The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-03
At THE THEATERS.

Fanny Davenport VIII commence IN en-
gagement Of three nights and Saturday mat
inee at the Metropolitan next Thursday night.
La Tosca" will be the attraction on the
opening night, and on Friday and Saturday
nights and at the Saturday matinee we shall
witness for the first time here Sardou's latest
successful drama, "Gismonda," the scene
of which is laid in Athens under the Floren
tine rule. which affords splendid opportunity
to the scene painter and costumer. The
most seems to have been made by both OF
the medieval luxury in its perfect flower,
with the ruins of classic grandeur. The
costumes, which are rich and expensive, blend
the Florentine design with the Oriental. These
are all, with the exception of Miss Davenport's
gorgeous dresses, copies Of those used in the
same play at the Renaissance In Paris. The
robes Of the star are said to be uncommonly
expensive and beautiful and tasteful as WELL
The Ave scenes were designed and painted
by Glare. Dodge, Marsten. Emmons and AL
bert. respectively. the assignment to the
last-named being an imposing church in
terror in which the catastrophe Of the drama
is reached. The pictures are all handsome
and impressive, and every detail Of the pro-
ducti0n-the nice scenes OF artistic effect
shown in the arrangement of a bit Of drapefy
here and there; the grouping Of the super
numeraries and the by.play; the light eff
fects and the incidental music, both pastoral
and religious, indicate the predominating in
| 1uence Of an alert and progressive mind
Fanny Davenport is not only a vigorous. ex-
perienced and ambitious actress, but she is
also one of the best producers Of plays in
the world, and the only one we have at pres
ent In America. "Gismonda" Is the most
magnificent stage production known. one that
every play-goer in st. Paul will hasten to
The sale n and hOyas will
this morning.
Easily the best vaudeville entertainment Of
the series was presented at the Grand opera
house last night. Not single effort to en-
terrain the large audience failed which is
good record for vaudeville show. The
demands for more that followed the con-
clusion Of nearly every act furnished the
most convincing testimony of the general
approval of the people.
The programme as usual contained ten
numbers, the orchestra contributing two.
After the overture, T. Nelson Downs, desig-
mated on the bill as the liking of koins" ex-
hibited his dexterity in >palming half dollars
He picked them out of the air, passed them
| through his anatomy and conjured them from
the hats and programmes of gentlemen in
the audience by the handful, notwithstanding
the supposed scarcity of the article. Reno
and Richards followed with a display Of
tumbling, clever and comic, that met with
instant favor. Their act is exceptionally clev-
er and amusing.
When Card No. was hung out, and little
Irene Franklin tripped out from the WINGS
hearty round Of applause greeted the petite
soubrette and mimic who scored the hit Of
the first weeks vaudeville. Miss Franklin
sang two new songs in her unique STYLE told
the dialect story about the Irishman, English
man, Scotchman and three other representa-
tives Of European nationalities, extolling their
national flower and sang her trademark"
Keep Those Golden Gates Wide Open, !"
much to the delight Of the audience. She was
applauded to the echo.
Felix and Cain were down for the next
act, which proved to be an exceedingly clever
and novel variation Of the old-time speciality
''silence and fun, on the part OF Mr.. Felix.
Mr.. Cain. the partner Of Mr.. Felix. did not
appear. The gentleman who filled his place
at short notice cannot fairly be criticised.
Eugene, O'Rourke. Of Wicklow Postman"
fame. and Ada Dare presented sketch en-
titled After the Masque Ball. which de-
veloped some original and interesting situa-
lions. The act was favorably received as it
deserved to be.
That exceedingly clever minstrel. Willis P.
oWSSltfdII, CACAtSV Iuo VI IiA0 duoA-
ence before he had finished the first SEN
tence of his monologue, and the laughter
| never ceased until he had finished. Mr..
Sweatnam's specialttes are invariably free
from the slightest suggestion of coarseness,
| and full Of innocent merriment." In re-
| Spouse to his final encore, he sang that unique
negro melody Louisiana LOU"
Mary Marble, whom the bill aptly styles
LA Petite Comedienne,' appeared as a
chappie in various dudish attires, all Of
the latest fashions, and sang appropriate
ditties in q dashing style, and with mas
culine flourish quite in keeping with the
characters assumed.
The programme closed with commendable
exhibition of fourteen living pictures. Those
representing 'sLorelel, ~ Natures Mirror"
and ga Daughter of Neptune" were especially
artistic in pose and color.