The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-12
MUSIC AND THE STAGE.
METROPOLITAN.


1t was large and appreciatiye audi
ence that witnessed the opening of ''The
Liars" at the Metropolitan last even
Ing, and 1t was an appreciation Worthily
bestowed on merit.
One year ago this month the play was
| first presented in New York with John
Drew and Isabel Irving reading the lines
OF the leading roles. 1t Is but fair to
say, in full justice to what might be
| called an innovation in the Western cir
cult, that Otis Skinner and Miss Nanette
Comstock are surrounded by company
equally as strong as that which graced
! the first American production Of a really
brilliant comedy, THE Liars That
the play has achieved a pronounced sue
cess In the United States Is g. tribute to
the literary skill Of the author, Henry
Arthur Jones. And for this reason. 1t Is
society play, but 1t does not deal with
society as understood on Fifth avenue
or, indeed, in any city in this country
AS Otis Skinner, in the manly character
of Col. Sir Christopher Deering, has In
his lines, English society may not be
the best in the world, but we English
men try to make it appear So" Shall
we confess 1t? The marriage tie
is not quite so firm and choking
in our country as 1t is in English So
ciety, and the volatile atmosphere of our
divorce courts has slowly, yet sure
| ly, impaired debonair air to the
altogether too numerous clients. 1t is
this elasticity Of domestic relations in
American society which would, under or
binary conditions, cause an American play
combining the same plot and detail as
1.-THE Liars" to fall fiat, stale and unprof-
liable on an American audience. Yet the
art Of Otis Skinner and Miss Comstock
really raises the comedy of 1.-THE Liars"
at times into the regions of classiclsm. 1t
is not all's we'll that ends we'll like the
stereotyped comedy, for the curtain falls
on virtue triumphant, but destined to live
on and on in the shadow of regret. And
the entire audience is compelled to SYM
pathize with a hayward love. This Is
not pure morality. Oh, no; 1t is simply
human nature.
The story of 1.-THE Liars" is most read
lily condensed into easy reading. Col.
Sir Christopher Deering, a young Brit
ish officer, on the eve Of leaving for war
WI ing Africa, while happy in the salts
factory trend Of his own love affairs, sue
ceeds after long, patient and earnest eff
fort, in preventing the disgrace Of a beau
tiful woman and the degradation of a
brilliant leader in the English army. And
after four acts of ripping, electric wit,
repartee, sparkling dialogue and pure
Cplueuy SITUATIONS, Tie play ClOScS III
pathos-the antithesis of "all for love
and the world well lost"
Otis Skinner has been seen In st. Paul
for several years and in most varied
repertoire. He numbers warm and en-
thusiastic friends Of his Shakespearian
presentations. But it is honestly be-
lieved that last evening he gained many
new ones by the excellence of his clean
cut. thoroughly artistic work.
1t might be said that Miss Comstock
plays a dual role in 1.-The Liars" There
is a sharp transition from the sparkling,
Lady Teazle style of the Lady Jessica of
the first three acts, and the saddened,
stricken woman of the last scene, re-
called to duty and triumphant in her sor
row. To say that Miss Comstock fulfills
all exactions of this double role is high,
yet not undeserved. praise. She reveals
Charles Reades conception of Peg Wof-
flngton in this play more fully than any
other actress who has ever appeared in
ST. Paul.
Frank L. Sylvester, as Edward Falk-
ner in his rapid fluctuations between
love and duty. presented human, man
ly man most satisfactorily. The first i'm
preston that he was to develop as the
villain of the play is soon dispelled. The
lines and business of H. Rees Davies as
Archibald Coke. in the third act, are as
GellSntIu III a pil VI puiC NOiiiSuy 90 OAAO
could desire.
There are fifteen characters in the cast
of "The Liars" and 1t is evident that
each one has been carefully selected for
the work-and most excellent work 1t Is
that Is required of each. 1t Is play
of which ST. Paul is entitled to at least
a week instead of the four performances
for which it is billed. Following the
second act Mr.. Skinner responded to an
enthusiastic curtain call, and in brisk,
little speech thanked the audience in
hehaff of the company for the apprecia-
five demonstration. He admitted that it
was fully as great pleasure to play for
such kindly auditors as 1t was, prob
ably, for them to witness the perform
ance.
4The Liars" will be seen tonight and
Saturday evening, with a Saturday mat
free. II. +. ..
Philips 'The New York Brewer" will
open an engagement of four nights and
Wednesday matinee at the Metropolitan
opera house Sunday evening. These per
formances will be given entirely in Ger
man.
GRAND.
"Why Smith Left Home" fulfills all OF
the intentions of the author by proVlo-
ing almost two hours OF continuous
laughter at the Grand this week. FRANK
Tannehlll Jr., RoSe Huppaiu' .
lT;r,er and other capable artists inter
nrat the various characters in a most
satisfactory manner. Tomorrow at z:So
the only remaining matinee OF the en-
gagement will be given
Edward Roses dramatization of Stan
lev Weyman's novel, "Under the Red
Robe" comes to the Grand next week.
Gil de Berault is played by Paul Gaze
neuve-