical arena
have been the production of plays
written by Americans.
MesSrS. Lift and Davis, the young and
energetic theatrical managers, will next
week produce an American" play in
every respect. 1t Is written by an
American, produced by American art
period Of American history which is
bound up in the lives of millions of
Americans. ST. Paul play-goers had an
opportunity of witnessing last summer
the naval drama, The Ensign" written
by William HaWOrth. 1t received the
stamp of success at the hands of the de-
lighted audiences who filled the Grand
during the week of its production. Life
on board of man-Of-War, when de-
picted on the stage, is always interest
ing, but when the stirring scenes are
heightened by suburb scenic and me-
chanical effects, and doubly increased
by patriotic sentiment, the pulses are
quickened and the emotions strung to
high degree. 1.-THE Ensign" will be
produced in Washington, D. c., OH
Feb. /, and it is claimed that
the scenic effects will rival any of a SIM
liar kind ever put upon the stage. The
players are all known as artists in their
respective lines, and the sensation of
the dramatic profession at the present
time is the latest venture of Messrs. Lift
play Ensign Ben Baird, while Logan
Paul has been specially re-engaged for
the character of the President of the
United States. The part of Boatswain
Jack Dudley. so superbly rendered in
st. Paul by that sterling actor Louis
James, will be intrusted to the capable
hands of George Fawcett, the cleverest
of chatacter actors. The play has been
strengthened by the introduction of a
number of new characters, and among
those who will be seen in the Eastern
production of 'sThe Eusign'' are Messrs.
L. j. Hawkins, Charles Sidney, Wilson
Deal, Albert Lang, ]. W. Pierson,
George A. Wright, W. T. Hays, Charles
I. ParslOe and Frazer Coulter; Misses
Bessie Hunter, Bessie Stevens, Ruth
Carpenter, Married. Seymour, Mamie
Moore.
In connection with Lift and Davis'new
venture it is interesting to note that
Arthur A. Lotto, of the GLOBE, will be the
acting manager and treasurer of 1.-THE
Ensign" company. Mr.. Lotto leaves
this evening for New York. where he
will at once join the Lift forces and
proceed to Washington for the opening.
This Is not Mr.. Lotto's first venture in
the theatrical field, for, prior to taking
| up journalism in the Twin Cities nearly
two years ago, he was capable mem
Der of various theatrical companies. He
has made an excellent record during
his connection with the press in the
Northwest, and has demonstrated his
ability to turn out ''stuff' with the rest
Of the newspaper gang, by whom he is
highly respected. Mr.. Lotto was val