The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-09-25
AT THE THEATERs.
METROPOLITAN.

MEItLOFOLlIANs
theme involving the whole gamut Of
human emotions and suffering, a cast ade-
quate to the production and scenic effects
worthy Of the name made the first appear
ance in st. Paul Of ''Zorah," a romantic
play, founded on the persecution Of the
Jews in Russia, a complete success at
the Metropolitan last night. The play Is
from the pen of Edwin Arden and in four
acts gave a striking presentation Of the
suffering of the tribes OF Israel under the
rule of the despotic car. The scenes are
either Russian or Siberian, the interest
centering about powerful plot in which
Jewish rabbi and Zorah, his affianced
wife, take leading roles.
From the rise of the curtain to the
close of the last act the situations follow
each other in rapid succession of ell
makes which maintain a tension which Is
only relieved when dramatic finale COM
pletes the story and brings the production
to satisfactory close. The plot shows
touch of nihilism, Zorah, through a CO.
incidence, being implicated in a conspira-
cy against the government. Her lover Is
drawn into the plot In an effort to save
her from exile to the Siberian mines and,
after suffering unjust persecution and
every horroRsof "a convict life, gains par
don for himself and his affianced wife in
saving the life of the daughter of h's
WOISl CHIEFLY, the governor III OuSn WlCsS
cruelty he and his people were sent to the
mines 7.9
Few romantic plays attempt heavier
melodramatic action, the emotional situa-
lions, through the charaotec of the plot,
which draws to the fullest extent upon
tho resources of the cast, being intense in
their character and following in rapid
succession. In the hands of a company
less capable the production would be
TOTO - lr-1,t
production, however, gave occasion for
little criticism. Rebecca Warren as
Zorah maintained through every act the
standard necessary to a pleasing rendi-
ton of her role Edwin Arden as Israel,
her betrothed, ably seconded her efforts
and satisfactorily interpreted a difficult
role A pleasing comedy touch, which re-
lieved the somber color Of the production,
was introduced by Max Figman as John
0. Slaughter, a Chicago broker, eXiled to
the mines through complication, the re-
suit Of his efforts to shield a capricious
sweetheart from implication in the con-
spiracy plot, in which Helen Heating, as
BILLY" Petroff, a willful maid, and Rob-
ert Fisher, an old-time favorite, as Ben
jamin Smith, Of Chicago, lent assistance
Herbert Carr we'll known in st. Paul,
appeared to advantage in the role Of
Michael Petroff, governor Of the province
L
Radovna gave a finished rendition Of q
minor role. The cast Is excellent and the
production is well staged, with unique
scenery and pleasing mechanical effects.
''zorah" will continue the attraction
throughout the week.
GRAND
To judge from the size and manifest
enthusiasm of the audience at the Grand
last evening I'm Old Kentucky has lost
none of it's interest for the play-going
pubic. In all parts of the house the seats
were filed and many were obliged to
stand both down stairs and in the gal
lery. In this, its seventh season, COM
ment on the1 play would be superhuous
Most Of the players too have been seen
in this city before in the same charac-
ters and are we'll known here. Miss Elsa
Ryan, the Madge Briefly Of this season.
is one exceptions, and, while she plays the
part prettilys throughout and is very eff
fective in some. of the scenes, it must be
said that at times she is lacking in the
dramatic force of others who have been
seen here in that character. Frank Lay
son, the hero OF. the piece, whose mare,
Queen Bess, wins the race in spite of all
sorts of conspiracies on the part Of his
enemies, is, SIS portrayed by Frank Day
ton, pleasing character and carries the
sympathies of the audience right with
him. H. B. Bradley, as Col. Sandusky
Dc olittle, is a strong feature Of the piece
and IS particularly strong in his comedy
lines. Miss Jennie Darragh makes the
most of the part of Miss Alethia Layson,
which affords her many opportunities in
her scenes with Coz. Doolittle. Pierce
Kingsley in the character of Joe Lorey
Is forceful and avoids all temptation to
overdo the part. George Game, who is
cast as Horace Holton, the villain Of the
piece, is acceptable, although in the more
dramatic passages he appears a little
weak The role of Neb, the colored serv-
ant, is played by Charles K. French, in
a highly pleasing manner. Very little
can be said of Miss Ann Singleton, who
as Barbara Holton has but slight oppor-
tunities and does not at any time become
conspicuous.
A pleasing feature of the performance
is the playing of the Woodlawn Whang
doodle band and the buck and wing dan
cling of the cocred boys who represent
the stable hands in the second act.
The stage of the Grand opera house
the coming week will be occupied by
George Larsen, Walter Lennox Sr., Bar
ney McDonough, Gilbert Gardner, Harry
Levian, J. w. Cope, Anita Bridges, Laura
Case, Dorothy Hammack, Emily Stowe,
Josephine Shepcrd and Ada Craven, in
George H. Broadhurst's roaring farce,
what Happened to Jones"