The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-25
AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

AS exciting as ever, and with the
same drawing qualities that have en-
abled it to furnish the foundation for
several good-siZed fortunes. the pIay
In Old Kentucky" opened the regular
season at the Grand last night 70 re-
mark that it drew is simply quoting
past history. Suffice it to say the
mousse, In point Of numbers, was a repe-
t1t1on OF the past and it's enthusiasm
just as marked.
The play, perhaps trif1e passe to
the regulars, who have seen and heard
its praises sounded for a decade, is still
interesting. Madge still makes her
leap for life; Col. Sandusky DooIittle
continues to drink copiously of tissue
paper mint 1u1eps, and Queen Bess, as
or Old, comes, under the wire a winner
amid the plaudfts Of thousands, The
play has go and vim, and it's ability to
please and excite is not to be wondered
at.
There is decided Improvement this
year IN the presentation of I'm Old
Kentucky" The play derives its sue
cess from It's staging and mechanical
eHectS as much as to any merit it's
lines may contain, and these have been
retouched and mOdernized to an extent
that gives It new life. The scene at the
race track perhaps is one of the best
that Its owner, Jacob Lift, has ever
produced.
Unless it is William T. Clark as Col.
Sandusky Doolittle, and George Caise
In the role Of Horace Holton, the erst-
while villain of the story, the company
this year is entirely new. Here an i'm
provement is shown. Miss Bessie Bar
riScale as the irrepreSSible Maud is a
winSome little maiden, and quite capti-
waited the audience last night. She,
with George Heath In the role of Frank
r H. n
the favorites.
In William T. Clark as Col. Sandusky
Doolfttle one sees the original Of this
odd character. Ten years ago, when
Jacob Lift first saw the possibilities in
the play, he was given that role, and,
with the exceptions Of few seasons,
has been interpreting it ever since.
The hun1or of the play finds sue
cessful demonstration in the person Of
Otis Turner as Neb, the family servant,
who, with group of pickfninnies and
the Whangdoodle band, adds much to
the attraction.
The remainder of the cast, which in
cludes Miss Estella Dale as Barbara
HoIton, Miss Florence Slower as Althea
Layson, and George w. Deye as Joe
Lorey. is in every way satisfactory.
The advance sale Of seats opens at
the Metropolitan opera house today
for the initial engagement of the sea-
son of 1902-1903, the attraction for this
important theatrical event being
Chauncey Olcott in his new play, "Old
Limerick Town." Mr.. Olcott will pre-
sent "Old Limerick Town" for the first
time on any stage, Saturday evening
next. The star and his company will
arrive in st. Paul tomorrow morning
and will rehearse at the Metropolitan
each day until the opening of the sea-
son. Augustus Pitou, Mr.. Oleotts
manager, and one of the foremost fig
ures in the theatrical world, will ac-
company the Olcott organization to d.
rect the. rehearsals and superintend the
staging of the play. Mr.. Pitou Is the
author of "Old Limerick Town." as
well as "The Romance Of AthIone,"
Sweet Inniscarra" and Garrett
O'Magh."
The advance sale for today and to-
morrow will be devoted exclusively to
the opening performance, Saturday
evening of this week. The first ticket
buyer in line today, and each tenth
purchaser thereafter up to the one
hundred and first, will be presented
with the compliments of Managers
Scott and Pitou, with two seats good
for any performance of the Olcott en-
gagement.