The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-16

William H. Crane appeared in a new role
at the Metropolitan opera house last night
new in more senses than one. Heretofore Mr..
Crane has been identified with characters
that appeal to the gayer moods, to the dis
position to be amused, rather than to the
sympathetic side Of our natures. In the role
Of Elisha Cunningham in Martha Morton's
latest creation, "A Fool of Fortune" Mr.
Crane has found a character worthy Of con-
temptation, as a complete human being who
has other missions upon the stage than to
make people laugh. Author and actor in this
instance merit the highest praise, the author
for her keen insight and understanding Of
human nature as displayed in the symmetry
of her creation, and the actor for his fin
ished and artistic portrayal Of that creation.
Elisha Cunningham, in the earlier scenes.
Is successful Wall street broker and spec
ulator-for brokers do sometimes speculate
on their own account. His natural tempera-
ment is that ofa jocose, generous, good-nat-
ured man, devoted to his wife and daughters
though not averse to a French nobleman of
good character for son-in-Iaw. But he is
drawn into one deal too many, by his rash
partner. In the last act he appears as a
ruined man. ruined financially, and physically.
But he still totters around Wall street dab
regularly wiped out'' on every deal 1t is a
pathetic sight to behold him bending over the
ticker, while his trembling fingers nervously
handle the tape that records the fluctuations
of the market. Mr.. Crane excels all previous
hlstrionic achievements in this last act His
makeup alons is extremely effective and
without one exaggerated touch The entire
appearance Of the man tells his story The
ruined Spectator stands before you, not VIM
II. Crane, the actor. Mr.. Crane never so
completely lost his identity before. This is
the unfailing test Of art.
The supporting company gave entire salts
faction, as all Of the characters were ade-
quately represented. That admirable artist
Percy Brooke, impersonated the rash and
nervous partner, Nathaniel Lloyd, with a
ndellty to nature highly to be commended.
1t was a worthy character study Boyd Put
nam is deserving of praise for the vigor and
spirit Of his portrayal of the honest banker
Karl Worresdorf. Edwin Arden's French
count was likewise a pleasing impersonatton
though the foreign accent of the Count de
Cluny does not necessarily suggest a French
man.
The role of Marjorie, the elder daughter of
Elisha Cunningham, is gracefully represented
by Miss Fife Shannon. Miss Dallas Tyler
is refreshingly spontaneous as the younger
sister, and Miss Kate Testers conception of
the character Of Mrs. Cunningham is COM
mendable.
AS for the play, Miss Morton Is to be con-
graduated upon her achievement. She has
written dramas possessing deeper subtlety
more delicate satire and greater originality,
but "A Fool Of Fortune" possesses human
qualities; particularly as exemplified in the
leading role, that promise, it a longer life
than its predecessors.
The troubles of Stanley Dodge from his
Irritation with a stranger form the basis OF
most Of the fun Of 'The Prodigal Father"
the comedy attraction at the Grand. There
is considerable plot to this queer titled skit,
but still the success Of the play is derived
more from the rapidity of its action and
the clever character of its specalties and
musical features than from its dramatic ex-
celence. The only remaining matinee will
be given tomorrow at 2:30.
1t is safe to say the vaudeville has never
been better presented in st. Paul than it will
be the coming week at the Grand opera house.
Manager Lift is sparing no expense to make
this departure q hit Halen and Fuller are
well known to local theater- goers, while other
acts include Stinson and Morton comedy
sketch artists the Carpos Brothers, pedestal
acrobats; comedy by Conroy and Mcdonald.
Phyllis Rankin. styled the American Anna
Held is said to be in every way as attractive
and magnetic as the former mentioned lady,
who has set the entire East ablaze with her
remarkable beauty and shapeiness The pro-
gramme viii also include Duncan, the cele-
brated ventriloquist Mandoa, the noted
equlibrist. Arlene Rumsey will introduce a
novel musical speciality, and Irene Franklin
will be a matinee every day during this en-
gagement and the advance sale of seats in
dicates that the departure Is going to meet
with popular reception at the hands Of local
theater-goers.
At the Metropolitan opera house tonight
William II. Crane will appear in His Wife's
Father" play dealing with the domestic
life of fussy old man. He marries off his
daughter to an estimable young man and
then turns his business over to his son-in-law.
His one idea is to make his daughter thor
oughly happy and he proceeds to take up all
of her time and to run her household af-
fairs. The inevitable outcome Of this Is
trouble and the fond and foolish old father
becomes a worse nuisance than the most
fault-fnding mother-in-law that ever lived.
Mr.. Crane will repeat Ellis Wife's Father" at
the matinee tomorrow afternoon, and will
close his engagement with "a Fool Of For
tune" tomorrow night.
The next attraction booked at the Metropoli-
tan is the eminent actor and comedian, Nat
c. Goodwin, in his new pay, "An American
Citizen"
The Easter concert of the Sebert orchestra
at the Metropolitan opera house next Sunday
afternoon has occasioned a great deal of in
terest amongst all classes of music-lovers in
this city. The programme, which is in part
a request programme, has been arranged
with great care, and includes in the eight
numbers standard classical and popular se-ec-
lions. The vocal number ave Maria" from
'Cavaleria Rusticana," will be a most en-
joyable feature of the entertainment offered
by Mr.. seibert-for this event. The programme
in detail is as follows:
Coronation March, from the opera "Fal-
hunger" .......... .............. .Kretchemer
! Overture "Semramide" .Rossini
SelectiOn-'"Tannhauser' ...... $500. Wagner
"L'InvitatiOn a la Valse'' ........... Weber
Soprano Solo-'Ave Maria" from Cay
alleria Rusticana' ............... Mascagni
Miss Stella Parent
March, from Symphonic "Lenora" .... Raft
Overture Tampa" $500. ............. .Herod
Czardas, from opera "Ritter Passma" Strauss
Vocal number under the direction of Prof
Emil Onet