St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-08
AT THE THEATERS.

"An Everyday Man., if not misnomer for
the new play by Marguerite Merington, in
which Sol Smith Russell appeared at the Met
ropolitan last evening, is at least misleading.
In this deduction it is not necessary to go
any further than the play itself, for there is
only one of him in the large company
that she introduces. Man of the world though
he be in the best sense, the everyday man"
possesses exalted ideals and unswerving fidel-
1ty to duty with which the average man is
not credited, although they appear in every
part to which Mr.. Russell has been devoted
distinctively John Empy, banker, is richer
IN money than Noah Vale, but poorer, per-
haps, in philosophy. Nevertheless, Miss Mer-
ington has produced play which grows more
enjoyable as 1t progresses. Even though John
Empy is but a thin veneer of the Russell in
dlV1duallty, there are as Mr.. Russell re-
marked in his graceful little speech at the
end Of the second act, some elements of
freshness in it. The idea of a woman find
ing fault with her husband because he is
not sufficiently worldly, and conspirng with
her father to send him to New York city for
tear" is unique, certainly, but it is not
the limit of Miss Merington's ingenuity The
dutiful husband not only goes to the city,
but, with whole week Of liberty, maintains
the strictest temperance and faithfulness al
though he does deceive his wife and all her
friends by feigning a sad dogs happiest
night. With such theme fun makes high
frolic with so inimitable a comedian as Mr..
Russell on the boards, and his transitions
from the maudlin to the sober and serious,
as he is occasionally left alone with his CO.
ad1utor Oliver Baxter, another reasonably
good young man, trying illustrations of
MS precision as an actor. From broad dra-
matte view, the comedy might be criticised as
being TOO much Russell, but as Miss Mering-
ton no doubt wrote it with that purpose in
view, the criticism would be half praise.
Perhaps George w. Denham, as the M. D..
and Alfred Hudson, as the fathor-in-law. have
the best opportunities aside from Mr.. Rus
sell. Both acquitted themselves with credit.
The other parts were filled acceptablv all
though they are hardly more than stage ac-
cessories.
An Everyday Man. was preceded by "Mr.
Valentines Christmas a one-act sketch in
which Mr.. Russell and George Woodward an
peared to advantage. The same bill this even
ing, with the Rivals this afternoon.
Ihe woman who can draw large enough an
dlences in twenty-four cities in tw wenty-four
nights to pay the expenses of transnortinp
herseH, her company and small army of
inecHahlcs' ana give her and her managers a
handsome profit, must, indeed be a remark
able attraction. Such woman is ola Ioie,,
uller the inventor and perfector of the
serpentlne dance, who has captured Europe.
conquered New York, and now proceeds to
make brief triumphant progress of her
native land. The one night she gives to st.
Paul is April g. with Thursday matinee. when
she will appear at the Metropolitan onera
mouse, under the local management of L. N.
Scott La Loie" will give five of her most
famous dances, including the Queen of Fire"
in which she seems to be enveloped in flames.
and the Lilly of the Nile''
Inc sale OF seats for this afternoons per-
romance OF "Fatherland" at the Grand is
indicative OF large audience. The play has
made hit Charles A. Gardner was never
gwen better opportunities than in this piece,
ana 1t Is needless to state that he takes ad-
vantage of them. His songs are tuneful and
ne renders them as only he can. His "AppIe
Blossoms" is one of the prettiest numbers