The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-10-24
AT THE THEATERs.
METROPOLITAN.

We of the nineteenth century have I'M
proved in many things, but We have YET
to discover a single ingredient that VIII
add to the flavor of the comedies or the
eighteenth century school. Indeed, the
recipe used by such playwrights as Sheri-
dan Goldsmith and their like seems
somehow to have become lost and Inc
humor that is served up to us under tue
name of modern comedy lacks the
spice that makes the old ones piataple-
Chief among those old school comedies is
Sheridan's play The Rivals" AS 1T mas
amused countless other audiences 50 IL
amused the large one that gathered last
evening at the Metropolitan TO see Joseph
Jefferson as bob Acres.
Mr. Jefferson's Bob Acres Is essentially
the creation Of Sheridan, but it Is crea-
ton that, like Rip Van Wrinkle. the actor
has made his own. The repose that
characterizes this work always makes ali
the more delicious the quaint humor OF
the bluffing squire. Wonderfully fresh
and spontaneous did that humor appear
last evening The vitality Of his pres
ence, a certain viriiity that clings to his
acting compels the audience to forget
that the voice is the voice of an old man,
not that of a bluff and vigorous. II cow
ardiy, squire. Mr.. Jefferson's reception
last evening was an ovation. Besides an
swering repeated curtain calls the actor
the curtain speeches.
''It is difficult he said, for the actor
to lay aside the character he has as
sumed and speak to the audience IN his
own person In the character, the writer
has provided him with words. But when
he makes a curtain speech he mas 10
use his own wit. If We do not lay our
hand upon our hearts, said Mr.. Jeffer-
son. land say this is the happiest mo-
ment of our lives you will think we are
insincere If we do lay our hands upon
our hearts and say this is the happlest
moment of our lives, you win know we
are insincere.
Mr.. Jefferson related an incident that
occurred when he was playing The
Rivals in New York with the late w.
7 Florence. In anticipation of being
called upon to make speech each COM
posed and rehearsed one that promised to
sound like a fine example of extemporan-
eous wit. ''Our parts were not called be-
fore the curtain"
clever piece of acting last evening
was John Jacks Sir Anthony Absolute.
Mr.. Jacks impersonation of the BULLDOG
ing old baronet shared honors with Mr..
Jefferson's Bob Acres. Dear old Mrs.
Malaprop, the lady of the gorgeous
gowns and tangled words, was imper-
sonated by Ffoiloit Paget, Mrs. Pagets
characterization was clever and finished
and her humor was delicious. Miss Elsie
Leslie, beautiful young woman, was
romantic Lydia Languish. Blanche Ben
der, was chic, if deeeitfu Lucy. Boyd
Putnam as Captain Absolute; Joseph
Jefferson Jr, as Sir Lucius O'Trigger.
and George Denham, as David, gave
faithful and well rounded presentations
of their respective characters.
The costumes were exceedingly beauti-
full.
This afternoon rip Van Wrinkle" will
be given and this evening ''The CricKer
on the Hearth and Lend Me Five Shii-
lings.''
.sHumpty Dumpty, will be the attrac-
ton at the Metropolitan for the latter
half of the week, commencing tomorrow
night the engagement is for three nights
and a popular price Saturday matinee.
Richard Golden in .sOld Jed Prouty"
will be the attraction at the Metropoii-
tan Opera house all next week, begin
ming Sunday evening. The sale of seats
opens tomorrow morning.
GRAND.
.Across the Pacific with it's thrill
ing scenes of the Filipino war, its novel
comedy and mechanical features, has hit
the mark in a decided manner at the
Grand the present week, and the S. r.
O. sign ia being prominently displayed at
almost every performance. Harry Clay
Rlaney is a host in himself and Stirs up
no end of laughter Today at 2:5O the
first afternoon performance Of the en-
gagement will occur.
The engagement of Hopkins Trans
Oceanic Star Speciality company at the
Grand opera house the coming week will
mark the greatest event In refined
vaudeville yet seen here.
STAR
The Bon Ton Burlesquers are meeting
with warm reception at the Star thea
ter this week. their vaudeville bill be :
ing exceptionally pleasing, while the
farce that opens and the "jamboree" that
closes the programme are highly delight
fui.
Next week Dinlxens Vagabonds in a
| new bill Of burlesque and specialties