St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-04-08
YAI Observation-Disclosures
TT THE. TH6HTRES
Observation-Disclosures
Metrope1ftnn-shore Acres

MetropeIftnn-shor Acres.Ss
When Nathan'l Berry Iaborioasly
stumbled up the stairway and dis
appeared, candle in hand, through
a bedroom door in the old home,
last night, he left behind a momen-
tary silence that was eloquent of
human feeling, pure and true and
deep. Exquisite indeed was the
thrill of the vibrant chord Of emo.
ton in the hardly breathing people
he left behind. noir
''Shore Acres''-What a name to;
cover and compass a mine of life, +
and hope, and faith supreme. YETI
perhaps, no better will occur to the
mind, even after it has been fas-
cinated and refreshed by view Of
the pictures superb, the action
faultless, and the development SOUL
satisfying that are witnessed in
Herne's triumph of dramatic art, as
in no other idyl of it's kind, if there
ever has been other idyl than this
staged for man to absorb, and
cherish and dream over when other
pictures shall have been obliterated
from memoTy'S pages.
1t is simple farm story put into
form for public view. But the see
ing of it renews the light of forgot
ten goodness; renews the life blood
OF thought that saves men and
women for honor and for God;
causes to bubble afresh the we'll
springs of all that is divine under
the dross of the conventional shell
of cynicism and of Self-Sufficiency.
Inspiration for the better side; help
for the sore1y tired of human kind;
foundation for character; quicken
ing for the heart where the slumber
OF despair has been; warmth for the
soul freezing amid the icicles of
worldliness and avarice! Strong,
moving. perfect in every line and
sentence, in every scene and act!
There are eloquent siiences,"
touches of beauty, flashes of joy,
and contrasts of regret, anger and
grief, until it comes to the point
where the beholder must seize on
the most eVanescent preteXt to
claim relief in a smile-or a tear.
Such acting makes one forget the
| actors in the interest given to the men
and women and children whose life
story one can grasp and become part
of. Charles Craig, the elder brother,
simply heroic Nathan'1; James Lack
aye, at once the care and trouble of
the dead mothers first-born; powerful.
proud and hot-headed Martin-these
brothers Berry are presented so faith
ful to the life that nothing is left to
| cavil at. 1t were hard to say which is
the better done, for both are living
flesh and blood, put up as everyday
men appear. Joel Gates, a typei Of
New Englander that Ed J. Connolly
sets forth in most complete artistic
form, because of ideality, or trivial
1ry, there is none about him. The low
Ing care for Mandy, his child. is touch
ing, while scarcely in evidence at ALL
Josiah Blake, the boomer and money
maker, by w. II. Burton; Sam Warren
lover and progressive physician by
William j. Dean-these are characters
studied so well they impress one as
real and ordinary parts of a conf
munity.
Martins daughter, Helen Berry, is "a
country girl Of whom there are many
in actual life, but few, on the stage
MISS Caroline Franklin takes the role
most admirably. There are no faults
OF voice, movement or manner to be
criticised. With numerous chances to
break and overdo, through moments
or trying work and absorbing interest
she bears herself most excellentiy
Loving, teader. yielding; stung to
anger, indignation, defiance; she is Still
the New England girl of the farm and
fireside. Miss Polly Poland King, as
Martin Berry'S wife, was as forcefuI
as plqGant, as natural as the scenery
amid which she moved. Good to look
at and wise as matron should be, her
little trick of repetition of last words
OF sentences made the pleasure of her
presence complete.
There were other types and other
characters, secondary to these, among
the adults, not one of which but would
attract decided attention in any other
play. 10 see them is to know them
and place them as people do their
nelghbors. The little ones-especiaIIy
the two little tots of girls, Doris Hardy
ana Nellie Clare-ara not the least at
tractive parts Of this affecting pastoral
picture. Mile Berry, talkative, cute.
yet never obtrusive; Mandy Gates, Sill
ent, clinging to daddy, talking with
her eyes and trained to difficult path
for child to walk-these children
draw your love and hold your interest
wonderfully. Master Harold White
more. as Bob Berry, saucy and re-
Vengeful in a boyish way, was com
mendable for his bearing throughout.
The scenery is wonderful in it's sim
pi1clty and truthfulness. Such a stage
piece as the Berry kitchen, for IN.
stance-a kitchen not of paper mache
figures or make-believe utensils. but a
sure-enough kitchen, where a dinner
is prepared-or the house yard scene. is
rarely seen. No better was ever placed
by stage mechanicians Of the light
house, interior and exterior, no praise
would be too fattering. 1t is simDlv
perfect in the effects produced. There
is natures thunder and lightning
there, you say, and that is a coast
wise boat tossing on yonder wave.
The company is large, and evidently
selected with care and judgment. A
base ball expert would say it is team
work" that makes the whole effect not
only pleasing, but strong and effective.
For the week .'Shore Acres" will be in
st. Paul it will be strange if the Metro-
politan is not packed at every per-
Torrance. ]
Mugwump,s Opinion.