St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-24
AT THE THEATERS.

1t Is to be much regretted that not a larger
audience gathered in the Metropolitan last
night to witness most capably acted play,
written by NJ. Paul Kester, around the cele-
brated character Nell Gwynne, and embrace
ing the familiar figures in her history at the
English court in the sixteenth century, dur
ing the reign Of King Charles II.
The play, which is cleverly constructed
both historically and from a dramatic stand
point, is entrusted to Rhea, and an unusually
well balanced supporting company. The
comedienne appears to good advantage as the
English girl whose beauty is as marked as
her origin is humble, and carried the brunt
Of the story with considerable force and
good effect. Her action, while possibly a
trifle apparent is withal powerful, and her
flashes of comedy impart much life to the
play. Nell Gwynne, during the reign of
Charles H., sold oranges, and, incidentally,
attracted the attention of host of admirers
whom she steadfastly resisted until she was
wen by the personal magnetism Of the reign
ing monarch. The play deals chiefly with the
attempt of Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys to
crafty personal malice, directed against Sir
Roger Fairfax, in love with the kings ward
Lady Olivia Vernon, but who is banished, as
the result of Lord Jeffreys' Vaccinations, on
account of alleged offense against the king
Nell aids the young lover when he returns
wig and gown Of the chief justice, thwarts
the latter's plan to hang the young fellow
and marry the ward to Lord Rochester
NelPs popularity with the king and her
ready wit in replying to- the cruel snubs of
the naughty court ladies, leaves her at a
disadvantage, in spite 3of which she gets hold
of letters which have been conhscated from
Sir Roger and which constitute sufficient
evidence to make clear his loyalty to his
m9ieStV. These OF fha
moment when the king, after being convinc-
ed by the scheming- justice that Sir Roger
is really Nells lover, signs the death war
rant, and the young man is to be led away
to the block.
The free tongue of a blunt servant and
some indiscreet utterances of the court
ladies, reveal the state of affairs to the
king, who readily acquits Sir Roger Of any
evil intent, and gives his ward to him in
marriage. The chief justice is stripped of
his judicial ermine, Lord Rochester cheated
OF his bride and the imperious ladies forced
to bow low to Nell. whose quick wit and
loyalty to her friends brought about the fe-
licitous denouement. The king was played
by Lyon L. Adams. who gave a thoroughly
consistent, dignified Interpretation, of the
English monarch, whose manners were said
to be as easy as his costumes were COM
plete. Edmund L. O'Cennor, as the deceit
full, vindctive chief justice, was quite as
dishonest and repulsive as the part required,
and the character was well taken. The part
of Sir Roger Fairfax was given to Joseph
O'Meara, who acted it with feeling and not a
little reserve force. In the last act, when he
fancies innuendoes are being directed against
his lady love- he is especially strong.
The ladies' parts were all acceptably filed.
Miss Nancy Gibson was the Lady Olivia
Vernon, while Helen Singer and Ruth Mac
aCley, ladies Of the court were delicously
naughty in their treatment Of Nell Gwynne
and pretty in the bargain-clad in the
ql aintest Of sixteenth century gowns and bon
nets. Mable Washburn was appropriately
demure as Tihin, barnaid. The costumes
were prettily designed and more than or
diDarily elaborate.
Nine. Rhea will present Josephine EN-
press Of the French at the Metropolitan
opera house tonight and at the matinee to-
morrow afternoon, and will close her en-
gagement in this city with Nell Gwynne" to-
morrow night. nee
The Gus Hills Novelties" will close a
very successful engagement at the Grand
with two performances tomorrow.
"a
At the solicitation Of a number Of literary
| societies and schools of this city Mile. Rhea
has consented to deliver her lecture on ''Na-
poleon" at the Metropolitan opera house Sat
urday afternoon, at about 2 o'clock, just pre-
vious to the matinee performance of "Jose-
phine, Empress Of the French
Beginning Sunday night, the popular ro-
mantle actor, Frederick Warde, will begin
an engagement of four nights and Wednes-
| day matinee at the Metropolitan opera house.
For the evening performances he will pre-
sent the famous Shakespearean tragedy in
which he has won his proudest laures,
'King Lear" and at the Wednesday matinee
he will appear in the role Of Brutus in "Ju-
lius Caesar" The sale Of seats for Mr..
Warde's engagement is now open.
Farce comedy will be the offering at the
Grand next week, commencing Sunday night.
The attraction will be the favorite come
dian John ]. Burke, In his new and sue
cessful farcical conceit called ''The Doctor