The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-20
MUSIC AND THE STAGE.
METROPOLITAN.

ME-
"a Bachelors Romance is a type Of
class Of plays which never lose their in
terest. The underlying motif is simple
and attractive, a young girls fresh, ar
dent love, and the characters are for the
most part drawn from familiar circles in
real. practical everyday life. 1t was pre-
sented last night by the Neill company at
the Metropolitan to a good-sized audience.
The play is not new one to st. Paul
audiences, and was presented here some
years ago by Sol Smith Russell The
NeiH company handled Il acceptably, and
gave 1t strong presentation, though
there were incidents to the first night of
an engagement which, in few minor
particulars, detracted from its force. AS
given last night, its most attractive and
forceful role was undoubtedly that of
Sylvia, by Miss Dean. She was supported
by James Neill, whose David Holmes had
much Of beauty in it. These two char
acters might well carry the whole story
without aid, since the principal events
center around them. The awakening of
literary fossil, possessed of fame, ability
and learning, to the real value of O. life
OF love was we'll drawn and pleasing Mr..
NELL lacked somewhat in the fullest COM
prehension of the possibilities of his role,
| but rendered 1t with undeniable sincerity
Miss Dean was extremely natural and I'M
| affected, and scored a success.
MISS Andrews, cast in the minor role OF
| Miss Clementina, a SpinSter, was excel
| lent Her directness, energy and spirit
| made a delicate bit of comedy Of what
might have been an exceedingly dreary
| character. Emmett ShackIeford, as Mar
tin Begg, was acceptable, and in many
| places exceedingly good. Miss Chapman
| appeared as Helen LIE Grand, and Miss
| Lamk1n as Harriet Leicester. George
Bloomquist, as Savage, budding genius,
| and John Burton, as Mr.. Mulberry, a
| book worm, filled minor roles to advan-
tage Robert Morris presented the char;
| acter Of Gerald Holmes in a pleasing
| manner, falling more into the spirit Of
! his character as the action progressed.
GRAND.
| Hotel Topsy Turvy' turned the Grand
opera house upside down with merriment
| last evening, when it was presented be-
fore one Of the largest audiences ever
seen within the theater. The piece is
| brim full Of good things, and from the
| rise Of the curtain until the last act there
| was not moment of ennui. The music
| is bright, sparkling at times, the singing
| excellent and the chorus we'll trained
| while the cast Is made up of stars from
| the theatrical armament. chosen for their
particular adaptability to the burletta.
| The scenery is in keeping with the gen
| eral excellence and the costuming arts
| tic. Some Of the best specialties of the
season are presented during the perform
! ance
To Eddie Foy, who has always been
| popular with local theatergoers, was ac-
| corded hearty reception. He could not
help being funny anywhere and conse-
quently as ,Lebeau. the leading come
dian in Hotel Topsy Turvy," where
there is such abundant scope for his tai
ents, he is the life of the piece. His COM
| edy does not pail. Breezy as ever, his
every antic is provocative of laughter and
| his lines, rendered after his own dis
tinctive manner, bring down the house
Miss Josie De Witt, typical Of blonde
| loneliness, as Flora, shares the honors
| herself most successfully, adding to her
| stunning presence with a delightful
| charm of manner. In the second act Miss
| De Witt renders several difficult violin
| numbers with ARTISTIC effect
Miss BERTHE Fowler, as Marietta,
| servant, adds much to the merriment Of
the production. Her acting is some
| thing new, and decidedly funny. Her as
| sumed awkwardness, in a ludicrous make
| up, is a signal for laughter at every
! movement. Her monologue speciality and
| representations proved one of the hits Of
| the performance. Philip H. Ryley, in one
| Of the lesser comedy parts, accepts every
opportunity offered him and helps the
fun along cleverly. Amelia Clover
dancing is a feature of the first act.
The plot of the production is left large
| ly to the imagination Of the audience.
| The hotel is typif1ed, there are numerous
| guests and help, who assist in weaving
a series of entanglements that are grad
ually Strengthened out through the piece
in unexpected and comical ways. There
is a strong tinge of comic opera about
| the performance, with music and singing
predominating throughout.
The second act is largely devoted to
specialties. The Florence troupe Of
acrobats-Latour, Fanchennette, Graceux
and Annette-furnish the premier attrac-
ton. Their feats are many of them new,
all difficult and executed with remarka-
| BILE grace and agility. Other clever
| specialties are presented.
| "Hotel Topsy Turvy' will be seen at
the Grand the remainder of the week,
| with the usual matinees.
1--WE Uns of Tennessee is to be pre-
scented at the Grand next week.