The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-15

I O1e WOfOcTeO, III regarding MsuOe ADAMS
as Phoebe Throssell in Quality Street, at
the Olympic Theater last night, how 1t
CHANGED that "L'Aiglon" proved a rage.
while Quality Street has not. In he
sort of excellence that is adapted to the
winning qualities possessed by this famous
young actress, Quality Street. is far su-
perior to "L'Aiglon." For our time and
people it possesses a spirit that "L'Aiglon''
does not, nor is it burdened by politics or
weakened by the absence of the best of
human interest-a love story.
Miss Phoebe Throssell is the sort of girl
Lady Babbie was not meant to be, as wilful
perhaps. but the course of her life shows
little difference. She Is a young slip Of a
thing when young Doctor Valentine Brown
comes to the English town in which we
find Quality street. He likes the people of
the street and particularly fond is he Of the
home where Miss Throssell, a spinster, and
her young sister. Phoebe, live alone. Ta.s
young Doctor Brown is a great tria. to the
spinster and to the spinster's ~housekeeper,
Patty, for he brings mud in upon the clean
carpets and is altogether careless Of the
excellent housekeeping Of the place.
After a time, Phoebe thinks that Doctor
Brown Is about to ask for her love. She
thinks 1t 50 hard that she plans all Of the
many little plans-even to the gown she will
wear. And when young Brown comes it is
not of marriage at all that he speaks, but
of his enlistment as an English soldier for
the Napoleonic wars. Phoebe puts up a
brave face and frowns down the horriiied
spinster sister. When young Doctor Brown
goes away to war there is no one happier
in her goodbye las 1t seems to him) than
phoebe Of the ringiets."
s ,
But things went badly with Miss Throssell
40 a. ttJ -toxa- TIz,, a-t4I n rNh0Nt
in which boys and girls were taught to be
!adylike and gentlemanly; but it was hard
to teach photography when you couldn't
spell, and Latin and algebra seemed such
impossible things. But they managed, after
q fashion. although it whitened Miss Thros-
sells hair and took the kink out of
Phoebe's ~ringlets, put nasty little lines in
her face, and caused her to stoop a bit.
Nine years with a dozen genteel children
seemed such a long time.
Then the war was over, and young Doctor
Brown was home again-a Captain with a
wounded left arm. When he saw Phoebe
for the first time his face changes, he shows
the shock that her appearance gives to
him, and she, too. sees it. In this same
day there are other trials, little humilia-
lions that make the hair straishter, the
wrinkle a little deeper, and the stoop a lit
tie lower.
There is to be a ball, ard Doctor Brown
asks 1HOSDe ana Z sister 10 go with nl1u.
Phoebe pleads illness. and the sister-she.
too. will remain at home. When the young
Captain takes his leave. 1t is to go for
medicine for Miss Phoebe, who upon his
departure forgets all the patient effort of
nine years in hysterical grief for her lost
girlhood. She goes to her room, dons the
gown of a decade ago. takes away the cap
that kept the ringlets in. laughs way the
lines and comes down in time to see the
returned doctor-captain and his bottles of
medicine. The young soldier does not know
the girl. Here thoughts fly quickly. Miss
Phoebe is too Ill to be seen, but her niece,
from the country, will do
And so the deception begins. 1t is the
niece who goes to the ball. 1t Is the niece
for whom men plead for a smile, a look and
a word of hope. There are dances AM
dances, to all Of which the niece goes.
Through the day, Phoebe, the teacher. Is
at home, just as Quality street has known
her for nine years. but at other times the
young niece is the belle of whatever the
occasion.
And let it be set down as singular that
it is not with the niece that young Brown
falls in love, but with the sweet Phoebe.
who used to be SO like her. and who Is
now so sober and sensible, so ladylike anu
self-denying. /
You will admit that the simple story is a
whimsical delight, but its working out oy
Mr.. Barrie and it's Interpretation by Miss
Adams and he company of players are
even more delightful. Miss Adams is so
well fitted by the part of Phoebe Throsseil
that there is lacking no opportunity for a
display of the tricks of individuality that
have helped her along to fame: the eloquent
interpretations of the authors humor, her
infectious laugh. her ambling walk when 1t |
should be so, her willful shrug OF the
shoulder. the play of slender hands
the toss of a head covered with ringlets,
the growing voice from that little frame !
all of these and more are in constant view
while the curtain is up on equality Street.
Nor must there be any forgetting some of
the men and women who lend support 10
Miss Adams. First of all, there should be
praise for Miss Helen Lowell. who plays
the spinster sister. She is SO excellent in
the work that there Is no giving her d place
second to any one-not even to Miss Adams.
Her part, that of a dear. well-meaning, la
dylike lady, of which there are yet so
many. bless them! is a harder and more
thankless creation than any other IN the
piece.
Miss Lowelrs appreciation of its mean :
ing, her affrighted efforts to mold herself
to the form of the hour, her honest en-
deavor to like school when she detests it
all are 30 good that it's here that We feel
it a pity that good acting can't be pre-
served. like good painting and good sculp-
ture. Miss Sara Perry of St. Louis had a
small part, in which her individuality
shown forth. Marion Abbott, who illumin-
ates every part she plays, was the faith
full maid. Patty.
Valentine Brown. the man who didn't
understand at first, but who, finally, did,
played IN a good-natured, but not too
impressive. fashion by Mr.. Sidney Brough.
whose lines were not always Ineligible. /
Fred santley. who appeazsd to b . young. !