The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-06
AT THE THEATERs.

Two episodes in the life of the first Ma
poleon form the basis for Sardous delightful
comedy, Madame Sans Gene" 1t is pain
ful to reflect that If the Corsican lieutenant
had not entered the laundry establishment
OF Catherine Hubscher, then Madame Sans
Gene would not perhaps have been on the
spot to save the life of the intriguing Neip-
perg-unless the art of the playwright had
come TO the rescue of the emperor's intended
victim. To think that on such trifes as
wash bill depend the fate Of soldier and
happiness OF an empress-when the play
wright so wills.
Madame Sans Gene" is a delightful com
edy. Its episodes, assuming that the
dramat1sts give a true picture, lead to the
pelief that Napoleon was pretty good fellow
after ALL He may have been hasty, but most
wearers Of crowns are: he had good judg-
ment CT men. else he would not have rein
stated Fouche as chief of police; he recog-
nized the strength Of feminine diplomacy,
otherwise he would not have forgiven his
quondam wash lady. The characters, the
episodes of the play, are not improbable-in
France. Catherine Hubseher was not the
only laundress or other person in the lower
ranks who became duchess under the first
empire. Therefore, the seeming incongru-
tiles are forgiven. the comedy senjoyed and
the players applauded.
Madame Sans Gene-laundress, vlyandiere
and duchess-is the central figure about
which the plot unfolds. The character is the
creation OF master mind, and Miss Kid
der's representation is equal to the excellence
Of the part. She invests the part with xigor.
grace and intelligence. AS bold as a lion
when need be. even in the presence of the
emperor; as timid as dove before the re-
proaches of the empress, yet enraged at the
scornful taunts concerning her low origin,
Eh o and Dc -~,9@T, CO.
scorn. Contending emotions, the gau-
cherle of the canaille, the grace of lady
born, and the yigor of a soldier-an these
elements are embodied in Miss Kidder's Dor
trayal.
Augustus Cook played the part of Napoleon.
His makeup gave the impression of resem-
blance, as do the printed portraits of the en-
peror. Whether Napoleon really ever did get
into such an unpleasant predicament In his
| family affairs matters not. Mr.. Cook, with
the intelligence of a trained and forceful
| actor. extricated his man from it with skill.
| He gave to the comedy scene at the close of
| the last act another evidence of Napoleons
! versatility. The role. difficult one, was ad-
mirably portrayed.
| In Harold Russell, who had the part Of
| Marshal Lefebvre st. Paul recognizes an
| old and favorite friend. Mr.. Russell Is as
| delightful as he was years ago in the ease
! and grace and Intelligence of his stage pres
| ence. The comedy scenes between the mar
shall and Madame Sans Gene, his wife, were
| admirable bits Of acting, much appreciated
| by the audience. In Fouche, who history
says was good deal of a blackleg and who,
even the present dramatist admits, was con-
siderable Of an intriguer emo respectable
| chief OF police would be considered respect
| able without conspiracy up his sleeve'O,
Wallace Shaw was given an excellent oppor-
tunity to win friends in the audience, and
did not fail to embrace that opportunity. AS
a matter Of fact, Fouche in the play is en-
gagged in the rather discreditable business of
seeking to undermine a political rival but
because he engages with Madame Sans Gene
IN performing a double service to the en-
peror the spectator is willing to overlook
the fact and pat the conspirator, fguratively,
on the back.
All the other parts are Entrusted to excellent
hands. It is rare smooth a performance
Is witnessed in this city. This fact, coupled
with the superior merit Of the comedy ITSELF
the magnifcence Of the stage monntings, and
| the richness Of the costumes, marks the pro-
| duction one Of note. Miss Kidder's gowns
are marvels of richness and fidelity to the
dressmakers art in the days of the empire,
and everybody knows the possibilities of an
empire gown when it graces a pretty and
| graceful woman.
The audience was not large-mores the pity.
| The theater was perhaps half filed. Maybe
the foreign title is not attractive to st. Paul
| theater goers. Perhaps If the play had been
| advertised as Madame Don't Care" and
heralded with flaming posters as a French
| play, the attendance would have been greater.
j But if not large, the audience was repre-
| sentative and appreciative There were sew
| eral theater parties, and there were recalls
| for the players at the end Of each active at
| the close of the second. The same bill to-
| night with matinee tomorrow.
| Those who enjoy farce comedy will find
| what they like at the Grand opera house in
| "A Boy Wanted 1t is full of pleasing spe-
| cialties and there Is not dull moment In
! the piece. Harry Blaney in the title role
| creates end Of laughter. He is assisted
| by the clever dancers, ONeill and Suther-
| land. Tomorrow at 2:3O the last matinee OF
| this engagement will be given.