The Saint Paul globe., 1902-02-28
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David Belasco can come nearer to the
ueiser line and miss it than any other
American dramatist He demonstrated
the truth of this assertion when he wrote
NduShty Anthony and emphasized it
when he penned "tZaza" Further than
this, he proved himself possessed Of the
t1oyuan appreciation of the effect on
the average audience of dazzling cos
TUNES and fluffy, lace -bedecked lingerie.
lie also made it plain that he can COM
pose crisp, scintiHating dialogue, that
he has nice conception Of the proper
relations that the different parts of a
drama must bear to one another, and
that he is thoroughly familiar with that
great mass of multifarious detaiI which
Is embraced in the term, 'Stage bust
ness" In a word, Mr. Belasco is a
dramatist, whose work, though often
rasque, is always undeniably clever, and,
at times. even brilliant. He is neither
prudish, prurient, nor banal in his work,
which is always original in theme, plot,
and treatment. Some Of his workout
this does not include Naughty
ANTHONY" deserves to rank with the best
that has been produced by native
authors. Some of it can be easily spared.
Naughty Anthony is not wholly new
to St Paul theater goers. For tnis
reason and also because it's engagement
was for only one night, there is no need
for an extended analysis of the piece.
It is indubitably bright funny, and en-
tertaining; but it is just trif1e
naughty in places and could be i'm
proved by judicious pruning. In the
hands of a company that was entirely
capable it is quite likely that some of
the most Objectionable features would be
handled more deftly and not allowed to
obtrude themselves so prominently.
This latter requisite to the adequate
production of the play Mr.. Mcguire has
not. With the exception of Messrs. Phil
lips and Folsom and Miss Doro, the COM
Eany is lamentably weak and the unskill-
ful manner in which minor roles are
handled detracts not a little from the
effect which might otherwise be OBJ
tanned. Horse play of a farcical order
runs riot through all the acts, and there
is more than one place where the spec
tator sits in momentary expectation OF
seeing some one of those on the stage
biffed with a bladder or cracked over
the head with slap-sticks. Fortunately
neither of these occurs, but for all that,
the play is fierce in more than one
place. A tonipg down of the trough
house" which is allowed so predominant
place would nelp the production i'm
meaSurably
Excellent work was done by Miss Doro
last night and she was vociferously ap-
plauded. In form, manner, daintiness
and piquancy she was reminiscent of
Anna Held. All her work was void of
offense, and her management of the
famous stocking scene in the last act
was done modestly and prettily. Mr..
Phillips would be more effective if he
would talk slower and enunciate more
clearly. His methods are good and he
gives promise or winning his way as a
comedian. Mr.. Robert Folsom acquitted
himself with credit in his rather difficult
part and showed unmistakable evidence
of progress since he was seen here last
summer. The remaining members of the
company are mediocre at the best.
James O'Neill. in ''Monte Cristo,'' is
announced for the Metropolitan the first
half of next week. beginning Sunday
evening. ONeiIFs characterization Of
Edmond Dantes has become as famous
as the Rip Van Winkle of Joseph JEFF
ferson, or the Hamlet of Booth. and
certainly it is a remarkable piece of
acting. Liebler & Co., his present man
ayers, decided on the great scenic revi-
val of the play in which he is now ap-
pearing, simply. on account of the tre-
mendous demand for Mr.. O'EeilI to again
impersonate the hero of Dumas thrilling
novel.
There will be but three more per-
formances at the Grand opera house Of
mann selle 'Awkins,' the operatic com
edy which has been holding forth at that
play house the current week Built on
light and frothy lines, which admit Of
the frequent Interpolation OF musical
numbers, we'll staged and presented by
a capable company, this piece affords a
delightful evenings entertainment.
Commencing next Sunday night, and
all next week, the stage of the Grand
opera house will be occupied by Gus
Hills Original Lilliputians, an aggrega-
tion Of contraries such as is seldom seen.
The midgets range in height from twen-
ty-eight to forty inches and the tallest
giant in the company is eight feet and
two inches high.
This afternoon at 2:30, the regular la
dies matinee will be given at the Star
theater with Thorsen's Wine, Women
and Song company as the attraction.
Next week the Majestic Burlesquers, said
to be one of the strongest attractions on
the road, will be the bill.