The Saint Paul globe., 1896-10-19
AT THE THEATERs.


the coin Of the realm, inasmuch as time can
not deaden the ring that reveals the genuine
coin. Truth is proof against time. "One
touch OF nature makes the whole world kin"
fhe Old Homestead is just as good just
as genuine, just as honest play as it was
the night that it received its first presenta-
tion on stage, and that was fifteen years
ago at least. Human nature kncws not time
more than do the meadows and noun
tains of New England where the old home
stead nestles, and so this picture of honest
life and simple rustic folk never grows dim
or dusty, but pulsates with life. so bright
and true it's colors
The sweet simplicity and solid truth that
pervade this wholesome dramatic the unend-
ing credit, be it said. OF its authors Den
man thompson and George II. Ryder-have
not only inspired the eloquent pens OF the
aDiest newspaper writer's in this country,
but the illustrious orators of the pulpit have
in their ministerial capaciay eulogized the
play. But better still, thousands and thou
sands OF human hearts have beat in re-
sponse to its noble sentiments and it's fidelity
10 human nature. That is the real test. No
ghost need come from the grave to tell us
this, nor minister from the pulpit.
So then, it being conceded that .sThe Old
Homestead is no novelty, whatever is to be
said about its presentation at the Metropolitan
last night can relate to the company only
And herein there a surprise in store.
The advance notices of this presentation did
not descant upon the company. They did not
even tell who was to play Joshua Whitcomb.
In consequence of this singular reticence some
felt little dubious. Perhaps the surprise
was intentional and perhaps it was not. But
in any event the audience at the metropolitan
last evening witnessed the best portrayal of
cbrro Ga
knows. John Barker is the name of the actor
who infused every scene in which he ap-
peared with the contagious spirit of life.
His Joshua" would be a creation if Denman
Thompson had not antedated him. Mr. Barker
possesses all the physical qualifications that
belong to the character With a broad and
open countenance, generous, smiling features,
and with one-of those big expansive frames
tnat somehow or other always seem to contain
big hearts, Mr.. Barker is indeed the embodi-
ment of good nature, sturdy manhood honesty
and sunshine. The merit of his impersonation
from technical standpoint consists in his
excellent imitation of the New England dialect
1t far excels in its fidelity to the real thing
the efforts CT any Of his predecessors in the
role in this city.
The other characters are in the most part
capable hands. Fred Clarke and E. H.
stephens contribute faithful characterzations
OF Cy Prime and Seth Perkins, and Lizzie
n Hall was entirely satisfactory in the role
of Aunt Mathilda. The remainder of the ca st
rendered acceptable support James F. Gala
han doubling two roles-an old Irishman and
young city chap-creditably, and the others
filling in handsomely.
most enjoyable feature of the perform
ance is the singing of the double quartette
OF male voices in the first act 1t is truly
admirable.
I'm Old Kentucky" with its picturesque
medley OF life in the Blue Grass country its
flavor of the race track and it's story of melo-
dramatic romance, was the attraction at the
Grand last evening and once more proved its
time tried popularity by filling the house al
most to overlooking. The heroine swung across
the chasm, saved Queen Bess from the burn
ing stable and won the Ashland Oaks to the
accompaniment of just as much applause as
in the days, scme seasons ago, when the
drama was a novelty and Madge Briefly was
new to the stage. And the pickaninnies
played and larked and danced as of old and
the audience wanted more of them. After ALL
perhaps the passing seasons show more and
more clearly that it was the pickaninny
band that gave to I'm Old Kentucky" much of
its popularity.
The company presenting the story is ca
pable one. Laura Burt as Madge marks her
characterization with the same charm of win
someness which in all of the roles associated
with her has made her welcome. Burt Clark
as the Kentucky colonel. Frank Dayton as
the hero and Nita Sykes shared about equally
in the generous measure of applause ac-
corded Francis Cambello in the trying and
rather thankless part of Holton received
hiss from the gallery, which is the applause OF
the stage villain. The part of Barbara Holton
who is the naughty foil to the unfettered
mountain heroine was in the hands of Miss
Marion Wellington, st. Paul girl for which
reason, perhaps, relatively large proportion
of interest attached to her performance.
in Old Kentucky will be seen at the
Grand during the whole of the week, with
matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.