The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-18
AT THE .IHEATERs.

No warmer reception could be asked for
| than that which was accorded the Giffen and
Nefll stock company. old favorites as they
are. on the opening Of their summer season at
the Metropolitan ~ last evening. Scarcely
seat in the houseowas vacant. and the au-
! dience comprised the people, to great ex-
| tent. who cherished pleasant recollections of
| the previous visit Of the company, which they
| were not slow to attest upon the appearance
of the familiar faces on the stage.
| The opening bill was De Mile and Delas-
cos fine drama. men and Women" and
it may be suggested that, while it af-
forded the company an ample OPP
portun:ty for the display Of its ability. 1t
did not fully bring out the qualities Of some
of the members Of the cast.
Some of the members Of the company were
handicapped, seemingly, by a lack of, conf
dence In their lines,a which was embarrassing
at tines while it .detracted somewhat
from the beauty of IN ottnerwtzs admirable a m s
One of the new members Of the company.
Robert Drouet: who, while not an utter
stranger n st. Paul. is not SO familiar as The
veterans Of the old stock company, promised
last night to become one Of its most popular
members. He was happily cast In the role of
William Prescott. the defaulting cashier, who
agent, If the term happily may be employed
in such connection. In the third act, where
he discloses his guilt finally. he showed
depth Of study and earnestness that won for
him no small degree OF favor, and it was no
doubt due as much to the conscientious work
of the actor as to the artifce of the dramatist
that the climax Of that scene was rewarded
by ovation the like of which is rarely
seen in st. Paul playhouse. Twice the par
ties to the final scene responded to curtain
calls. and then the company; but still the
audience was not satisfied and clamored for
another appearance Of the favorites.
Charles Kent. than whom no man in the
old company was more deservedly popular,
was cast as Israel Cohen. the bank presi-
dent. and in 1t showed the same attention to
detail which was always a characteristic of
his work in previous. years. Mr.. Kents Cohen
is a characterization which will improve no
doubt. as the week goes on, as he showed
some embarrassment which marred. In a
measure. his work. 4
William F.. Owen, recently here with the
Prisoner of Zenda." did some of his excellent
character work in Mr.. Pendleton, the director
of the bank with money to burn and de-
feet in his hearing. He, too was cordially
welcomed. and he did not prove undeserving Of
apprec.ative remembrance. To say that his
presence was not less pleasing than the mem
ory of him which comes with the reading Of
his letter at the end Of the last act Is trib-
ute not less enviable than 1t is earned
connse, :. n,,,ina "a rm,n oan, .eo has,. wno as
his snccesss,,, r;.,o, IN love ~. uaIn -, ~ ulh
grateful rola q matter-otSfsct na.,aa,nau. 80 ~
which was entirely to sbe commerde5 Co. ,.s
freedom .e from tho tin,e.,vor- h,,s...o ~ 10 80
the STACY. villain and was . wortbv .v W
emnl,Acation os the nnNeshed scbo,,ar ,,h,a.
nlots are more selfish tha, ,.r,nfn.I
Tho ro,a 1T Edward .seahu,v 49, ,,...
| cashier was entrusted to ono ~ tha aa-. .ns
! members Arnold Daly.a n. the scena With h,s
accuser and rival his. .impulsiye yiror was a
reref from the ponderous dignity with which VIII
| some OF the other members Of the cast were
burdened.
James Neill. on whom deyolyes the genera,
direction of the productions. was. warmly
greeted when he appeared in his comnara.
lively small role OF Lyman Webb the bank
| examiner. William Sampson. a new member
! in the role of Col, KIP, shared the comedy
| honors with j. B. Maher, whose Scapeerace
Sam was a vehicle for the display Of the
mirth- provoking faculties he has so often re-
galed ST. Paul audiences with.
James E. Wilson made favorable impress
sion as Gov Rodman. and Oliver Bailey was
cast in the small part, of Anold Kirke ac-
|