The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-09-12
Dramatic and Musical
METROPOLITAN.

Ihe metropolitan, in an elaborate presentation
OF Sir Charles Youngs great drama, Jim
the Penman," was greeted by an appreclative
audience. The attendance gave evidence Of
the popularity Of this sterling company.
1t was the largest that has assembled in
the Metropolitan on a, first evening of the
week during the present season.
Inc company is, without question the
strongest Of its class in the Northwest, and
equal to any stock company East or West.
Herschel Mayall carried the leading role
artistically and effectively. His presentation
OF the character was strong-just strong
enough-not overdone, the death scene,
which closes the tragic drama being a most
realistic piece of work.
James Neill makes capital Capt Redwood
who, as a sleuth, would do credit to that
fraternity in any country.
Edythe Chapman's Nina Ralston was
strong, and I'D to the standard Of the ex-
cellent company of which she forms so
prominent a part
Joseph B. Everham's Baron HEARTFELT pleas
ed the audience, as did the Agnes Ralston of
Miss Mary Moore. Lord Drelincou-t of Rob-
ert Morris. Jack Ralston Of George Bloom
quist, and Louis Percival of Charles Wynn
gate
The other members of the company Gid
not have SO much to do, but what they did
was we'll done. Agnes Maynard, as Lady
Dunscombe; Angela Dolores, as Mrs. Chap
stone; Fred Wallace, as Mr.. Chapstone; AL
len Patton Mr.. Netherby, NJ. P, and Ed
L. Brent, the servant, filling out the pre-
sentation Of drama that carries with it a
moral lesson.
GRAND.
1t is difficult for many who attended the
Grand last evening to realize that Hermann,
the famous magician, was dead, for a sue
cessor, who only lacks age and height to be
his counterpart, stepped upon the stage, and,
with the assistance of Adelaide Hermann
the widow of the greater prestidgitator, enter
tanned a large audience with clever tricks ard
illusions. A few Of his acts were strongly
reminiscent of the elder Hermann, but for
the most part they were new and of his own
device. Mrs. Hermann, too, has emery ID
from the position Of a mere assistant, and
appears as female prestidgitator. the first
of her sex to take up that difficult art That
she will be successful In her new role was
demonstrated last night. Mrs. Hermann has
also added number of new dances to her
repertoire some of which are startling nov
elites.
1t is unfortunate that Mr.. Hermann is not
familiar with the English language, for his
performance seems to lack that snap which
a clever patter imparts to a performance of
that character. But, for one who speaks
little, he gets along remarkably we'll. The
performance opened with Herrmanns Salon
des Enchantments, in the course Of which he
performed g. number of extremely clever
tricks. Some CT them were similar to those
of his famous uncle, but most of them were
new. A ring trick served to mystify the
audience completely Tricks with handker-
chiefs, clocks, watches, rabbits and hats fol-
lowed rapidly upon one another, and for
more than half an hour he kept the audience
orIV hNcf oil,
Maid Of the Moon" in which Miss Dot Rob-
inson danced, walked and capered In the air
without any visible means OK support
Mrs. Hermann occupied the stage during
the second part and gave her new inven-
ton LA Femme Chameleon" In this act
she appears on a darkened stage, upcn which
is directed a beam Of light which Is throwl
upon her as she stands behind back screen
The screen opens and reveals her in costumes
representing successfully different n~ticnal
dresses OF ancient and modern times. The
color effect is very beautiful, and Mrs. Herr
mann was loudly applauded at the close.
The decapltation act of Hermann the Great
is performed by Mr.. Hermann in a scme-
what different manner than formerly. He is
assisted by William e. Robinson, WHO IS the
patiert, ard a skeleton, besides q number Of
skulls and crosSbones. The patient has a
headache, and Hermann, who plays Dr.
Sever, prescribes decapitation as the only
remedy. He places a huge headpiece over
him and cuts of his head. AS he dces so
he is discovered, and, fearing punishment, he
falls dead on the stage.
Mrs. Hermann next appears a dancer
the "Black Butterfly" and LA Satanesque"
being the titles of her performances in this
part. Her dress measures thirty-six feet from
tip to tip, and she manipulates it with al
easy grace. AS she dances, vari-colored lights
are thrown upon the stage, and her dress
changes color at every step. Her perform 3nco
concludes with a fire dance She seems wrap
ped in flames, and finally, as the dress seems
to have been completely burned, the dancer
disappears with the last flicker Of fire. as
though she had been consumed with the
dress.
"a Night in Japan" is the title Of the last
act 1t Is in this act that Mrs. Hermann APP
pears as q magician, and her perfof m INC 2
last night showed that she Is an adept at
the art The Herrmanns were assisted in this
act by Miss Dot Robinson and Miss Adele
Dewey, who performed the trunk trick VIII ch
Hermann the elder invented. One Of the
young ladies' is tied in sack and placed In
a trunk which Is placed in another trunk,
after being securely strapped. The second
woman sits upon the second trunk, curtain
Is drawn around the trunk, but in a moment
is removed, disclosing the first young woman
standing beside the trunk while the second
one has disappeared. The large trunk Is
opened, the strapped trunk Is lifted out ana
placed on the stage, and the second woman
emerges from 1t, tied in the sack in which
the first one was imprisoned.
During an intermission Prof. Rene rettI
musical director for the company, performed
on the violin Bohemian Souvenirs" and a
Russian dance which was highly apprtc iatsd
by the audience