St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-08-24
MR.. WILLARD AS JUDAH.

Mr.. Willard presented at the Metro
politan last evening the second play in
his repertoire, written by Henry Arthur
Jones. Judah" differs essentially from
The Middleman" in its psychic char
acter as opposed to the stirring action
of the latter. 1t is the first of a series
of plays written by Mr.. Jones for no
particular actor or tbeater, in which the
unfettered Imagination of the author is
given free scope. The lines are much
better penned than the previous play.
There one felt that the literary genius
of the author was often not equal to the
power of the situation, but this may be
said to be well written Judged by the
not severe standard of the modern
stage,
Like the other plays Judah" deals
with some phase of the present social
condition. Faith-healIng is its theme,
but the commonGesS of the subject is in
strong contrast with the nobility of
treatment. The story is as old as truth
| itself-that true love triumphs over
every obstacle. and forgives every
wrong, if only the object be worthy.
The character of Judah is not dra-
matte. and the play doeS not abound in
salient situations. 1t is rather striking
in its mentality. and suggests an atmos-
! phere of thought rather than action.
! Not so picturesque and varied as that OF
| Cyrus Blenkarn. Judah is still one of
Mr.. Wizards most striking characters.
In it he finds portrait particularly
tittpn fur hiS nprsOnalitu a fine IN ind
! conscientious almost to fanaticiSm. His
decisive. energetic, accomplished
| draughtsmanship is nowhere better
shown.
In the physical aspect of the play one
notices the peculiar beauty of Mr.. Will
lard's voice. This was somewhat
Swallowed in the character of the old
man, but in Judah the full son0rous-
ness and melodiouS depth is given fine
play.
The Celtic element in the character
is something which the writer might
we'll have emphasized. The voices
which sounded to the shepherd when
he piped his lays among the Welsh hills
become the awful ringing i'll the ears of
the Presbyterian minister. The poetic
aspect is altered to that of the prophet,
but the seer still remains.
The performance of Vashti is a
most trying one for any actress, bnt was
beautifully taken by Miss Burroughs
and made Significant picture among
modern dramatic creations. One feels
| in her the immense influence OF a strong
| mind over the nervousness OF so fragile
a creature as Lady Eve, and the mag
netic presence which cures Eve and
fascinates Judah is made most potently
manifest. Miss Burroughs did the part
full justice, and shared the honors with
Mr.. Willard.
The scientific Sceptic. Prof. .JOff, with
his head full of disbelief and his heart
full OF love to humanity, is a delightful
man. "And after all why not believe IN
dryadS aud fairies as we'll as germ.
p!asms and prOtUplasms." Sludge, the
medium, or Dethle. was well taken by
Boyce Carleton, but one feels the char
acter is made to order, and not neces-
sity.
The comedy part is furnished by a
pair of scientific lovers who make love
Oh psychological principles, who get
engaged without kissing, and are in
every way lend OF the century," Such
a wo0ing between prig and blue stock
ing makes a merry vein running
through the sOmber woof of persons
VINO are endeavoring to base their life
an eternal truth.