St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-07-08
Grand-l1Mr. Barnes of New York;,

1t is a play that is worthy of being
given special production whenever
it is put on the boards. But the peer
less company now performing in st.
Paul has the great advantage of num-
bering among it's members people who
helped to create the play and start it
on q successful career originally. Con-
sequently, but little, if any, of the
strength of the piece was lost in the
presentation given at the Grand last
evening by the Giffen-Neill company.
There is danger for any but very
clever artists in attempting such play,
without more than ordinary time and
expense; and in no more signal manner
could the consummate ability of this
company be evidenced than by the
smooth, strong and satisfactory work
witnessed in the first-night perform
ance. Sc little could be picked to cavil
at that it may well be said here is a
powerful play, full of the poetry of
romance and the reality of fierce, I'M
bridled passion, eXcellently well done
so WELL in fact, that its length is for
gotten in the intense interest that
grows momentarily as the lighter early
scenes give place TO the more earnest
and tragic developments of the closing
acts.
James Neill found himself entirely
at home as Barnes. Whether in the
comedy moments with the aggravating
Maud or in the more serious passages
he was natural and satisfying About
Mr.. Neill there is that more than pleas
ing quality of getting close to the per-
ceptions of the audience, and in such
part as he carries in this play the
quality spoken of is especially strong
AS Barnes he was jovial and breezy
business-like and self-reliant; and
throughout he gave to the man a per-
sonaiity without which he would not
have been Mr.. Barnes of New York.
Marina Paoli, Enid Anstruther and
Maud Chartris are the prominent fe-
male characters, with Lady Chartris
filling somewhat large part between
times. AS Marina, Henrietta Crosman
emphasized her versatility anew. The
chanSeful, contradictory, vengeful and
loving nature of the Corsican girl was
pictured as faithfully in its sunny,
happy moments as at the crucial point
in the last act, where she is told her
newly made husband is the slayer of
her brother, against whom she has
sworn vendetta and chased over half
the world. 1t is a trying character,
and less strong or less clever actress
might easily make a mess of situa-
tions that Miss Crosman vitalizes by
her genius.
Kate Blancke, as Enid. made the
most of her lines, and at several points
in the development of the story they
afford generous scope Tor the fine act
ing Miss Blanche has so often proved
herself capable Of To say she takes
full advantage Of the opportunities Of
fered is sufficient.
AS Maud, the meddlesome, fractions,
and altogether mischievous maiden who
has been cheated out of several birth
days to aid her mothers matrimonial
ambitions, Annie Blancke made a hit
in the fullest sense of the term She
showed keen perception of her posi-
ton and she worked everybody to her
hearts content, while the audience en-
joyed the fun in way to show the
little lady was playing on a popular
chord so naturally as to be simply de-
licious.
Nettie Bourne gave to the part of
Lady Chartris a dignity that was su-
perb, while she found it quite easy to
indulge in mild f1irtations with a
charming abandon.
Of the male representations HerscheI
Mayall had the foremost, after the
titular role of the play. In no other
role has he shown so advantageously
as in that of Count Daneila The char
acter is one that calls for the exercise
OF peculiar talents; and Mayal did not
exceed limits of true art in the pictur-
Ing OF the change that may come over
an ordinarily good man when he be-
comes the slave of a consuming pas
sion. In the scene where he gloats
over his anticipated revenge for disap-
pointed love, after the Wedding" and
again where he finds the sweet antici-
patton vanishing in uncertainty and
failure he was no less realistic than
powerful; when he tumbled from be
hind the curtain, stabbed by his ac-
complace, there was enough of the like
ness of what the reality might be to
cause an involuntary thrill of horror
Robert Fischer carried out in excel
lent form the character of the revenge
full Corsican of the old school, who
would sacrifice anything and every
thing to the deadly sentiment of the
vendetta. AS Lieut.. Anstruther Fred
Perry did not have very heavy part
but he handled his lines very cleverly
Maher gave new and piquant taste
OF his inimitable quality as the French
guard. He was as easy as the snow
fall and as enjoyable as a cool drink on
a hot day. Dade and Norris got all out
of their roles that could be expected,
but there is in them very little de-
mand for work such as they are capa-
BILE of. The minor and merely Incl
dental parts are all in capable hands.
No doubt the performance will be even
more meritorious as the days go by,
and all st. Paul people who visit the
Grand this last week of the stock COM
pany will most assurediy enjoy comedy
of exquisite character, with here and
there touch of tragedy, in ''Mr.
Barnes of New York"