The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-06


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The past week at the Metropolitan
opera house witnessed the greatest tri-
umph scored by any stock company in
the theatrical history of st. Paul; the
Neill company has always enjoyed the
favor of our play-goers to an extent I'M
known to other theatrical organizations,
but never before has their popularity
been demonstrated so conclusively as
during the week just closed. The bill
Tor the first part of the week was Pr
nero's dainty comedy, Sweet Lavender"
the favorite of all the plays in the NeilI
repertory, as indicated by the vote taken
during the company's previous engage
ment at the Metropolitan this season;
1t packed the house at every perform
ance, turned hundreds away from the
matinees, and would have played to big
business for the entire week.
For the coming week, commencing to-
night two strong bills will be offered,
"A Bachelors Romance for the first
half, and Lord Chumley" for the latter
part Of the week. Both these plays have
been previously announced for produce
ton earlier in the engagement, but ow-
ing to Mr.. NeilTs Illness it was neces-
sarily postponed; Mr.. Neill has fully re-
covered from his attack of fever and
VIII appear in both plays this week
"A Bachelors Romance is a romantic
comedy-drama of four acts, by Martha
Morton, one OF Americas best known
dramatic authors; 1t is a delightful love
story of the present day, the scene is
laid in New York city, and the charac-
tiers are well-known types of the people
OF the metropolis. This play was pre-
sented by Sol Smith Russell in this CITY
some two years ago, and as produceH
by the famous comedian was a big sue
cess. The Neil production follows very
closely that of Mr.. Russell and will be
splendldly mounted and costumed, with
all the accessories necessary to insure a
complete and perfect presentation.
Lord Chumley," the bill for the latter
part OF the week, was one of the greatest
comedy successes of the famous actor
MI e. ii. Sothern; 1t is many years since
the play has been seen here, but it is still
remembered by many of the play goers
as one Of the best examples of the modern
school Of light comedy. In the title role
Mr. Nell has part that is an especial
IaVorite with him, and the entire com
pany is seen to excellent advantage in this
production. The scenery for both PLAYS
this week Is elaborate and tasteful the
costumes artistic and beautiful. and the
indications are that the week will be the
most successful of the engagement
The greatest musical sensation of the
theatrical season of 1889 was the an
pearance in this city of the Banda Rosa.
the famous Red Band of Italy. When the
announcement was first made that this
organization would play in two concerts
at the Metropolitan the news was receiy-
ed with the most apathetic Indifference.
The management of the theater endeav-
ored In every way to convince the people
of this city that this band was superior
to all other bands which had been heard
here, but whenever this statement was
made 1t was received with the placid I'M
belief characteristic of our local public
when new attraction of any kind is
promised. When, however the band ar
rived in this city, they scored hit great
er than anything of the kind ever known
here; they played to a crowded house at
a special matinee concert, and after they
had left hundreds of requests were re-
ceived by Mr.. Scott to secure a return
engagement. The Banda Rosa has been
for the week of Aug. q.
On June 9, of this year, the last great
pugilistic battle of the century was
fought, when James Jeffries and Robert
FitZsimmons met at the ConeY Island
Athletic club to battle for the champion
ship of the world The contest was the
cleanest, most scientific and hardest
fought in the history Of the fistic arena,
and the event aroused intense interest
throughout the entire civilized world.
Here in st. Paul on that evening thou
sands of people gathered at the differ
ent places which received the telegraphic
reports of the battle, and as the returns
showed one or the other Of the gladiatOrs
gaining the advantage, the cheers of their
adherents could be heard for blocks.
Over nine thousand people paid from So
to $40 each to witness this contest at the
ringside. These pictures will be seen at
the Metropolitan opera house in this city
during the entire week commencing Sum
day, Aug. ID.
The stage of the Grand opera house
presents a busy sight nowadays. Under
the direction Of Stage Manager Frank
Nelson almost an army of workmen are
employed in tearing up the old stage
floor, preparing for the new, whitewash-
ing the terrific heighth Of walls and other
wise making ready the stage for its early
opening Manager Lift has been most
happy in the selection of the opening at
traction, the announcement of which will
be most welcome to theater-goers, mas
much as it will present that duo of popu-
lar comedians, Mathews and Bulger, in
either q new comedy or an up-to-date
version of that successful comedy, by
the Sad Sea Waves" Mathews and Bull
ger will bring to the city the same
strength of cast, scenic magnificence and
detail that was marked of the New York
production of the comedy, and will of
course provide an entirely new supply of
their famous jokes, witticisms and COM
edy hits.
shenandoah" admittedly the greatest
Of all war plays, is underlined for an
early appearance at the Grand in the
fall. This attraction, under the direction
Of Mr.. Jacob Lift, created furore
throughout the country last season and
made for this astute manager a great |
deal Of money. For this seasons produc- |
ton he has provided a new superb scenic |
equipment, being in fact the entire pro-
duction that was offered at the Broad
way theater last spring. The company
will be made up of excellent players and |
will include as a special feature band of
rough riders The equipment for "Shen-
andoah,'' as regards scenery, horses war