The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-20
AT THE THEATERS.

Willie Collier in 1.-THE Man From Mexico
Is uniquely, Enthusiastically and originally
funny. Those who witnessed his performance
at the Metropolitan last night cannot gainsay
that 1t is the lot Of some comic geniuses,
even though they have earned prominence and
draw largo salaries, not to win the unanimous
verdict that they are funny. There are people
who cannot laugh at De Wolf Hopper. and
others who decline to be amused by Francis
Wilson, but there would seem to be no differ
ence of opinion regarding Collier. The only
distinction noted last night was that some OF
the audience laughed louder than others. II
anybody tried to keep a straight face, he GER
tainly failed.
1.-The Man From Mexico is one OF those
farcical creations with no design in the world
except to provoke the rislbllites Mr.. Collier
would appear to have been constructed with
the same purpose in view. His propensiues
for wit are not located, as in some comedians,
In his feet and legs. His humor is not Of the
acrobatio flavor. His jests are not empha-
sized with welt OF the bass drum or flash
of tho calcium. They reach the spot without
any other aid than the quiet droll. expressive
manner and voice Of the comedian. Mr..
Collier is nothing If not original. His funni-
est sayings and doings are the most spontane-
Gus Of all. He betrays none OF that effort to
score points" which robs witticisms OF half
their effect In other words, Mr.. Collier
doesn't ever seem to know that he has said
anything funny. 1t Is the too apparent con-
seriousness OF having perpetrated good Joke
that often spons it. In view Of the fact that
Mr.. Collier is obliged to repeat his night
after night 1t Is a compliment to his art that
he can deliver them so effectively and yet so
innocently.
The vehicle provided for Mr.. Collier by II.
A. Du Souchet, who, it is announced. adapted
it from the French. is a Smooth running
affair that never stops for lack OF lubH-
cation or want of repairs. 1t is as full OF
laughable absurditles, surprises and clever
Conversation" as a merry-go round on tho
Fourth OF July. The second act. which
transpires in the warden's Office at the Black
wells island penitentiary, is replete with
novel farce-conedy situations and witty dia-
logue. Collier In convict's garb, with
loaf Of bread under his arm. tin cup in
his hand. and eyeglasses perched on his
nose, all the while doing the lock step, is
an irresistible combination.
What are you dolng?" shouts the warden.
a gentleman with a Lemon-faced yisage.
Doing time" responds Collier
Somebody asks Collier. who Is known In
prison as No. II. when he expects to leave
the place. and he answers:
I'm going to stay here till my number
comes out. That's policy
The company surrounding Mr.. Collier is
entirely adequate to the demands OF the
farce Dan Mason, the well known Dutch
comedian, makes the most of Won BuloW
Bismarck Schmidt who is very much the
victim of untoward circumstances.
The advent Of BLACK PATHS Troubadours'
drew a large audience to the Grand opera
house last night, for local theater-goers had
not forgotten the excellent entertainment
afforded by this aggregation at the same
theater last season. The people have linger-
ing memories for these good shows that so
resemble angels visits.
Not only was there no suspicion OF dis
appointment IN store for the patrons OF the
Grand last night, but It can be truthfully
announced that the performance excelled
that Of last year IN point OF variety and
cleverness New specialties have been intro
duced in place of old ones, the additions
to the company have, for the most part, i'm
proved 1t. and the cake walk-wel. nothing
like it was ever seen in these parts before.
1t is no exaggeration to say that the
house fairly rose at it, Talk about excite
ment running high" 1t absolutely boiled
over when the two winning couples walked
off a tie-for the applause Of the audience,
which was the thermometer agreed upon to
test the hottest couple" was so loud that
the Judges couldn't tell which couple had
won the cake.
Black Patti was in splendid voice. and de-
lighted all with her admirable singing. She
sang "The Enchantress," Arditi's melodious
aria expressively, and received an cnthu-
siastic encore. In the finale, which IS APPLY
designated as the operate Kaleidoscope
she sang that inspiring martial song Tho
Sabre" from The Grand Duchess" with
good effect This closing feature OF the
show is in every way commeudable, inter-
preting, as It does, worthy music in a worthy
manner The ensemble singing Of the in
termezzo from "Cavalleria Rustlcana." and
the Kirmesse chorus from Faust" was most
creditable. The finest concerted effort OF
the evening was the singing of the immor-
tai sextette from Lucia" by Black Patti,
Alice Mackey, and Messrs. Moore, Byrd,
Burris and Pierce. Miss Mackey possesses
a rich mellow contralto, which was heard
to excellent advantage in the opening skit,
when she contributed two solos. c. L. Moore
is also to be commended for his expressive
singing of 1.-The Heart Bowed Down"
The men Of this organization are frequently
In evidence throughout The most consplcu-
Gus, perhaps is Ernest Hogan, who is the
composer and author Of such popular dit
ties as IAN Coons Look Alike to Ne, Pas
Ma La" Honey, You Made a Hit With
Me" and the like. Mr.. Hogan entertained
the audience vastly interpreting his own
creations in a decidedly characteristic style
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