The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-11-24
AT THE THEATERS.


Martha Morton is the author of that play,
"A Bachelors Romance which Mr.. Rus
sell brought forth last night at the Metro
politan opera house. large and appre-
ciative audience received 1t with a glad well
come, as well they might, for it is a gem
of the dramatists art. Not dazzling bril-
liant jewel, amazing indeed the very facul-
ties Of eyes and ears, but rather sweet
flower typifying in it's beauty and fragrance
the triumph Of nature. For nature is its back
ground, it's motive and it's spirit
In witnessing this play, the first impulse
of the appreciative heart is one of gratitude
to the author that she has given to the stage
an exquisite drama of humanity, circunl-
scribed though 1t may be in that it does
not aim to run the entire gamut of emo
lions, but nevertheless of absorbing interest
Inc value Of a picture is not always meas
ured by the size Of its frame. "A Bachelors
Romance" is indeed q romance, simple, sweet
and pure. 1t is not the day dream of the
young lover, but the real essence of the deep
and unselfsh love of a man, that compels
respect as well as sympathy.
With true artistic delieacy the dramatist
tells the story Of the love of a guardian for
his ward, the daughter of dear friend, who
on his death bed confided his child to his
friends care. The guardian, David Holmes,
literary critic, spends what should have
been the sunshine of his early life grinding
out book reviews for the paper that employs
him. Every has his love affair, they
say, but David does not experience his until
he becomes a bachelor of 40, as dusty as his
books and little acquainted with the world
as their authors. Then he becomes acquainted
with his ward a girl of II, whom David had
placed in the care of a maiden lady, while
he provided for her support. Her presence
hndS hot
more natural or inevitable than that he should
love her. But he does not disclose that love,
believing that Sylvia's heart belongs to
gifted young writer, who has paid her de-
voted attention. 1t happens that this young
man, Harold Reynolds, is competitor for
$4,000 prize offered by the paper on which
David is employed for the best story SUBJ
mitted before certain date. David is the
judge selected to pass upon the stories and
award the prize Harolds story is superior
to all the others. To award him the prize
is to enable him to marry Sylvia. David
knows this, and also knows that the best
story is Harold's, having unwiIlingly been
informed of the title of Harold's effort. There
is a momentary struggle, but his noble, un-
selfish nature conquers and he gives Harold
the prize.
But in the end, it transpires that Sylvia
does not reciprocate HaroId's affection, but
loves her guardian.
This is all very simple, and the merit Of
the drama does not depend solely upon the
revelation of the mutual love of David and
Sylvia. 1t rests even more securely upon
the skill with which Miss Morton has drawn
the other characters. The most conspicuous
in its precision Of outline and genuineness of
color is that of Gerald Holmes, David's
dashing and pleasure seeking brother. The
dramatic climax Of the play is the scene
between the two brothers, when David dis
covers his brother, flushed with wine, in
the act Of trying to force a kiss upon Sylvia.
The character Of Helen LIE Grand, Davids
widowed sister, a fashionable and heartless
woman of the world, is likewise skillfully
drawn, while another unmistakable phase
OF human nature is exhibited in the role of
Martin Briggs, Dayid's confidential secre-
tary. a crusty old bachelor, soured on the
world and all It's ways, but he, too, cherish
ing the bitter memory of disappointed love.
1t Is all very natural, real and appealing.
To analyze Mr. RusselPs portrayal Of David
Holmes is hardly necessary, the character Is
so straightforward, and Mr.. Russell's meth
ods are SO we'll known. 1t Is SUFFICIENT to
say that 1t Is an admirable delineation sur
passing in artistic worth any OF Mr.. Rus
sells previous efforts, with the exception of
Noah Vale, and equaling that impersonation
The transformation in David's personal ap-
pearance, due to the miraculous power Of love-
from the pinched, dyspeptic and seedy-look-
ing aseetic to the buoyant, cheerful and we'll
dressed man, was perhaps a tri1e too much
to expect even love to accomplish, but dra-
matte license steps in here and says it is
all right, for Davids heart is experiencing its
youth for the first time, and it must smooth
out the burrows in his face. comb his hair
and brighten his eyes, Mr. Russell is always
adequate In the scenes awakening sympathy;
his pathetic touches always proving effective
because free from theatric artifce.
Words Of unqualified praise must be written
OF Bertha Creighton's delicate and charming
Characterization Of Sylvia. Innocence and
sweet simplicity were personified in her
portrayal.
Equally unreserved commentator should be
bestowed upon Arthur Forrest for his alto
gether capital impersonation Of Gerald Holmes
the pleasure seeking brother. His was an
excellent piece Of acting characterized nv
pronounced grace of bearing repose and spon
taneity.
George w. Denham, a sterling actor of un-
questioned merit, contributed rich char
acterization of Martin the old bachelor and
Beatrice Moreland realized without undue ak
aggeration, the woman Of fashion and foibles.
me others were all adequate to the work
required.
The play is beautifully staged. The rust,c
scene in the last act is landscape poem.
Mr.. Russell was called before the curtain
after each act and between the second and
third acts in response to the inevitable cries
OF speech! Speech" he thanked the audi
ence for its approving. manifestations in his
own quaint and humorous fashion.
The Al G. Field minstrels will begin an
of he
with Thanksgiving day matinee. The en-
gagement will be for three nights and two
popular price matinees. Utopia, the con-
Guiding burlesque of this company, will make
an evenings entertainment in ITSELF
Saved From the Sea" with the strong
attraction Of the biograph has caught the
public at the Grand opera house. Saved
From the Sea- tells a strong interesting
story and both company and scenic arrange
ments are complete.