The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-17
ADJUSTMENTS
The Frawleys Present GIN Mizzoura.

7.,
,"1n Mizzoura,'' Augustus Thomas play
which the Frawley company is presenting at
the Metropolitan this week, is remarkable,
chiefly for Its quaint character types. Lack
ing. the dramatic intensity of Mr.. Thomas
"Arizona,' and the delicate prose poetry OF
his ;'Alabama,'' this drama Of the southwest
commands attention through the drollery of
its humor., 1t was Mr.. Goldsmith, I believe,
who,- in writing from Sweden, said that the
gentlemen of all countries have pretty much
the same characteristics. But he used the
word in it's restricted sense, at time when
a gentleman was merely a man with ancestors
behind him and a silken coat upon his back,
and however automatic tho remark may have
been during the regency it is true no longer.
Jim Radburn, sheriff of Pike county, would
have been considered boor in the days when
"Goldie,'' Beau Nash and "Sherrie" walked
the mall, but times change and the opinions
Of men change with them. In Bowling Green,
Radburn has become a gentleman, perhaps
the FIRST gentleman of his district; and as
E1he Struts his little while upon the stage"
we find both him and his friends delightful
companions 49, z
5 It is an interesting story, this tale, and it
takes on an added charm becauee its locale
Is unfamiliar, its people unknown and it's
motive as old as the garden of Eden. The
persuasive power of love story, even though
it be, badly told, is UNIVERSAL: and the love
badly told, but the contrary. .Radburn's love
for Kate, as Mr. Thomas has outlined 1t. is
a fine thing in itself, so fine thing that even
the ungracious character of the girl does not
suffice to rob it of its charm. And Kate YER
mons is neither a lovely nor lovable char
,acter She has been educated beyond her
position in life and out of her liking for her
home. Possibly it was not her fault, but
the fact remains and even the art of Miss
Mary Van Buren, is unable to create sympathy
for the girl whose position, at best, must have
been a difficult one.
AS a Tiffany setting seems to impart an
added lustre to the jewel within its grasp, SO
does the strange environment in which this
love story is set give it an added charm The
folk of Bowling Green are simple, even, print
tive, if you will; their humor is unique, their
personality odd, and their manner of speech
fantastic. To realize such characters upon
the stage requires either an especial fitness
for the particular task at hand, or an unusual
versatility, and this versatility has not been
lacking in the present: revival. Two plays of
more variant types than ''Mme. Sans. Gene
and tfIn MizZoura" would be difficult to
imagine, and it is tribute to the ability Of
the Frawley company that the transition has
been accomplished with conspicuous success.
The largest audience of the summer season
saw the Thomas drama last night and enjoyed
it hugely.
s -
ner in which even its minor characters have
been developed. At some time OR another
during. the action Of the play each one stands
out clear and distinct; each has an Importance
of its own and each must be we'll done or else
some certain scene will go to pieces. In the
slang of stagedom, there are but two
straight parts in the whole play, and the
cast of characters is not short one.
Alexander Karney made his debut with the
company in the role of Jim Radburn He is
an actor of fine presence and good ability, and
his impersonation augurs we'll for his future
work. Perhaps the chief interest felt by
Minneapolitans in the production was con-
Germ for the manner in which Miss Janet
Priest would handle the role of Lizbeth. If
her friends had felt any anxiety, however, it
was dispelled shortly after she came upon
the stage The part is nicely adapted to Miss
Priests personality and she plays 1t excel
lently.
An extended discussion of the cast is not
needed. Edwin Holt gives a remarkably in
steresting portrayal Of Joe Vernon and one
of the best character hits Of the entire per-
Torrance is contributed by Marie Howe in the
role of Mrs. Vernon. Miss Van Buren,, in an
ungracous part, plays with her accustomed
excellence. The others are all satisfactory.
T