The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-30
AT THE GRAND.

An old play well staged and well exc
cuted is 1.-The Two Orphans" as present.
ed by the Valentine Stock company last
evening at the Grand. The cast includes
nineteen characters, and the attention Of
the audience is closely centered upon
seven climaxes of the play, in as many
acts, lasting until close to midnight.
From the slun1s of Paris, with its odd
and vicious characters to the court Of
France, with its courtesies, powdered
wigs, and conventional snuff box, the
progress Of the play, which Is marked
by sudden variation in scene,
Miss Mary Taylor, Miss Meta Maynard,
Edward Mawson and the Misses Blancke
were given frequent curtain calls, and the
plaudlts of g. small audience were en-
tirely merited. The play is familiar to
theatergoers. especially old timers. and
the parts seemed particularly well
adapted to the company last evening.
The strong scene Of the play was in
the second act, where Maurice de Vau-
drey at festival in the house OF his
friend, the Marquis de Pesles, befriends
Henrietta after she has been separated
from her sister, abducted and held by
the marquis against her will. Mawson,
as de Vaudrey, casts his raised glass
to the floor after hearing Henrietta's ap-
peal for liberty, and draws his sword
upon his host. The duel, de Vaudrey' 8
escape with the friendless girl, and the
long series of exciting and thrilling Incl
dents that have made the play so popu-
lar, serve to bring out In no uncertain
manner the abilities Of the large cast
The second act is also the best staged
and is a pleasing contrast with the
scene preceding.
Henrietta's ceaseless search for her sis
ter, and~her love for de Vaudrey results
In her temporary Imprisonment. The
prison yard scene where Marianne, an
unfortunate girl whom the sister had be-
friended in the streets Of Paris, takes
Henrietta's place and goes to exile. Is es-
pecially strong. The Frochard's den and
the sufferings Of little Louise, give the
last act dnge, of melodrama.
L. Edward Mawson, as the Chevalier,
takes the part Of the gallant In the man
per quite natural to him, and his manly
carriage, excellent voice and good judg-
ment leave no room for criticism In his
Fart. The unique character Of Picard,
de Vaudrey's valet, whose dnesse bridges
several trying situations, is well taken
by Robert Evans. Jack Webster as the
dashing Jacques Frochard played his
part so well that he drew forth from the
gallery the Kisses usually accorded the
part. Kate Blancke, as mother Frochard,
the mother Of the family, played the part
with vim and Vigor and received a por-
ton of the gallery's disapprovaL Anne
Blancke, as Little Louise, the blind girl
and Meta Maynard, as Henrietta,
of course, rose easily to the exacting
requirements of the parts. The impotent
but high minded cripple, Pierre Frochard,
is given an excellent impersonation by
Edward Morrison. Louis Breen, as the
contriving Marquis de Pasles, Is quite
strong, and but little opportunity is given
Edmund Witty in the part of Ia Fluer
Countess Diana de Lineres wears some
very large white plumes on a basket
shaped hat. but Miss Taylor, who por-
trayed the part, is graceful as usual, and
last night was she especially gracious.
At the close of the third act when the
curtain falls upon one of the strongest
scenes where hers is the principal part,
a curtain call is accorded. Both Miss
Maynard and Miss Taylor respond, and
smiling, Miss Taylor takes the hand of
Miss Maynard, thus throwing all the
honor to the latter. The audience ap-
plauded and the act was recognized by
many as a most gracious one.
Other minor parts were creditably
given Interpretation by Helen Wilton.
Beulah Watson, Bess Taylor, Marie
Brown, Charles Hilliard, E. N. Leonard
and Raymond Louis.