The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-25
AT THE THEATERs.
N~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HETEROGENEOUS

Qe6In WnOily SupSFnuOuSi anu II IS, per-
haps, due to this painstaking care that
his plays have commended themselves
to the worlds greatest artists as being
worthy of a. place in their repert0y.
True it is that they are not always pleas
ant to look upon. Sardou'S Imagination
seems to revel in scenes of blood, and
the reeking shambles, the instruments
of torture, the Misunderstanding groans
and the agonizing cries of the victims
Of superior force are often too promi-
nent in much of his work. But when
their Virility and strength, even their
nerve-racking realism, are taken into
consideration, it cannot be denied that
his pictures, repulsive though they be,
are drawn by the hand of master.
Whether their presentation on the stage
Is conducive to healthy neurotic condi-
ton is a question for the psychologist
and the physician to decide.
In Theodore" the dramatist has choS-
en- to omit much that makes La Tosca"
SO hideous. Torture is limited, at, it is
true, and the auditor is given to under
stand that the rack and hot-iron are not
unknown; but the necessity for their use
IS dispensed with by a single swift blow.
And yet. it is a grewsome tale that is
told in the six acts which comprise the
play. 1t is story in which might con-
GuerS, even though, from the standpoint
of the moralist, it is not right over which
1t triunphs. This is not to be inter
preted, however, as meaning that the
play Is not a strong one On the con-
trary, it is what Mark Twain would de-
nominate as "bloodthirstily interesting"
and it is sure to hold the attention OF
sthe auditor from the beginning to the
final curtain.
Minnie Tittek Bruno, who essays the
name part of the play, is a comparative
stranger in the city Theatergoers will
nhnr hot cHa vic; Eol p -
west last season as leading lady with
Frederick Warde, and that her work was
OF character to win golden opinions
both from the critics and the public.
This season she has undertaken a more
ambitious role, and yet she has not found
the full meter of her ability. AS ''Theo-
DORA, co-ruler of the greatest empire
the world has ever known, and owing
her position solely to those charms of
face and form which enabled her to
weave net around the weak Justinian
and raise herself from a performer in
the circus to place on the imperial
throne. she was little less than superb.
Hers was the lissOme grace of the tigers
with which she had associated when she
was a plebeian of plebeians, and some
thing Of their nature seemed to have in
fused itself into her own. BY turns she
is kittenish and defiant, changefuI as
April weather, a creature of moods and
impulses, and equally effective In each
of the charac terS she essays In ter
defiance to her lord in the fourth act
nothing better has been seen on a local
stage for many day. All the sup
pressed passion, all the disgust she feels
for his vacillation and weakness find
an outlet in a torrent of words which
are so admirably spoken as to be above
criticism.
OF the supporting company only one
member, Mr.. E. L. Snader, in the role
of Andreas, seems to deserve special
mention. His work was wholly COM
mendable, and the picture he presented
of the Roman patrician was Characterized
by foreeful vtrility, by a blending of
strength and gentleness that made if en-
tirely pleasing and in keeping with the
character. The much Wanted horse race
In the fifth act was a disappointment
and the play would be vastly improved
by its elimination.
GRAND.
BARLEY Campbeil's melodrama at tbe
Grand this week is a production unique.
interesting and in many respects force
FIJI. Why the esprit of Russia is sad
why the works of the great authors of
that country all have an undertone. op-
pressive, yet fascinating is thread bv
thread unWoven to the seer and listen
er The awful meaning OF the word
Siberia" to those in fear of the gov
eminent, the secret work of the revolu |
tionists, or the Nihilists the intrigue
suffering and cruelty rife in the land Of
the car arc revealed ana through all
the bright side Of life is barely caught |
a glimpse Of
First there is the student, Nicoli Nal |
goff, Nihilist, who is in love with Sara.
daughter of David, an old Jew publican |
Then comes Ivan Nordoff his friend. ana
lover of Marie. who is sister of Sara. |
Third to mention are Michael TrolsLy a |
servant in the house of David, and his |
sweetheart Vera, flower girl Around |
these three love matches. and the suf- |
ferings brought on by the exile of all |
but Vera, the melodrama revolves and
from the first act to the last the silent |
Internal workings of the cruel govern. |
ment are set forth.
James Horn as NicoIai, defends Vera
from gross insult by Jaracoff gov
ernor-general in disguise as a merchant |
Sara and Marie are daughters of a Jew
and Jaracoff takes advantage of this |
knowing that there is a bitter feeling
against the race. With or through !
Michael Sparta, purveyor to Jaracon' : |
vices, the cry of "Nihilist'' and Jew
is raised. The plot Develops the trial
comes, deportation follows Nicolai is !
not sent to Siberia, but goes disguised
as another soldier to be near his sweet
heart.
In the fifth act is the mine scene. |
Nothing but work, punishment, hunger, |
cruelty, suffering, agony time of de-
liverancc comes and under the guiding
hand of Nicolai, freedom is gained.
James Horne as NicoIai does credit |
ably. He has pleasing stage presence
The same may be said of J. B. Cooper
as Ivan. Eugene Gesserer as Sara
played her part well and Julia West as
the flower girl, did charmingly She |
with Edgar Foreman as Michael Trolsky, |
furnished the undercurrent of merit |
ruent in the drama. Both have whole !
souied, healthy personalities Both are |
just where they belong.
The most emotional part OF the drama |
is naturally In the mine scene, where the |
climax is reached. Nicolai is called upon
tc fog the girl he loves. He rings a |
bell, calls his men to arms. overpowerS
opposition and fight follows
STAR
Fred Irwin's Burlesquers. the attrac- |
ton ut the Star this week opened TO two |
overlooking houses yesterday, standing |
room only being available for late COM
ers 1T both performances. LIE most Of |
it's kind the show Is divided into two en-
semble sketches, with an olio in between |
Good dancing, clever songs and mer1- |
tcrious specialties were the rule through |
out, and the interest is not allowed to |
flag for Il moment.
The strength Of the performance con-
siSts not so much in two Or three excel
lent Specialties as in well balanced and |