The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-05-21
AT THE THEATERS.
GRAND.

With scenic equipment far in advance in
point OF excellence of anything that has
ever been shown in st. Paul, the produc-
ton of Uncle Toms Cabin at the
Grand opera house last night revealed
performance of that old-time drama
that has attractions for those who may
have witnessed it a dozen times. The
presentation is under the ownership and
direction of AL. w Martin, having been
staged and arranged in an entirely new
and novel manner. In the opening act
the scene IN Uncle Toms Cabin be-
tween Eliza Harris, Uncle Tom and Aunt
Chloe is made more effective by the use
of transparencies for the cabins sides,
enabling the audience to see and under
stand more thoroughly. A transparency
is used again in the death scene of Little
Eva st. Clair. In addition to these
most effective aids to a strong presenta-
ton of a drama so full of sentiment and
emotion, Mr.. Martin did not overlook
the advantage to be gained by the best
work obtainable for all of the stage set
tings. All of that used in the first and
final acts was prepared by Sorman &
Lands, Of Chicago, while that used in
acts two and three was painted by Buh-
Ter d Co. With the best scenic effects
the material effects are rendered more
effective The river scene, where Eliza
escapes on the ice pursued by blood
hounds, Is made more real on account of
the actual presence of the hounds in full
pursuit. There is also a pony cart with
q tiny Shetland pony for Little Eva and
IN other acts there are jacks and oxen
used on the open stage for carrying and
hauling cotton in an old-fashioned OK
cart. AS presented the piece lacks moth
ing that could be secured in the way of
mechanical equipment and IS beyond
question the most expensive presenta-
ton of the old slavery days story that
was ever seen in ST. Paul Coupled with
a cast of characters equal to any now
on the road. the piece Is being given an
effective presentation that renders it at
tractive to young and old alike
Will H. Stevens makes the ideal I'm
Gle Tom, the faithful old servant Of Shell
by and st. Clair. Vida Keane has sew
eral novel and fetching pieces of bust
ness as Topsy. and George w. Parks
makes an amusing character in Marks,
the lawyer. Fred M. TiIlish succeeds
in making the detestable Simon Legree
even more despicable, and wins the
plaudits of gallery and pit Josephine
Fox as Eliza Harris, makes more of the
part than is usually accorded 1t. and
Little Helen Davis as Eva, wins not
only the applause but the hearts of the
audience.
In order that the effect of the intense
too depressing effect on the audience, the
management has secured the service of
the Whangdoodle Brownie quartette
which never gets away with less than
three recalls. Then. between the second
and third acts, lively corn cake walk
Is given in which Tom Brockman. said to
be the tallest negro living, acts as mas
ter of ceremonies.
A rare treat is in store for playgoers
in the presentation of Russ WhytaPs ro
mantle drama, "For Fair Virginia. at
the Grand the coming week. This play
was originally produced at the Fifth
Avenue theater in the spring of 1895, and
since then has been continuously acted
and has met wherever presented with a
most flattering reception.
METROPOLITAN.
Kellar, the great magician and wonder
worker, will open an engagement Of three
nights and Wednesday matinee at the
Metropolitan opera house tonight. 1t is
now nearly two years since ksI'ar last an
peared in this city, but the favorable I'M.
preston he made at that time is sill re-
membered. He has always been consider