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

No warmer reception could be asked for
than that which was accorded the Giffen and
Neill stock company, old favorites as they
are, on the opening Of their summer season at
the Metropolitan last evening. Scarcely a
seat in the house was vacant, and the au-
dience comprised the people, to a 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 Belas-
co.'s fine drama. Men and Women" and
it may be suggested that, while it af-
forded the company an ample op-
portun!ty for the display of it's ability, it
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 lack of conf
dence in their lines, which was embarrassing
at times while it detracted somewhat
from the beauty OF an otherwise admirable
One Of the new members of the company.
Robert Drouet. who, while not an utter
stranger in st. Paul, is not so familiar as the
veterans Of the old stock company, promised
last night to become one of it's most popular
members. He was happily cast in the role of
William Prescott, the defaulting cashier, who
is ruined by the suicide of his speculative
agent, if the term happily may be employed
in such connection. In the third act, where
he discloses his guilt finally he showed a
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 an ovation the like of which is rarely
in Do, 1,,1o
ties to the final scene responded to curtain
calls. and then the company; but still the
audience was not satisfied and cIamored for
another appearance of the favorites.
Charles Kent. than whom no man in the
old company was more deseryedly popular,
was cast as Israel Cohen, the bank presi-
dent, and in it showed the same attention to
detail which was always a characteristic of
his work in previous years. Mr. Kent's Cohen
is Characterization which will improve no
doubt as the week goes on as he showed
some embarrassment which marred, in a
measure. his work.
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 a de-
feet in his hearing. He, too, was cordially
welcomed, and he did not prove undeserving of
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 it is earned
Robert Morris Calvin Stedman who as
counsel. is willing to ruin the bank to ruin
his successful rival in love. put in an un-
grateful role a matter-of-fact natlralness
which was entirely to be commended for it's
freedom from the time-worn business of
the STACY" villain, and was worthy ex-
emplifcation of the polished schemer whose
plots are more selfish than criminal
The role of Edward seabury, the assistant
cashier. was entrusted to one of the new
members, Arnold DAILY. In the scene with his
accuser and rival, his impulsive vigor was a
relief from the ponderous dignity with which
some of the other members of the cast were
burdened.
James Neill. on whom devolves the general
direction Of the productions. was warmly
greeted when he appeared in his compare
lively small role Of Lyman Webb, the bank
examiner. William Sampson, new member.
in the role of Col. Kip, shared the comedy
honors with ]. B. Maher, whose Scapegraee
Sam 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, ana oliver Bailey was
cast in the small part Of Anold Kirke ac-
ceptably. 1oj NJ
OF the women of the company, Kate Blancke
as Agnes Rodman, carried off the honors
Her performance added another to the list
of successful impersonations with which she
has entertained st. Paul theater-goers, and
merited the warm reception it was accorded
Miss Mary Hampton, seen here during the
last year with Frohman company, was cast
as Mrs. Dellafeld,f role which permitted the
display of her ability ,as a co1ledienne. but
hardly revealed the breadth Of her histrionic
ability In other lines. She made very pret-
ty, even dashing widow, however. which was
what she was there for in this case.
Anne Blancke was Dora, Prescott's sister.
She was. no doubt, denominated by all the
women in the addienee with the same ad-
jective, "cute." !, There was time. perhaps.
when that may shavef epitomized her work.
That time, however. Is gone. Miss Blancke
appeared to advantage In the more serious
scenes of the evening, as well as in the
lighter, where her sprightliness has never
been questioned That certain portions Of the
audience were more interested in their own
Jokes during the scenes referred to detract-
ed from the enjoyment Of the performance in
no small degree. but that is In no sense
The fault of the company. but Is blamable to
he rudeness of theater-goers who are SO for
-etful of the feelings of others.
ry,.,, Mra prescott deserves