St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-08
GRAND TO WITNESS "a NIGHT
OFF,"
PRESENTATION OF THE PIECE
WAS sAO0TH, AND EFFECTIVE
AND PASSED OFF WITHOUT
A HITCH.
CREDIT IS DUE TO BEN JOHNSON
cess Was fnf q Great Measure
Due.


A brilliant, fashionable, representa-
tive gathering OF St. Paul society as
sembled at the Grand opera house last
night to witness an amateur perform
ance Of Augustin Days adaptation of
that exceedingly clever farce from the
German of Sonthal, entitled "A Night
Off" 1t is customary for the reviewer
Of amateur performances to approach
his task with a mingled sentiment OF
compassion and generosity towards the
players, whose efforts are 'oftener well
meant than they are successful. 1t is
therefore genuine pleasure to record,
in this instance. the remarkably
smooth and effective presentation Of
this exacting farce given by the COM
pany OF amateurs at the Grand last
night. Considering the peculiar diff
culties that creations of this character
present to all players, demanding as
they do the swiftest action, and the
conducting of the dialogue with much
briskness- and sparkling spontaneity,
the achievement of these amateur ladies
and gentlemen was indeed rare. The
performance was most enjoyable, Not
blunder marred it. and the prompter's
Il u
all this the performers merit the warm
est praise, while special credit must be
bestowed upon Ben Johnson, of ST.
Paul, under whose stage direction the
play was produced. Mr.. Johnson's pro-
fessfonal experience was manifest
throughout. Such performance would
have been impossible without such ex-
perience.
"A Night OFF, is a bright and breezy
farce, Astounding in exceptionally crisp,
v1vacious and witty dialogue, most
laughable situations, and felicitous ex-
hibitions Of amusing traits of human
nature. 1t ohits off with admirable
humor pedagogue who has written
play and csnceals the fact from his
purltan1cal wife, a theatrical manager
of Transforming troupe, a stage
struck servant girl and a suspicious
wife, I'D
The role of the theatrical manager,
Marcus Brutus Snap, was assumed by
Mr.. Johnson 1t is no exaggeration to
say that Mri Johnson surprised even
those who had previously accorded the
fullest measure to his capabilities. His
fmpersonation, even from a profession
al standpoint, is entitled to pronounced
commentator for its expressive unc-
ton. distinctive Individuality and ir-
resistible flavor 20
Harry Davis exhibited commendable
ease and spontaneity in the role of
DR.. Henry Damask,s the young hus-
Dand who manufactured "paSt life"
! to humor his wife. The same might
| be said of Robert Hale, who imperson-
| ated Jack Mulberry, the young man to
whom the past really belonged, with
a gratifying freedom from all affecta-
| ton. .-,.s>- ~eaa
AS for the ladies, they fully and ably
4! sustained their share of the work Miss
! Mary T. Sturgis contributed an ad-
mlrable characterization Of Mrs. Bah
| bitt, the professors wife, who disiikes
the theater while the role of Susan.
the stage-struck' domestic, was por-
| trayed with exceptional ability by Miss
Adah Hawkins. Miss Mabel and Miss
Amy Horn appeared to excellent adj
vantage as the professors daughters,
! Nisbe and Angelica, the doctors jeal-
Gus wife. John. D. Miller was salts
factory in the role of Prof Rabbit
| The audience was as large as it was
refined and appreciative.. It seemed
as If all the society leaders were pres
ent. The proscenium boxes were all
occupied. 1t is scarcely necessary to
|
were all attired in evening dress.
Manager Kingsbury devoted himself
assiduously to attending to the COM
fort and convenience Of the audience.
Canopies in front of the theater COW
cred the ladies as they walked from
their carriages to the entrance, and
also at the conclusion of the perform
ance.
At the close of the second act beau
tiful bouquets were passed over the
footlights to all the members of the
company.
Mrs. H. J. Horn, Of so Irvine Park,
entertainS Friday next.
The Ladies' Society of Woodland
Park Church gave pleasant social and
informal entertainment at the church
last night. Cleared of the seats the
interior Of the church presented most
pleasing appearance, with five daintily
appointed and softly lighted tea, coffee
and chocolate tables placed here and
there. These We're presided over by
Mrs. Addison Moore, and her assis-
tant, Miss Anna Talmadge; Mrs. Harry
| Draper and her assistant Miss Burtis: