The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-24
DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL.
METROPOLITAN.

HI Henry's minstrels opened at the
metropolitan last evening to fair-sized
audience. The frst-part scene introduced
the company on the forward deck Of the
n ma, BROOKLYN. attired in the regula-
uon man-o war costumes. All but the
end men were in white face and the solo
singing OF George M. Decker. Oscar
Michaels and j. Marian Melvian, together
with the double quartette. was the fea-
ture.
Robert Teal. Frank B. Morton and Dan
Altman sang coon" songs and told new
jokes In a manner that pleased the audi
ence.
Ill Henry was heard to advantage in
several cornet solos. assisted by mill
tary band of thirty pieces, which Is q
splendid musical aggregation.
The vaudeville part Of the programme
gave Baker and Teal an opportunity to
introduce some clever specialties in the
lesque cake walk. Dan Altman was fun
ny in monologue,. and the Couture
brothers made a hit with their tumbling
and contortion act. In fact they do one
OF the cleverest turns seen In st. Paul
In long time. On the whole the show is
good.
There will be a change Of programme
Wednesday matinee
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Of
next week Otis Skinner brings his COM
pany to the Metropolitan, presenting Car
son and Parker's comedy Of Rosemary
Dr. Watson Oan Maclaren), author and
lecturer. will deliver one of his lectures
afternoon, May 5. his subject being 1.-THE
Heroism Of the Scot"
% GRAND.
The production of "a Royal Prisoner"
at the Grand last evening, with Mr.. True
s. James in the title role. was a disap-
pointment.
The production Is billed as a romantic
drama. and might possibly be such but
for the farce-comedy proclivities of the
star and some of the cast Just why
gay, debonair, adventurous character, as
Mr.. James is supposed to present In the
role Of Alexis Razoumovsk1, should be dis
torted into a comedy part does not appear
from the sentiment of the play. Only In
the last act does Mr.. James seem to rise
to the requirements Of his role, when he
discards antics. fippancy and shallowness
In scene which does him credit The
supporting cast Is. in general, fair. In
two instances, the Characterization of
Jessaline Rogers as Elizabeth Petrovna,
empress Of Russia, and that of Frederick
Book, as Count Ivan Schouvaloof i'm
all that could be desired. Mr.. James
Jackson as governor Of prison fortress
and Edwin Felix as q, Hetenant in Her
Majesty's Own regiment, in the legiti-
mate comedy parts, were at times ade-
Quate.
The plot of "a Royal Prisoner Is laid
in Russia in 1741, and deals with the i'd
ventures Of reckless lieutenant, por-
trayed by Mr.. James as Alexis Razoumov.
ski. For flirting with the wife Of the
minister Of police he is imprisoned, and,
instead Of accepting his own freedom
when set at liberty by the daughter Of
the fortress keeper. aids the escape of a
titled conspiratori who has appealed to
him. To save the keeper Of the fortress
he assumes the identity of the royal
prisoner. Is interviewed by the empress
In prison, taken a captive to the royal
castle and makes love to the empress
The deception Is discovered, and, the en-
ragged empress Is about to slay the I'M
poster with her own hand when admira-
ton for his magnanin1ity toward his fell
low prisoner moves her to forgiveness,
and Razoumovsk is made q minister Of
state.
"a Royal Prisoner" will run through
the week.
'Too Much Money is the attraction
that follows "a Royal Prisoner at the
Grand