The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-23
AT THE THEATERS.

Good players in a good play form an
invincible combination. Great players in
poor play and poor payers in great play
are too heavily handicapped with minus
qualities to compete with the positive excel
lence of the conquering combination Such
union of two admirable qualities is exemplfed
by Madeline Lucette Ry-ey's comedy, can
American Citizen" with Nat c. Goodwin, Miss
Maxine Elliott and the supporting company
engaged in it's presentation.
An exceedingly clever play is can Ameri
can Citizen" 1t bears the strokes of
woman's pen, but it's feminine touches are its
very charm. So deftIy and delcately are
they applied that the most prosaic cannot
charge the play with the sentimentaity of the
conventional novel, and yet the eternal senti-
ment of love dominates the entire play. For
this feat alone the interesting author de-
serves unmeasured credit. Then too, she has
displayed uncommon talent in alternating the
grave with the gay. The admixture of the
practical and comical with the sentimental
and the serious is wonderfully like real life,
as witness the scenes between the husband
and wife in the hotel apartments. These
scenes indeed are marvels of ingenuity.
But while tthe plays the thing to ''catch
the conscience of the king" players are re-
quired to catch the conscience Of the people.
The players were in evidence last night Mr.
Goodwin, who has justly earned the distinc-
ton Of one of Americas ablest actors,
strengthened the high opinion in which he is
already held by his smooth, finished, artistic
portrayal Of a young of noble heart and
honest impulses who has the capacity to
love woman more than he does himself
Feminine dramatsts are pardonable for
idealizing their heroes.
Beresford Cruger is New York lawyer
rrvf@
becomes a British subject, changes his name
to Carew and marries an English lady in or
der to obtain a legacy of $500. eco bequeathed
him by an English uncle, who hated America
and Americans. The English uncle in the
meantime, disinherited his beautiful daughter
Beatrice, and provided that in no event should
his nephew. Beresford Cruger. or Carew, if he
came into the legacy, share any of it with
his cousin Beatrce. Blu the surviving nephew
and daughter Outwit the dead testator by
marrying each other, the nephew previously
becoming a British subject and changing
his name to Carew. But the marriage is
one Of form only and instantly after its
soiemnization Beatrice Carew sails for
Europe. The scene then changes from New
York to Nice. where husband and
wife meet. There also appears upon
the scene Mr.. Brown, to whom
Mrs. Carew had formerly been af-
famed, but whom she supposed to have lost
his life in the glaciers of the Alps. This
Brown also happens to be the defaultng
law partner of Carew or Cruger to paw
whose defalcations Cruger sacrificed his Amer
lean citizenship. In the meantime Carew has
fallen in love with his wife and she with
him, but neither dares to confess the precious
secret. Browns appearance causes an
estrangement through misunderstanding in
geniously contrived but very compatible with
our everyday experience. nevertheless
Husband and wife come to know each other
in the final scene representing Carew's barely
furnished lodgings in London. The wife seeks
him out there, and they disclose their mutu-
al love on that Christmas eve in a scene
ineNpressibly sweet and beautiful.
If Mr.. Goodwin's impersonation refreshed
and stimulated the sensibilities in it's free
dom from all trace of theatricism, in its
spontaneity and wealth of unctuous humor
praise equally as strong and unqualified
must be bestowed upon Miss Maxine Elliott
Miss Elliott's portrayal of Beatrice Carew is
entitled to the distinction that belongs to
character creation. 1t was more than
representation of an ordinary young woman
with a good character and a warm heart.
Miss Elliott's Beatrice was woman of strik-
ing characteristics, woman to be remem-
bered by the most biase observed. 1t may be
urged that the undeniable beauty Of Miss
Elliott imparts the distinguishing character
to her delineation, but a moments reflection
upon the insipid beauties of the stage who
have no other claim to recognition demon
strates the fallacy Of that position. The truth
is, Miss Elliott is an actress of marked abil-
ity, keen intelligence, excellent taste and
ready sympathy. She is further gifted with
a sweet voice.
The supporting company contributed eff
cient service William IngersolPs Peter Bar
bury, Carews law partner. was an excellent
characterization, and the Sir Humphrey Bum
of Clarence Handys;de is especially to be
commended as a genteel and life-like por-
trait of an elderly English gentleman. Miss
Estelle Mortimer Miss Hattie Russell and
Miss Gertrude Elliott were all satisfactory.
IAN American Citizen" surpasses any of
the newly written comedies seen here this
season. The house was very large and &C
corded Mr. Goodwin and Miss Elliott several
curtain calls.
Nat c. Goodwin scored such tremendous
hit in IAN American Citizen" at the Met
ropolitan last night that it has been decided
to make this charming comedy the bill for the
entire engagement. Mr.. Goodwin and his
clever company will appear in can American
Citizen" tonight, tomorrow matinee, and at
the closing performance tomorrow night in
stead of The Rivals" as originally an
nounced.
1t happens all too rarely that the theater
goer is afforded an opportunity Of Witnessing
so good a play as "Shore Acres" This
charming play of New England life is the
outcome of years of thought and labor, and
not until it's author. James A. Herne, had
spent nearly year of his life in daily inter
course with the characters he had drawn
did he think the drama suitable for produc-
ton. Arrangements have been made for
fine scenic production of this play at the
Metropolitan for the coming week. the author
making his first appearance in this city in the
leading role.
Each succeeding performance Of The sum-
mer season vaudeville at the Grand marks
a decided increase in the patronage, and the
fact that St. Paul theater goers appreciate
this class of entertainment is being strongly
demonstrated Irene Franklin in her songs
and limitations has caught on immensely, and
is well received at each performance. Hallen
and Fuller, Conroy and Mcdonald, St:nson
and Merton, and the others are all appre-
ciated. The daily matinee idea is growing in
popularity.
Next week at the Grand the second edition
of the summer vaudeville will be introduced
Manager Lit in keeping with his promise TO
maintain the standard of the departure,
nounces bill which Is claimed TO be stronger
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