The Saint Paul globe., 1897-12-06
AT THE THEATERS.

Standing room only was to be had at the
Grand last night so successful were the draw
ing powers of 1892" the operatic extrava-
ganaz. The production returns with cast
containing few if any, members of that seen
in the burlesque two years ago, but 1t is
fully as satisfactory and pleasing, for the
people are just as clever and the entire per-
formance bears none of the earnarks of
having undergone the cheapening process,
which has been too often the case with ex-
hibitions of this character The female
chorus is large enough to comfortably fill
the stage, the voices are fresh and the girls
are young, pretty and shapely.
The most conspicuous figure in the cast
is "Stuart"-for thus briefly the programme
designates him-who impersonates Queen Isa-
bella. Stuart is high soprano OF the mascu-
line persuasion He has adopted the sobrl-
quet of 1.-The Male Patti" and it isn't such
a violent assumption as one might suppose.
There are female sopranos whose vocal
achievements are several degrees further re-
moved from suggestions of Patti than are the
efforts of Stuart" His voice is truly re-
markable. 1t has no trace of that falsetto
quality usually noticeable in masculine So
pranos On the contrary, it seems to rest
on its own foundation-to be the real thing.
1t is strong clear, musical and true. Mr..
Stuart is '.more than common tall for a
woman. He wears. some gorgeous gowns,
comports himself with queen,y dignity and
never forgets his sex, except in his speciality
song, "a Hot Time in the Old Town To-
night" when he delivers a side speech in
gruf and unmistakably masculine voice that
removes all doubts concerning him.
The cast contains another interesting per-
former, Miss Zelma Raw,ston, who reveals
tn, of 1aIa iDoroa
sonations in the second act which is very
much the best of the three. Miss Rawlston's
speciality is exceedingly neat and free from
the slightest suggestion of coarseness. Her
various male attres become and fit her far
better than the costume of the Infanta of
Spain. Her frock coat and trousers, sum-
mer suit and dress suit are models Of the
tailor's art. Thoroughly at home in them,
she is a veritable living fashion plate. An
unpretentious vocalist Miss Rawlston sang
her songs effectively enough to elicit several
encores.
Frank Gardiner, the comedian Of the or
ganzation, contributed a comic tramp spe-
cialty, and Master Tommy Meade. in the
role of street singing newsboy, was obliged
to repeat his speciality.
Between the second and third acts ten living
pictures were exhibited. They fully merited
the liberal applause bestowed, the poses and
groupings being artistic, and the subjects in
good taste.
If the last curtain should drop half an hour
earlier the change would work an improve
ment.
Five elephants in acrobatic contortions, in
unique tricks and evincing almost human
intelligence such the principal feature
of the refined vaudeville attraction at the
Metropolitan last evening. The quintette of
animals responded with alacrity to every
command; they danced, performed gymnastic
feats, and two of them actually performed
little act. Their performance did credit
to their trainer, Prof. Sam Lockhart.
The rest Of the programme was excellent.
M. Gilbert, g. gymnast of rather more
than ordinary ability, went through several
difficult feats. Two vtYacious and piquant
young ladies, billed as the Clerise sisters,
rendered vocal and instrumental duets. the
latter being performed on a variety of in
struments. Johnson and Lundin, Swedish
athletes, handled 20O-pound dumb-bells with
apparent ease, and juggled fifty-six- pound
weights with graceful dexterity. Joe and
Nellie Doner did a very clever sketch act
with songs and Bowery impersonations. Will
liams and Stone, burnt cork comedians, enter
tanned the audience by their absurdities and
wing dancing. at
The programme closed with one-act farce,
"a Row in the Street" introducing the
Slavin brothers. in a grotesque boxing ex-
hibition. ST .el