The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-01
AT THE THEATERS.


Mansfield is personally identified fails to
arouse an admirng interest Whether the
drama be comic. tragic or merely satric,
trlnlng or serious, it is invariably presented
with such fidelity to truth and nature that
All lts virtues are revealed, for Mr.. Mans
Held art Is of that broad character that
embraces every detail of the production. His
own individual histrionic art is supplemented
by consummate stagecraft and the ability to
airect others so as to constantly preserve
the harmony of the picture and maintain
perfect 5moothness of action
II Inc Devils Disciple" the new drama
by Bernard Shaw. the English dramatist,
winch Mr.. Mansfield presented at the Met
ropohtan last night, is not the strongest in
MS repertoire-and it certainly is MOTT is
one OF the cleverest. 1t is satire, pure and
slmple-and as such it's conspicuous merit
lies rather in the keen and pungent dialogue
thah IN the action. Yet such action as the
pay contains is uncommonly effective
Inc DeVlls Disciple" is a devi-may care
roihchlhg, reckless, daring young snug
gier. Dick Dudgeon is his name The scene
OF action is laid in New Hampshire in 1777.
when 1t was no uncommon thing for the Brit
Ism troops to hang private citizens whom they
designated as rebels. Dick is disguested with
the Furltan1sm and cant Of his hypocritical
ieldtNes, so he proc.ams himself disciple
of the devil
so Tar there is no motive for play But
the dramatist furnishes one in the most
unexpected fashion The old Presbyterian
minister invites Dick to his house to warn
MN Oh his danger of being hanged as a
reDei. Soon after Dick arrives the clergy
man, Mr.. Anderson, is called from home
temporarily. He bids Dick remain and take
'ea' winch Is served by Mr.. Andersons
young ana pretty wife. The clergyman's
"iie aoolnlhates Dick, whom she regards as
pro1ane and unholy scoffer of religion.
AS they sit opposite each other at the tea
taoie' DICK, In his shirt sleeves, for it had
been raining and Mr.. Anderson had insisted
on the removal of his coat a. file of soldiers
enter the room
The officer in charge demands the person ~
the Rev. Mr.. Anderson, who is to he HANGED
as rebel e0u
LICK Dudgeon, seeing that the soldiers mis-
take MIN for the clergyman, does not I'M
deceive them. Impressing upon the voune
wile the absolute necessity of silence on her
part ne dons one Of the minister's coats and
departs, prisoner
Ins is enough to develop a very Interestins
story, and Mr.. Shaw has succeeded admir-.
ably. auiiir-
Inc satire is aimed at excessive Prrit,nisn,
ana, IN good-natured way, at some of the
weaknesses or the British soldiery. Altogetber
Tue wi'liest speeches are those in the council
cnaiiiper scene, where Dick is given a sort
Vi an apology for trial. just before the
moose is slipped around his neck. The al
fusion TO King George III. as a "pig-headed
ola ldlot and Gen. Burgoyne's satiricaI
reference to the atrociousIy bad marksron
ship of the British soldiers. cause mnch
amusement. --s" HS1
The distinctive atmosphere of the nav :,
IN the 1lrst act representing the inferior of
tne WIDOW Dudgeon's house. where the neigh
DOTS apu relatives gather to hear the read
ing Of old Dudgeon's will.
AS Tor MI. Mansfeld's portrayal of Dick
Dudgeon. no more need be said than to
pronounce 1t finished, natural, vital cbarac
teliHation. Artistic IN his makeup, Mr. Mans
lleio was the very embodiment of the un
couth' registering young fellow who hated
hypocrisy ana detested preachers. The swag-
ger1ng walk. the slouchy appearance, the
rough and ready style, were all simulated
with spontaneity that defed detection Of
the mechanism of this actors art.
Inc company rendered most efficient SIM
port Inc role of Judith the minister's
vile, who falls in love with Dick while Under
the belief that her husband has run awav
from her, was impersonated by Miss Carrie
heeler. Miss Keller impaired to the char
acter a tenderness and sympathy quite in
keeping with it.
Ben Johnson's characterization Of the Rev.
Anthony Anderson was likewise received
with much favor. 1t was a dignifed and
vigorous portrayal.
The impersonation of Gen. Burgoyne, by
Arthur Forrest, was a. commendable piece of
character work. and Mr.. Viewers Mai Swim.
don was likewise commercially individual
ized = "
Miss Annie Clarke while effective, was in
clined to be monotonous in the role of the
ur-tempered Widow Dudgeon.
The audience was large and brilliant
Every seat in the auditorium and baIconv
was occupied.
Mr.. Mansfield responded to numerous cur
tain calls. but was deaf to all demands for a.
speech.