The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-14
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Just Why La ToSca" should have been
| transplanted from the land Of it's birth
| to America is one of those questions that
would battle the philosophy of a Hamlet
| 1t is, perhaps, easy to understand that in
| hectic France it would appeal to the
/ Jaded appetites of a class for whom any
| thing less brutal would have no charms
| and 1t Is possible that the art of
! Bernhard, for whom the piece is said
| TO have been originally written, was
| great enough to overshadow the bestial-
| ity and cruelty with which it's every page
| abounds. Here in America, where men
| ana women have8 not yet lost their love
| for things that are innocent and pure,
| and where life is not gated so fast as
| II is said to be in the French capital, we
nave out little use for plays like the one
| under discussion. 1t is true that it
| shows, In no uncertain manner, the art
| Of Sardou, who, it must be conceded, is
| one OF the worlds greatest dramatists;
! but the piece adds nothing to his reputa-
| tlon To the credit, too, of the theater
goers OF this city, it may be said, that
| up to date they have given most COM
| mendable evidence of their sanity and at
none Of its previous appearances has
there been any necessity Of parading
| the 5. r. o. sign.
| There is little need Of an extended re-
view of the play. Those who have seen
1T will not require a detailed description
of the narrowing scenes with which it
| abounds and those who have not would
| not be interested in the recital Suffice
! 1t to say. that while it is a strongly
written play, viewed from a dramatic
standpoint it is yet purposeless and with
| cut any just raison detre The two
| dominant notes, on which the dramatist
plays with scarcely a change, are cru
| city ana lust The result cannot be
pleasanter than the theme
Mr. Mcdowell is still the central figure
In the play. AS Baron Scarpia, the
merciless chief of police, he is seen in
a role that shows his talent in a most
unfavorable light. Like Sardou. he is
an example of man who has the ability
TO Go higher grade Of work. and roles
ike the one he is now enacting can
bring no honor. Mr. Mcdowell is a
Ilhlshed, an agreeable and a versatile
actor. Why he should wish to continue
II: a part that can add nothing to his rep
utatlon is not easy to understand. He
VIII 90 well to drop the piece from his
repertory and cast it away among the
rubbish that lies piled high in the store
| house Of the past.
MISS Florence Stone is, like Mr.. Mac
powell. finished artist. Given a part
suited to her character, and there is lit
| tie doubt that she would, in a short time.
De recognized as one of the foremost
women of the stage. Her reading is de-
hshtully clear and distinct, her methods
are easy and natural, and her work is
convincing in every particular 1t is a
rare pleasure to see her even in this
hectic drama; it would be the height of
felicity to witness her work in something
that is worthy Of her She is Young as
yet, and it is sincerely to be hoped this
viii be the last season in which she will
be seen in plays of this character. They
may be safely left to those who can do
nothing else. Her talent is too great to
be buried un6er the Sardou napkin.
The supporting members of the COM
pany are adequate without being espe-
cially noteworthy. The play is well CO.'S
TUNED, but the staging could be easily
improved. The engagement is for the re-
mainder of the week, with a Saturday
matinee