The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-03-01
AT THE THEATERS.

The Henshaw-T Ten Brock company pre-
scented at the Metropolitan last night a me-
lange Of music and specialties, designated
on the programme as dodge at the French
Ball." Any other title would prove just as
appropriate, for Dodge's visit to the French
ball takes place before the first act and
the audience is Obliged to take Dodge's
word for it that she has been to the ball
The skit is divided into three acts, of which
the second Is by all odds the best, as it
affords the clever members of the company
an opportunity to exhibit their powers of en-
tertainment instead of using them to speak
the fiat and empty lines of the farce itself.
More specialties in the first and last acts
and less dialogue would vastly improve the
performance
Mr.. Henshaw is as breezy and easy as
ever. His funny songs and grotesque dances
contributed largely to the bright features of
the performance. The most amusing spe-
cialty is the minstrel show that Henshaw
and Frank David give in the second act en-
trely unassisted by any other members Of
the company. William Blaisdell's carcature
Of a French waiter was cOm!cal. Edward
Webb possesses a musical tenor voice. which
is heard to good advantage, and Miss Clara
Lavine, in the role of Squeenzie, the French
maid, is a decidedly versatile little woman
musical effort Of the evening was the famous
sextette from Lucia" which, considering it's
vocal requirements, was pretty well in
terpreted. Miss Sophie Witt, a vivacious and
shapely young woman, exhibited terpsichorean
accomplishments Of a spirited and graceful
character in the "Cachuca' dance
''The War Of Wealth." with it's exciting
realism scenic establishment and startling
climaxes, eliminating in the run on the bank
entertained large audience at the Grand
last night. The drama has undergone a few
changes since its production here last sea-
son, which have unquestonably improved it.
The scene representing the run on the
bank shows the exterior of the bank rather
than the interior, a change that affords far
better opportunity for exhibiting the angry
turbulent crowd. and therefore renders the
scene much more effective.
The cast contains scarcely a name that ap-
peared on the programme last season, but
the presentation was fully as satisfactory.
The leading role, that of John Warfeld
the Montana ranchman- whose wicked partner
schemes to ruin him. is entrusted to George
w. Deyo, capable actor, who proved salts
factory. An amusing character sketch was
that Of Maj. Pickney Pointdexter, of Point
dexter hail. Tennessee, contributed by Thorn
as A. Wise, player who can always be re-
lied upon to acquit himself creditaby Cas-
sius. the majors colored servant, impersonat-
ed by Edward P. Mass. was also in great
favor with the audience.
Miss Fanny McIntire's impersonation of the
heroine Helen Raymond. was commendable
in point of the good taste and sympathy ex-
hibited by the actress. The other roles were
acceptably played.
Half King" tMr.a Wilson's new opera
was unquestionably the comic opera success
of the Metropolitan season. Mr.. Wilson first
produced it at the Knickerbocker theater
where its receipts were the largest ever taken
IN by any comic opera in New York in the
same time the original runs of ''Ermin!e"
and The Mikado" not excepted. In the role
OF I1reschappe, mOuntebank, in Half
King, Francis Wilson is said to have the
most agreeable character Of his entire ca
reer. 1t is averred that the part is not only
peculiarly fitted to the comedian, but that
Mr.. Wilson has brought to the role much
spontaneous humor and drollery of decided
originality Friends and admirers Of the COM
edian are enthusiastic over their favorite's
performance of this role, declaring that it is
unquestionably the best thing that he has
ever given to the public in his capacity as
comic operas chief fun-maker
Mr.. Wilson's engagement begins Thursday
night.