The Saint Paul globe., 1896-12-10

walter Whiteside appeared at the Metro
politan last night in a drama new to the
stage, Eugene Aram. AS the title would
indicate, the p1Ayiis dramatization of Bull
wer's celebrated novel, which is in turn
founded upon "a historical incident in the
annals OF crime. Bu1wer's story is essen
tally creation appealing to the intellectual
faculties rather than the emotions and i'm
pulses. True. n1hEder is its dominating note
but the theme OF the narrative is Eugene
Aram's remorse. Like the king in "Ham-
let, his lined soul'' struggles to be free.
dramatization Of 1such material necessarily
becomes moreo of psychological monologue
than drama Of action. Bearing in mind
tnen the difficulty of transferring the novel
to the stage, it must be admitted that Mr.
Whiteside and his collaboration, Paul Kester
nave done surprisingly we'll in their adapta-
ton of the work
Ihe drama is necessarily of somber hue and
1t speaks for the wisdom of the dramatists
that they havesnot' made any extravagant at
tempts to illuminate it with the artificial
light OF the forced comedy that is always so
paIpably out of place. There are a few
Just feW-lght touches to relieve the gloom
Without dissipating it. In short, the play
Wouio depress dyspeptic, but a vigorous
stomach, a cheerful disposition and a bright
mind would find much to admire in it. It
is undeniably strong at times, and especially
so IN the scene at the close Of the second
act, IN which Aram resolves to kill House
man. MS aecomplice in the murder, while
the latter is lying asleep. He stands over
Houseman and points pistol at the sleeper's
neart. me suspense is intense. Every in
slant you expect to hear the fatal report of
the pistol. But the plants Of a. bird that
nghts upon the window sill seeking refuge
from the storm rouses Aram from his dread
purpose and he drops his weapon to the
noor and rescues the frightened thing This
was altogether the most impressive scene of
the play.
With Mr. Whiteside's impersonation Of the
ltle role no material fault can be found
it IS picturesque characterization worthy
Oh ehpnatlc praise. 1t is a striking portray
al OF the intellectual philosophical student
OF vivid imagination and highly wrought
sensibilities. Mr.. Whiteside's acting in the
thrilling scene just described is effective to a
degree. He was equally artistic in the last
scene of aii'' in Aram's strange eventful
history" when the condemned man makes
his oral confession of the murder of Walter
Lester In the book this confession is
written document delivered to Walter and to
De opened only after the execution. In the
play Aram makes verbal confession, which
is, of course, greatly condensed, and well
condensed by the dramatists, as it is com
pressed into Just the proper length to pro-
duce the proper dramatic effect Mr.. White
side delivered it admirably
The supporting company appeared to bet
ter advantage than in Hamlet and 1.-The
Merchant of sVenice." Mr.. Herman's i'm
personation of Richard Houseman fully real
lied the natural conception of that william.
Miss Lucia Moore interpreted the role of
Madeline Lester in a spontaneous, unaffected
manner in keeping with the character albeit
a trife too self-eontafned in the farewell
scene. Miss Josephine Morse contributed
satisfactory characterization of Dame Dark
mans
Tonight Mr. Whiteside will present 'Othel-
10. He will impersonte Iago and Mr.. Her
man viii plyIthe Moor.
''The Girl Left Behind Me" the attraction
at the Grand the present week, demonstrated
the 1act that strong play can be written
without the noise and rant of the ordinary
melodrama. In constructing the Girl l Left
Behind Me" Messrs. Beasco and Fyles have
struck new theme, and never before in a
stage production, has the American Indian
been presented so Enthusiastically The
company presenting the play at the Grand Is
the best that has been seen here in it, The
scenic features of the production are un-
usually complete. IL. ~
T.*e**
Every seat at Conoxer hall was sold last
evening at 7:30. Hundreds stood up. and
many who wished to attend were compelled to
return home. At s. o'clock sign reading
Breathing Room. Only was to be seen. Miss
Fay and her wonderful performance has GER
tainly caught the town. matinee will be
given on Saturday to ladies and children only.
~
The advance sale Of seats for the Nordfea
concert opened at Howard & Farwelps music
store yesterday morning. The sale was good
Such artists as Nine. Nordica, Charles
Gregorowitsch the violinist, and Mrs Her
man Schefer. the pianist in connection with
chorus OF 200 from the University of Mime
sofa, are an assurance that the concert will
be a musical success