St. Paul daily globe., 1895-09-30
AT THE THEATERS.

Edwin Milton Royle's "Mexico." I'm
deniably clever in its plot and dialogue,
this play will doubtless take its place
among the best of those that rely on
energetic action and strong situations,
with rather startling climaxes contrast
ing against the natural denouements
1t Is so entirely different from
Friends that one wonders why Royle
has taken it for his own. The specta-
tor feels somewhat of a shock to his
esthetic nerves when Selena Fetter
Royle comes forth as the ack-haired
dark-eyed senorita Jovfta Talamanca.
But she sustains the character admir-
ably, and through the most trying sit
uations Is strong and artistic, qualities
which so seldom fit well together in a
female character. Royie himself car
rtes the part of the hero, Capt. Willard
Shields, u. S. A., with a nice conception
of its needs, but well as he does it
there yet fingers a feeling that 1T is
not just his style. Perhaps this very
fact adds something of interest to the
manner in which he handles the char
acter, because he is almost continually
to the fore and is at no time dead
one" on the stage. At any rate he
won many rounds of applause during
the progress of the play last night.
William Humphrey might possibly bet
ter his rendition of the part of the
solicitous old slave servant. but it
would be difficult to suggest where the
Improvement could be made. He
shares largely in the stars opportuni-
ties, and yet at no point does he fail to
bring out the naturalness that one ex-
poets in the old-time slave. and at the
c.or fiyraa off ,0II
thy of the audience. Lucius Hender-
son assumes a part that is seldom put
into a play and but rarely made a go.
AS Mexican major Henderson is
good beyond question. He keeps ever
in mind the nice distinctions of voice,
gesture and general bearing of the class
he is to typify, and he goes to hopeless
love-making or the desperate suicide
that takes him out of the play with
equal airiness and spirit. Harry Allen
and William Bittner assume the roles
of American major and lieutenant, in
this case the comedy parts, in style
that is decidedly pleasing and refresh
ing. They have good lines and fruit
full stage work, of which they make the
most without the effort that sometimes
mars such roles. Charles Hayne, as
Gen. Santa Anna, has little to do, but
he presents the wooden-legged general
in spirited style without going beyond
what good taste allows. Sergt. Tat
ters will stand inspection, and Frank
Kelly represents him truthfully, but
Sentinel O'Brien should be eliminated
as a character on the bills His wound
ing and death leave bad taste in the
mouth, for the happening is not in the
least natural, nor is the lack of inter
est in him after he rolls to the floor
Gretchen Lyons is a gem of purest ray
serene in the roll of the commanding
yet winsome Lucretia Bugg, and be-
came favorite at once. Rachel Deane
has rather secondary part as the
cousin of the hero, but she acquits her
self creditably, and the same may be
said for Gen. Anderson, as the vindic-
tive old man.
Mexico has the great merit of not
being a one-man or one-Woman part
In a hypercritical spirit one might
easily suggest improvements, and
doubtless Mr.. Royle will add a touch
here and there; but it has the elements
that large portion of the public de-
mands these days-action, excitement
patriotism, heart interest, and must
command attention. The company is
good all through as cast for the main
parts, and the scenery is really magnifi-
cent. 1t is doubtful if three such stage
settings have adorned any similar play
put ON in st. Paul in years. The
ground of the play, Mexico, presents
opportunities for scenic establishment
that is taken full advantage of.
Same bill tonight, Tuesday. Wednes-
day matinee and night. Friends
last three nights of the week.
Grand-IEThe Defaulter.D
The usual large Sunday audience as
sembled at the Grand last night to wit
ness Lincoln J. Carter's new drama
entitled 1.-The DefauIter." The pro-
duction possesses an element of orig
inality at once novel and entertaining.
The plot is based upon the career of
bank manager who, through reckless
speculation, is led to appropriate funds
deposited in the bank The defalca-
ton is discovered, and the manager
and his accomplice are sentenced to
transportation for life. In the hour
of his disgrace the wife refuses to be-
ueve in her husbands guilt; and event
aally follows him to Australia, where
she procureS for him a ticket of leave
as an assigned servant" in her house
hold. The convict husband finally takes
to the most brutal treatment, which
eliminates in a demand that their
daughter be forced into a marriage
with a fellow convict This is the
last straw, and realizing the utter de-
pravity of the man she has loved so
faithfully, her passion turns to hate;
she causes his ticket of leave to be
revoked, and returns to England Ito
see her daughter wed the man of her
choice. The production ahounds in
dramatic situations, the, mos Rrealistic
of which is the run on the bank in
the second act. Millicent Hahn, as
portrayed by Miss Lettie Allen, was
particularly we'll acted, and Frederick
ed by repeated applause for his char
acterization. Thomas McCave, as the
defaulter, showed his ability in a very
clever manner, while L. o. Hart, in
was especially good. The comedy eIe-
ment was furnished in a most ac-
ceptable manner by Charles Horn. as
Gustave Eppendily Brown, and Miss
Henrietta Brows. as Thisby. ''The
Defaulter" will be seen at the Grand
for the first three nights of this week,
with the usual matinee.
For Fair Virginia" by Russ Why
tai, will be the attraction at the Grand
opera house for three nights and Sat
urday matinee, commencing next
Thursday. AS it's title suggests, it is
story of the South during the event.
full period of the rebellion. The war
element, though not predominant,
forms an important factor in the de-
velopment of the story, and while all
the scenes are laid in Virginia, the
sentiments of the play are non-sec.
tional, and none of the sensational
scenes and effects usual to war dramas
are introduced. The comedy, of which
there Is an abundance utilized through
out the play. is of a wholesome and
an unctfous kind. The same cast and
all of the original scenery used in the
Fifth Avenue theater. New York, pro-
duction, will be seen here.
Better'Than Sixteen-tO-One.