St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-04-08
Observation-Disclosures
AT the Grand-The Ji,t.

Manager Lift has profited by his
former discouraging experience with
brand new stock companies. This
time he has invested in a tried or
ganization, and again demonstrated
that keen sagacity and good judg-
ment in catering to the public taste
which are rapidly bringing his name
to the front as a manager of excep-
tional ability, vigorous enterprise
and liberal spirit. The Giffen &
Neill stock company, which inau-
gurated a season ait the Grand opera
house last night with a production of
Boucicault's admirable play "The
Jilt,'' is no experiment. On the con-
trary, it is an organization of artists
who have played together SO long
that their performance attainS a
perfect harmony of action. No dis
cord of obtrusive individuality mars
their work. A galaxy of stars, select
ed regardless of expense, would not
give as smooth and delightful per-
Torrance as this company gave at
the Grand opera house last night
It was charming from the rise of the
first curtain to the fall of the last
A sense of serene confidence seemed
to possess the players, and quite
naturally, was impaired by them to
the audience. The result could not be
other than felicitous, and that it
was entirely so appeared from the
hearty and genuine applause be-
slowed upon the company at the
close of every act and the keen in
terest manifested throughout the
play.
1.-The Jilt,'' like all of the phenomenal
Boucicault's ablest creations, is dra-
matte exposition of human character.
The dramatic personae are not mere
automatons, dressed up to represent
men and women. They are distinct
personages, each possessing an indi-
viduality and temperament varying
as do the features of the human face,
which, though alike in form, are never
identical in their composite effect.
Consequently, none but experienced
and capable actors can present this
play. That ability is necessary goes
without saying. The experience is
equally important for that it is which
triumph of his art is to sink his own
individuality, and portray that of the
dramatist. This disposition was pleas
ingly apparent in the efforts of every
member of the company. There was
no obtrusive striving for personal ia
vor or prominence. The spirit of union
dominated the action of the company.
The desire and purpose to adequat ely
DrnSQnt Rn1pino MFG TO1o
to exploit individual characters, rem
dered the performance truly admira-
BILE, for the play-if worthy-is always
more important than the player, not
Wlthstanding that the great actor NAV
illuminate the text of a great play.
and so reveal strokes of genius in the
author that the casual reader or spec
tator might overlook
! 10 analyZe the work of each member,
OF the company would involve consid
erapIe repetition of words of praise.
NOT mat absolute perfection marked
thelf Work, but because of the intel
hgenee' conscIentiousness and even
ness that characterized it. There are
no 11aYices, no sticks in this organiza-
cry member is trained. The
rofeaef AIfllicent, the -Jfit. Is not q
ofllilaht or eXacting one,- but it is
suInc1etltty human to demand the eff
iorts OF an accomplished actress. Hen
!iettd CFossman belongs to their lin
ieeo category. Possessing fine pres
9ioe anu engaging personality, this
actress displays Keen appreciation of
me suotler qualities of female nature
'ii". nave made women so difficult to
Understand from the time whereof
.iie memory OF man ruaneth not TO
the contrary. The character of Mil
iicent Is SHOWN to the best advantage
III the earlier scenes of the PLAY. and
u IS no exaggeration to say that Miss
CiosSnlan revealed the character in
ciear, line light, and with deftness
VI touch that blended it with the rast
OF the picture
Chafies Kent, whose experience hos
Included association with the ereats+
Aiiie''can actor this age has producad
demonstrated beyond question tba+
most valuable trait in player-cop,-
piete subservience to the demands Of
Tile CHARACTER lac is attempting "a nor
senate MIR. Eelt's portrayaI If Gil,
marcus Wyiie, the unscrupulous noble
MAN. vas highly creditable. r. was
consistent. strongly outlined and dae+
ly colored. "o-'
John b. Maher merits the yarno.,4
praise for his exquisite impersonation
Oh what might be termed the Ieadi.,a
role of the play-Myles O'Hara if
was line, intelligent, well-consid,.
performance, never theatrical vat al
ways acknowledgements in the tr,,e
sehse-remlDiscent in it's methods of tho
h'atchless Joseph Jefferson. who naver
seems to be acting. vi
MISS Rate Blancke is entitled tn em-
phatic communication for her admire
ole representation of Kittie Woodstoclr
Il was ueilghtfully spontaneous. and
SPIRITED yet never loud or hoyendisb
anne Blancke was entrusted with the
uiltlcult role of Phyllis Weller. which
she played with zest and dash quite
captivating. The character is ant to
De oVerdone, but Miss Blancke "o'er-
stepped not the modesty of nature -
ana SO preserved it's womanliness.
mat excellent character actor c.ooroo
Denham, played the excitable and i'm
pulsive Col. Tudor with a relish onita
inimitable. Mr.. Denham cannot be ex-
celled in the portrayal of roles of this
rugged character.
James Neill impersonated that "a +ber
easy-going character, Sir BudIe;eb
woodstock, in a graceful. breezy fash
ion, quite agreeable to behold. while he
maintained effectively the dignity he.
longing to the role. Frederick Perry
and Carrie Strong were enipentJv sat
isractory in their presentations of
e.eoHrey TUDOR and Mrs. Welter, and
George l.. Montserrat succeeded i'm
DrnSPnfincr To DoI
dlsagreeable part in the photographic
oil