St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-09-19
AT THE THEATERS.
Miss Marlowe Gives an Admirable
Performances.

stoe ohO 10 iCdt uCtLCSSs IL 10
Ing that one OF those characters is al
somewhat eXtravagant creation - al
plqued girl who resorts to childish
pranks to DISCUS. her Indifferent sutton
that she may later charm him. 1t is
sufficient that the actress assumed the
individuality of such woman SO coni-
pletely. so faithfully, that no vestige OF
theatrical mimicry was visible. no effort
apparent The character stood re-
vealed just as the author must have con-
ceived it. 70 so interpret any characterl
Is the sole function Of the player. who.
to accomplish this, must be an artist.
Miss Marlowe is an artist Of rare attain
ments and rare gifts. Without the pos.
session of the latter, the former would
never have given her the power she
has, Just as the gifts, if allowed To
"tust in her unused" would never
have been developed, and like diamonds
would sparkle in vain.
The double bill presented by Miss
MarlOwe and her company last night is
attractive because of the contrast
afforded. "rhe Bellies Stratagem,"
which was played first, is three-act
by Mrs. Hannah Crowley, an eighteenth
century uramatist, but condensed by
Edward Fales Coward, a New York
dramatic critic. 1t is work of no great
pretensiohS to the classic. though the
dlction partakes somewhat of the
smOothness and grace of the old school
writers. Its motive is scarcely durable
enough to warrant three acts, much less
five, but, as the acts are short, the dia-
lOgue paSSable and some of the situa-
lions novel and amusing, the spectator
does not tire, though he may feel
symptom of Impotence to witness the
denouement. Letitia Hardy, the
heroine. is in love with Doricourt, to
whom she is betrothed by one OF those
paternal understandings viii CHI used to
dispose OF hearts as though they were
mere chattels. Doricourt, handsome
man of the world, honorable, but fas-
tidiOus, recognizes beauty in Letitia.
but does not find it animated and
piQuant enough to warm and
charm his fancy. He exhibits his in
difference TO his fiancet, who, Diqued
thereby, decides to transform that i'll
difference into hatred. Accordingly
she dOns some girlish ''duds," rusheS
into D0rincourps presence carrying a
rag doll, giggles. stares, and then by
way of exhibiting her accomplishments,
sings simple song and dance sawk-
wardly to the refrain. Dorncourt is
astomShed and departs disguised. The
next evening Letitia meets h n at
IN SEn d l.aIl nd MT a Pos HIM, Harm.
court, of course, not recognizing her.
Loving this woman, DOrincOurt is now
fairly agOnized over the prospect OF
marrying the d0wdy girl to whom he is
plighted. In the last act Miss Hardy's
father, who is lending a hand
to the scheme, pretends to be on his
death bed, and so induces Dorlncourt
to keep his word and marry Letitia.
this scene, of course. is not presented on
the stage. The marriage is performed
without DorincOurt suspecting that his
bride is the masked woman whom he
fell in love with at the ball. Soon after
ward Letitla appears dressed in her ball
costume and masked as before. DORM
court is dumbfounded at her presence,
but at last she lifts her mask and all is
well that ends well.
The character of Lettia Hardy affords
Miss Marlowe an opportunity to display
histrionic abilities with which the pub
lie had not heretofore credited her. The
ridiculous scene in which she plays the
role of silly, giggling. hOydenish,
gawky country girl exhibited the actress
in new light. 1t demonstrated the
possession of marvellous spOntaneity
aud extraordinary mirth-provoking gifts
worthy of burlesque artist. 1t was
necessarily an undignified exhibition,
but none the less artistic, for it must be
remembered that the impersonation is
intended to and does deceive DORM
court, so spontaneous aud artless does
it appear.
But it is in the after piece that Miss
Marlowe gives a test of her highest
quality. This is One-act tragedy
founded upon the pathetic story of
Chatterton, 1.-THE Marvellous Boy" the
poetic genius who died in miserable
garnet. to escape starvation. Ernest
Lacy is the author of this drama which
contains much in little. The subject
| undoubtedly Inspired him, tor he has
undeniably welded the pen of a natural
poet. The diction is sweet and poetic.
| the thoughts are pregnant with phil
| 0sophy. The spirit of true poet
breathes through it all. No praise is
too lavish for Miss Marlowe's lmperson-
alton of Chat.erton. 1t is tine living
embodiment of fine, noble, poetic
nature crushed and trampled to the
| depths of despair by the jeers of the
| world. Miss MarloWe seems to possess
a spiritual apprehension of the condition
| of such mind. No theatrical exhibit
tions or tricks intrude themselves into
| her performance. The exquisite deli
cacy always so characteristic of her
work is peculiarly harmonious here,
and lends an lndefinable charm to the
| impersonation. 1t was noticeable. too,
| that Miss MarlOwe has gained much in
strength and spirit. There was
time when she would have
| found herself inadequate to por-
| tray the bitter passion of despair
that precedes the taking of the poison.
| Last evening she impaired such
| to lift them from the impressive to the
| thrilling. Her voice possesses far more.
| volume and resonance than Of yore. 1t
| is hardly necessary to comment upon,
her delivery of the lines. She spoke
them beautifully, feelingly, splendidly.
| Every delicate meditation conveyed a
world of meaning, Miss Marlows's
| Chatterton is gem.
AThe supporting company is excellent.
In Robert Taber the stage has most
promising young actor. He Is an ad-
mirable, graceful player, whose work is
marked by fine intelligence, ire
| nrOacha ble tasta and the keenest annre-
| citation of humor, in which latter quality
he is like unto Miss Marlowe.
| MIR. Taber's PRESERVATION Of Dorincourt
in 1.-THE Bellies Stratagem" is highly
| creditable piece Of character acting. He
| hows marked Improvement every sue
ceeding season, which is an unfailing
sign of substantial rewards in the near
| future.
Rose Eytinge. an unquestionable