The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-11

Heart of MARYLAND" q play that has won
success both In this country and abroad. is
this weeks attraction at the Bijou. The COM
pany is competent and the drama has been
we'll staged.
It is doubtful whether any political confict
tunlties Tor the dramatist as the three years.
struggle between north and south: and de-
spite the obvious disadvantage of sectional
prejudice, American playwrights have not
been slow to realize the fact 1t Is note
worthy, too. that the greatest successes Of
native dramatists have been achieved in the
production Of stage stories Of that conflict.
Bronson Howard never wrote better play
than Shenandoah" William Gillette's two
greatest dramas. "Held by the Enemy and
Secret Service" both have to do with
events OF the civil war: and Clyde Fitch's
Barbara Freitchie" added materially to his
fame Moreover. Belasco's 'sHeart of Mary
land" has already outliged his rsque "Zaza, q
and may be expected to survive long after
the doubly risque '.Du Barry has been for
gotten. In addition to these plays there are
many that utilize the war as background,
and in which the roar Of the cannon Is heard
only at q distance
'"The Heart of Maryland" is a stirring
drama, well worthy of the success it has
achieved. It Is the story of conflict not
only between opposing armies. but in the
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love for her country and love for her soldier
hero, who is fighting against her country and
who refuses to sheathe his sword at her
command However. 1.-THE Heart of Mary
land Is net a new story to Minneapolitans,
and requires no eulogy here
Much might be said, and justly, in praise OF
the company. The performance throughout
is nicely balanced. the minor parts as well
as the leading roles being well interpreted;
and altogether the production is one of the
most meritorious that has been given at the
Bijou this season.
The work OF Herbert Bostwick as Colonel
Fulton Thorpe is positive relief Mr. Bost-
wick has not found It necessary to "smile
and smile, and be a villain STILL" Thorpe is
a complex admfxture of physical bravery and
moral cowardice. He becomes frightened at
shadows: but Is regardless Of bullets. The
character Is an unpleasant one, but Mr.. Bost-
wick plays 1t admirably. even in that most
exacting scene where. crazed by commissary
liquor, he sees a vision of himself upon the
gallows.
Miss Helene wtntner, as Maryland Calvert,
has been set difficult task Comparisons of
her work with that of her predecessor are al
most unavoidable; but, while she lacks some
what in intensity. she is excellent in the
lighter passages; and, moreover, handles well
the difficult scene of the third act in which
she wounds Colonel Thorpe with bayonet,
udSlly SHatcHeU up ITOn n nearby LADIe.
Miss Wintner has an expressive voice, but one
from which the quality Of sympathy is lack
ing, aud in this fact she finds her most Sc
we're handicap.
Tefft Johnson is effective as Colonel Alan
Kendrick, and Francis Justice does excellent
work as Lloyd Calvert. The other parts are
all in good hands.
The episode of the bell, OF which much
has been written, and which was probably de-
signed to provide an advertising feature for
the play. does not add materially to its merit.
j. s. Lawrence.