The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-13
Dramatic and Mus,caL
METROPOLITAN.

Three acts Of pure comedy delighted an
audience which witnessed Willie Collier and
his company in 1.-THE Man From Mexico at
the Metro ocfitan opera house last night. The
audience was small. but 1t was thoroughly
appreciative OF the performance, which was
one Of the best so5n In this city this sea-
son. Without an exeept1on all the players
are comedians of the front rank, and they
threw all the humer possible into a play
that has to depend upon no tricks or artifces
to heighten its hunior. Even In the hands
Of poor company 1.-The Man From Mexico"
would be worth seeing, but with Collier in
the title role, and the other members Of the
company as well cast as they are. the play
becomes one Of the best on the stage today.
THE Man From Mexico" has been seen
bsfore in st. Paul and the plot is familiar
to all theatergoers. Benjamin Fitzhugh gets
in scrape with German poet and is SEN
fenced to thirty days in the BlackweIl's ISL
and penttentiary. He tells his wife he is
going to Mexico and goes to jail His re-
turn from Mexico" at the expiration Of
his term. is made the occasion of a great
family demonstration and all is we'll This
slender thread Of the plot gives play for
many possibilities which are worked out by
the author of the comedy and by the players
in mastery manner The strength Of the
play is in the art with which each situation
is worked up and developed without strain.
The most absurd situations are the most
natural and there Is no attempt by any one
in any part of the play to force the humor.
1t bubbles every moment during the per-
formance and the audience is kept in con-
tinual laughter
Willie Collier, as Benjamin Fitzhugh, the
man in trouble, was dry and droll. equal to
every situation and always escaping from
delicate difficulties by the quick exercise of
his gift Of presence Of mind Roderick Ma
jors, the friend, who always gets those he
helps into worse difficulties than they were in,
was naturally impersonated by Adolph Jack
son.
Louise Allen shared honors last night with
Mr.. Collier. Myrtle May and Julia Bachelor.
as Sallie Grace and Nettie Majors, were SO
nearly alike in excellence that 1t is hard to
praise one more than the other Miriam Law
renee, as Miranda, the maid, had a small
part. but it acted with grace, and she
made of 1t all that was possible.
NJ. L. Heckert, as Timothy Cook, the deputy
warden, was typical seuth, and made dis
tinct hit with the audience; and Dan Mason,
as the German poet, Won Bulow Bismarck
Schmidt was excellent. Thomas Evens the
artist-warden; George w Parsons, as Daun-
ton; Louis B. Hall. as Farrar, were each
good in their roles. The other members of
the company were alike excellent
Those who want three hours of hearty
laughter can get it by going to THE Man
From Mexico, up to Wednesday night
GRAND
Hoyt's "A Parlor Match" is so clevery
constructed that it cannot fail to please 1t
must be conceded that Heey made "Old Hoss"
famous as funmaker. yet there are others
wto. while making pretensions to the
mantle of the original .tOd Hoss'' can carry
the part in such a manner to entertain an
audience. Mark Sullivan Is one of that num-
Der. The versatile tramp, assisted by a
clever company. entertained the patrons of
the Grand last evening. Hoyt's best skit Is
of the sort that will stand the test of repeti-
ton. 1t is pleasingiy presented by the COM
pany at the Grand. and the specialties are
new and clever. The Kingsley sisters in
their darkey songs, were repeatedly encored
Tom Brownies whistling has lost none of its
attractiveness, ard his rendition Of Home
Sweet Home" with variations was q hit
of the evening. Walter Wares vocal contri-
button was also sufficiently taking to evoke
double encore. The FILIPINO quartette
made decided hit It's work is new and I'D
to date. Nothing could more clearly demon
strate the war feeling in the country than did
the applause accorded the quartette when
The Star Spangled Banner" was given, with
an addendum complimenting the Minnesota
volunteers. The audience cheered wildly and
refused to subside until the chorus was re-
peated. Miss Eta Buffers mimicry was also
entertaining and clever. She won an encore
and could have had several. OF the play 1t
can only be said that it is an amusing sue
cessicn of mirth provoking absurdties. The
company is well balanced Edith Hoyt as
Innocent Kidd won the audience from the
start Philip H. Ryley makes an excellent
McCorker James T. Gailoway's Capt
Kidd Is clever bit of work. OF the other
members of the company there are none but
clever people who Will assist in entertaining
Grand patrons this week -