St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-19

seem to possess with Joseph Jefferson
as Bob Acres, Nat G. Goodwin as Sir
Lucius O'Trigger, William H. Crane
as Sir Anthony Absolute, Francis Will
son as David, Robert Taber as Capt
Absolute, Joseph Holland as Faux
land, E. M. Holland as Fag, Mrs. John
Drew as Mrs. Malaprop, and Julia
MarloweTaber as Lydia Languish!
True, many Of these actors have
been seen in the play, but never before
has it been cast here with such COM
pleteness, nor prepared with the care
and study that have been undertaken
for the coming, too brief, May sea-
son. When 1.-The Rivals" was pre-
sented at the Couldock benefit with a
somewhat similar cast, the rehearsals
were few and hurried. Since the pres
ent arrangement was entered into all
concerned, from Joseph Jefferson down,
have given much time and careful
thought to every detail Of the produc-
ton.
The first performance by this re-
markable company will be given in
Springfield, Mass, May 4. The tour
will include Chicago and st. Louis,
and only one performance will be given
in any city.
sgsa
The engagement of Rhea at the Metropoli
tan next Thursday, Friday and Saturday with
Saturday matinee will be made memorable
by the presentation of her new romantic play
Nell Gwynne" which treats of the brighter
incidents in this famous woman's career
She will also be seen in her well-known and
interesting tragedy of Josephine, Empress
of the French" Nell Gwynne' is from the
pen of Paul Kaster. Rhea's conception oi
this part is said to be far beyond expecta-
tions, identified as she has been with digni-
fed roles. The play is in four acts, and a
prominent critic has said that ''it teens with
brilliant dialogue, scintillates with real wit
and contains many touches of tender pathos "
The story is interesting as it shows the
many good qualities and great charity of the
Wlnsome, happy Nell as we'll as her devotion
to Charles II. throughout her entire life
Nell Gwynne" will be presented THURSDAY
and Saturday nights, while Josephine, EN-
press of the French" will be the bill for
Friday night, and at the popular Saturday
matinee.
Rhea's Josephine is unquestionably strong
characterization, and it may be said that the
present Napoleonic craze dates from the time
she first produced this story of the life of
the meteoric Corsican. Some stirring his
tor1cal events Of that era are faithfully re-
produced, and Josephnes exquisite character
is revealed in a picturesque manner Both
productions will be carefully staged and
richly costumed.
Charles Frohman will hereafter be a London
as we'll as New York manager. He will sail
for Europe about May 1, and soon after his
arrival in London ''The Gay Paristans," which
had such a success in New York, at Hoyt's
theater, will be produced by him, under the
title of ga Night in Paris" at the Vaudeville
theater Later on he intends to put on Will
lam Gillette's play, 'EThe Secret Service at
the Adelphi Miss Olga Nethersoles engage
ment in London will be played under the
management Of himself and his brother, Dan
tel Frohman, but as yet they have not been
able to secure a theater for her. and It is
possible that her opening will have to be
postponed until September. She will close her
present tour in this country on April 25. and
Will sail for Europe during the following week.
In recent interview Charles Hoyt declared
that his ambition will not be satisfied until
he Is the possessor of 8, Zoo, coo, the governor
OF his native state. and universally recognized
as the Sardou of America. But why Sardou ?
asks Hillary Bell, of the New York Press.
Irreverent folk may inquire wittily and wisely
Why Mr.. Hoyt should couch lance against
Sardou, when Shakespeare might be riyaled
To such people this modesty of aspiration in
the author of ''The Tin Soldier" 'The Black
Sheep and other dramatic poems of great
pith and moment Is not only occult, but ab-
horrent. The pathway of genius is still beset
by mockers, and those who do not comprehend
the true greatness of Mr.. Hoyt will continue
to marvel that he does not eclipse Sorhocles.
douse the glim of Moliere, knock Sheridan
into cooked hat, and make the Bard of Avon
look seven ways for Sunday. It will be no
more difficult for Mr.. Hoyt to be the Amer
lean Shakespeare than the Yankee Sardou.
Soofers have some reason to ask why the
author OF "A Bunch of Keys should enter
the lists with any modern Frenehman, when
MS achievements have already caused the
CLASSIC poets to turn uneasily in their graves.
Greece had great men, but it had no Hoyt.
The dramatists of the Restoration were wits
or hne quality, yet they were not Hoyts We
are assured that Marlowe and Shakespeare
and Rare Ben johnson would have lived longer
and written better if they had smoked a nine
with Hoyt Hoyt is the mountain top. or
apogee, of the dramatic literature of all the
ages. Why should he bother about Sardou
Why should he be not content to remain Hoyt
Could even Homer have written ''The Bow
ery?" In the entire library of Shakespeare
works are there any characters to be COM
pared with Hot Stuff or welland Strong? We
think not. We think that the epies of all
time leave their laurels In West TWENTY
fourth street, and that twenty centuries of
literature are stored under Mr.. Hoyt,s hat.
Three poets in three distant countries born,
Greece. England and America adorr9
The first in majesty of thought surpassed.
The second in wit. and In both the last;