The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-30

The NELL stock company, n two de-
lghtful comedies, played to big business
at the Metropolitan opera house last
week, pleasing old friends and winning
new ones by the splendid performances
OF The Butterflies and Nancy & Co. -
ooth comedies were given In that per-
Ie' tlon and with the completeness of de-
tall characteristic of all the Neill pro-
auctions, and the audiences throughout
the week We're large and more than or
oIharlly apprectattve Light comedy Of
this class is most popular during the
warm summer months, and Mr.. Neill is
wise In his general ton in giving play-goers
Just exactly what they want; careful
study of public taste and a constant eff
Tort to crafty it are elements that have
contributed largely to the continued sue
cess OF the Nein stock company.
For the coming week the Neills will
oIrer TWO of the best known and most
popular comedies in their repertory.
sweet Lavender must be regarded as
| one or the most successful as we'll as the
most popular of Pinero's works; its rep
reservations may be numbered by the
thousand, and its popularity has extended
| over many latitudes. The gentle human
| ity and genial humor OF the play, and
| the loVable creation of the good-hearted,
weak-natured. down-at-the-heel Dick
Phenyl appeal to the hearts of young
and old. The very simplicity and unpre-
| tentiousness of this domestic comedy dis
arm even those cynical critics WHO look
for stern realism even in the most pur-
| posely genial of theatrical entertain
| ments; and if these critics. in view of the
abundance of kindly human nature in the
play, choose to regard Sweet Lavender
as a sort of modern fairy-tale, neither
author, actor nor audience will be dis
posed to disagree with them.
For the latter part of the week, COM
mencing Thursday evening, the NeilIs
will present the four-act society play,
Lady Wtndermeres Fan" The Incl
dents of this story happen within the
space of day, the opening scene being
laid In parlor of Lord Windermeres
London residence at o'clock in the af-
ternoon, and the close in the same room
at II next morning. But much may hap
pen within a night, and great deal oc-
ours to the people in the play during the
period mentioned. 1t has been a number
OF years since Lady Windermere's Fam
has been produced in this city, so that the
play VIII be comparatively new to the
majority of our local theater-goers. The
| NELL company appears to excellent ad-
vantage in this play.
| MIR. Benjamin Howard formerly leading
man of the well-known Salisbury stock
company, of Milwaukee, has Joined the
Neil company and will appear in both
plays during the coming week
| FOOTLIGHT AND FOYER
| resident Manager HAYS of the Grand
| is IN receipt Of breezy letter from 10
| seph Hart, the well-known comedian.
written from Paris. Mr. Hart, accompa-
nleo by his wire, Carrie De Mar has been
on short European trip in search of
novelties for next season. Mr. Hart and
MS wife will head, under Mr. Hart's
management, one of the strongest yaude-
! vile attractions that will go out next sea-
son He has already, engaged some Of
the top-liners" of the profession. and
his salary list, 1t is said, will exceed that
OF any other travelling organization
Robert Mantell will produce a new ro-
mantle play. next season. 1t is reported
| that the past year was for him one of
! the NEST successful he has ever enjoyed
| In addition to the new play he will con-
tinue to present q repertoire of Shakes
| pearian and romantic dramas
Manager Jacob Lift. for his big scenic
production Of Shenandoah" has en-