St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-24
AT THE THEATERS.


Cuba, and the destinies of it's dramatis
personae are closely interviewer with
the fortunes of the war between the
natives and the Spaniards
TO the credit of the author, L N Nor
us, 1t must be conceded that he has
surrounded his creation with the at
ncsphere OF that much perturbed coun-
try In the first act he opens the pur-
PIE testament of bleeding war; He
turns leaf after leaf of the sanguinary
volume, until the close of the last act.
The final eliminating page tells the
story OF retribution for the assassin and
SPY. and vindication of the innocent
and heroic. So far Mr.. Morris has done
well. His dialogue is, in the MAN, crisp
and snappy. This is especially noticea-
Die IN the melodramatic situations and
ciimaxes, which are interpreted by fiery,
patriotic speeches, that not only cap
ture the gallery. but thrill the par
quette, so forcible and convincing is
their sound. 1t might be urged that
some OF the climaXes are eXtraVagan
and many of the situations far-fetched
Judged by the ordinary events and
happenings of everyday life, espe-
clally in the times of peace, in north
ern zones they doubtless are. But it
should be remembered that THE Last
stroke Is melodrama and melo-
dramas-well, they are melodramas.
But the people not only saw a new
play last night; they likewise beheld a
remarkable first nights performance.
Not line was dropped, not a scene
bungled, though one was omitted. as
was afterwards learned, but the omis-
sion was not detected at the time.
Manager Lifts good Judgment in
choosing such artists as Frederic De
Belleville, Samuel Edwards and Ada
DWyer to interpret his latest venture
was clearly manifested. Mr. De Belle
vile easily bore off the honors with his
admirable and subtle portrayal of
Capt. Valdez, the Spanish spy Mr..
DE Bellevlile is an accomplished actor
His demeanor and bearing were always
IN conformity with the character he
represented. Spectacular as the role is,
Mr.. De Belleville did not pose as
though the photographers camera was
pointed at him. He acted. He did not
read" his lines, but spoke them
Miss Ada Dwyer must be commended
for her representation of Lenora Mar
tinez who loves Spain, but abhors it's
spies, or any country's spies, for that
matter. Her performance was vigor-
Gus and intelligent
Another creditable characterization
was that Of Samuel Edwards, who i'm
personated DIR. Nicholas Blake, the
United States consul at CaranZas,
Cuba. Mr.. Edwards has a jolly per-
sonality, and an unctuous style that
finds ready sympathy and brings a
quick response from the audience
Helen Lowell, who was cast for the
role of Sister Loyola, displayed most
commendable delicacy of treatment
and refined sentiment. Miss Lowell
should speak little louder. however.
as some of her speeches were inaudi-
BILE last night to those sitting well
back from the stage.
John T. Sullivan's portrayal of the
Cuban priest, Padre Navarro, did not
altogether realize the universal con-
ception Of a priestly character While
smooth and dignified at times. it lacked
the true dignity and the reserve power
that one hopes for in the crucial
scenes. 1t is a question whether Mr..
Sullivan would not do well to brush
his hair clean away from his fore
head, discard his nonchalant gait and
assume less Suave and mild demean-
or. Such change would supply an
effective contrast
The comedy lines and situations of
The Last Stroke" cannot be com
mended. The wit, such as it is, comes
1orth hard, clumsily, for it is based
on extrayagant, unnatural assump-
lions. The principal offender in this
respect is Lieut. Drum, an American
volunteer in the Cuban army. Walter
Il. Woodhan, the gentleman cast for
this role, is entirely misplaced. Mr..
WoodhaH reminded one of marion
cite. 1t fairly racked ones bones to
watch him. The scene between the
lieutenant and Margery, in the third
act. should be eliminated. The same
suggestion applies to the scene in the
second act in which the lieutenant
retires TO an ice house to change his
clothes.
Edgar Forrest deserves a word of
praise for his impersonation of Zavala.
the Would-be assassin and SOY.
The scenery reflects great credit ND
on the artists, Homer f. Emens and
Joseph Hart. 1t is beautifully paint
ed, especially the drops in the first
and second acts
William Hoey, long associated with Charles
Evans in Hoyt's "A Parlor Match" an
peared last night at the Metropolitan thea
ter. supported by a number of clever people
IN new comedy, THE Globe Trotter,''
ways funny. and even in THE Globe Trot-
ter" which has its limitations, contrived to
Keep the audience in the best possible humor.
The comedy, which has rather more of
plot than is usually the case, treats. of the
odd adventures of traveller named A.
Cheever Steele, who is rounding the globe
on bet. The brunt of the plot hinges on
lish ancestry, who has betrothed his niece
Myra, to an English gentleman. Lord Car
lingford, who is himself in search of a wife.
This lord is daily looked for at the Brim-
stone, accompanied by his mother, with
whom he is travelling. The niece, who really
loves Bob Hadley. is much broken I'D at
her uncles determination.
Steele whose other name is Paul Clifford
happens along most opportunity on the last
days of his trip but he is confronted almost
at the last with the prospect of losing his
wager. Here Old Hoss steps in and in a
series of cleverly devised schemes, saves the
day for Clifford, and after sustaining sew
eral diSguiSes-including a very funny fe-
male Observation-Disclosures the stern uncle
to time, and Myra is allowed to wed the man
she loves. Hoey, with his iniInitable unc-
tuous humor, fairly carried off the honors
although the other parts were well taken.
He first appears as his audiences know him
best, as the tramp, but straightway SLAVES
his beard and is the mother of the brlm-
magen lord-Clifford-and later an imitation
of the lord himself. In the various characters
he fully maintained his reputation as a real
funmaker. Not much can be said of the play
It affords Matte Vickers opportunity to
play-and play well too-a German servant
part which she made the most Of scoring a
decided hit. Her scene with Hoey is especial
ly ludicrous
M. A. Kennedy as the irascible old uncle
with English traditions and American pref
erences, made Harbottle Birthstone a most
interesting character. Mr.. Kennedy is
Froyham forces. Theodore Babcoek in the
title role was quite satisfactory, and plays
with commendable snap and finish.
The erratic little English lord Carlingford
was played by Bert C. Thayer. who for accent
and manner was all that could be desired
Miss Beatrice Moreland who was the Myra
Birthstone of the play and Miss Gerome Ed
wardy cast Miss Dorky Warey a young