The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-24
DRAMATIC.
NIETROpOIJTAN

a comedy of errors that rivals in it's ludt-
crousness the capitalized Comedy OF Err
rors" In which Mr.. Robson made one of his
first great hits. The Medder" (Mr Rob-
SOM is Francis Eli. an artist. whose studio
abounds with bits of pastoral scenery and now
and then rugged, rock-bound coast against
which splashes mighty food. The Med
dler's character is almost AS varied as his
reputed artistic range, save, perhaps, that
repose is not one of his possessions. Robson
does not affect the anguid role; his person Is
Identified with the high strung although con-
summate actor as he is, he is master of that
repose without which his vivaclous comedy
would not be thrown in the high lights which
make it rush to the hearts Of his auditors and
bubble from their lips as mellfuously as 1t
seems to bubble from his own. THE Med
der is hardly a lovable character. Chand-
Ter, in the play. describes him as fam
buoyant jackass," which is opprobrious only
to the quadruped Dramatically, however, he
Is the puerile instrument In entanglng
lot Of people into arrangements and
critical collisions that fill three acts with
excellent comedy situations. The action of
The Meddler' is continuous Mr. Robson
rendition of the title role was excellent At
the close of the second act he was given an
enthusiastic curtain call, to which he re-
sponded with witty speech, or collection of
pons mots, that was only questionable on the
score that the kernels of wisdom were sui
dried.
Theodore Babcock, as Chandler, has a
role scarcely second in Interest to that of
the Meddler. and to have entrusted 1t to
better hands would have been difficult. Mr.
Babcocks work, less known here, perhaps
than 1t is in the East, is refined, rather than
sensational. In this piece he plays reputed
roue, a handsome young fellow about whom
the women seem to think unutterable things
the men unspeakable ones. Mr. Babcock' 8
Chandler does not dispute the justice of the
gossip whispered against him, but by an
airy self-confidence and invariably pleasant
ADDRESS, rather than the boastfulness of the
usual stage Lotharo. rather lends to the
popular impression that he Is a man for
women to beware, for men to envy. Mr. Bah
by the polish he has shown in other roles
that have given him a modest fame He
reads his lines with excellent effect, and re-
slsts any disposition to Overact which might
be expected from less careful artist espe-
c1ally in the third act, where the nonchalant
and unsecured hero of many supposed "af-
fairs" admits falling in love with q pretty
young woman who has little of the worldly,
but much that is lovabe.
Miss Marie Burroughs, as Mrs. Bancroft,
appears in a role that is not as heavy as
nevertheless gives her splendid opportunities
for the display of the real dramatic ability
which she possesses. The victim of the latest
and choicest bit of gossip concerning Chand-
Ter into which she is drawn by the Meddler' -
Miss Burroughs conducts herself through a
series Of exceedingly dramatic situations
without once forgetting the quiet dignity that
is due the society woman Of her station
Miss Burroughs has learned well that true
al
shrug of her shapely shoulders here, the
nervous lingering of fan there, when done
as she does them. convey much more deli
cately the emotions she is presumed to feel
than loud mouthings.
Mrs. Robson's role. Mrs. Porter, betrothed
to 1.-The Meddler,'" is a disappointment Not
that it is not well done, but that there ia so
little of it,
Miss Maud Granger gives a very clever
bit in the comparatively small part Of Mrs.
Olipbant, and Miss Gertrude Perry is a
sweet Bessie. Apparently much younger
than her stage associates, this young woman
gives evidence of not little inherent abiI-
ity, as we'll as a praiseworthy disposition to
let every line entrusted to her tell its story
as we'll as it may, but not to omit the deli
cate standings of art. There are few in
genues to whom Miss Perry need do homage.
Frank C. Bangs in Capt. Oliphant, has
Alabama" role, which Is done with the
fidelity which has made his name dramatic
tradition of the most tender memories
Harold Russell. a local favorite always, is
Mr.. Bancroft. Mr.. Russell's characterization
of this me-curial, jealous. and not always
amiable, parsonage, is everywhere animated
by a most consistent harmony. Mr.. Rus
sells mobile face. not less than his excel
lent stage presence, helps to make this role
George Pauncefort. Mr.. Shirlaw. the
novelist, has duties less exacting hstrion-
ically. it might be imagined. than as stage
manager. For both he deserves not little
credit. His performance is acceptable, and
the smoothness of the ensemble unimpeach-
able.
THE Meddler' fills out the week
GRAND.
Robert B. Mantell and his company last
evening produced "Othello" at the Grand in
manner that surprised those who thought
the great tragedians were all dead. For as
the Moor Mr.. Mantel proved himself
Shakespearean actor of the first rank. In
many scores and passages he rose equal to
any who have gone before him; and as Des-
demona Miss Corona Ricardo added to the
reputation she has made as a natural grace
full and accomplished actress.
A more finished production than that Of
last night was rarely given in this city,
Throughout the five acts of the gloomy traS-
edy there was not an incident to mar an
effect or detract from the picturesuueness Of
a scene, and this augmented the pleasure Of
the spectators.
Mr.. Mantell may be called a great Othello
needing but few touches here and there
TO mellow his performance and make it even
He possesses presence, voice and ar, but there
were few passages last night which would
have been more effective had he not allowed
hmselt TO drop into slight rant. But
these biemishes were SO few and far between
that it seems ungracous to cab attention to
them
The Moor is creature of passion, and Man
tells portrayal of him realizes the ideal of
Snakespeare's readers. The varying emotions
| of love, tenderness, SUSPICION doubt, con-
viction and murder were superbly expressed
by him, not only in speech and gesture, but
in voice. of which Mantell has a complete
mastery. Nothing could have been more
thrilling than his dying whisper spoken in
dead Desdemona's ear.
Of Desdemona. as impersonated by Miss
Ricardo, it may be said that there seldom
has been given more natural portrayal Of
that character Her elocution was perfect
and she heightened every effect by her sim
plicty.
The murder scene in the last act is ONE that
may be ruined by overacting but last night
it was enacted with hideOus smoothness. and
yet without a suggestion of exaggeration The
audience was awed into perfect silence. which
was not broken until the curtain fell. when
storm of cheers attested the appreciation of
the spectators.
1t Is not Louden McCormack's fault that he
is not great Iago. yet it would be fattery