The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-01

n OCAL theatergoers have been ia
vored during the entire week just
g. passed with an exceptionally
meritorious quality of acting
in truth than st. Paul audiences are
accustomed to behold week in and week
out.
At the Metropolitan company of
unusual excellence presented Hall
Gaines absorbing drama, "The Eternal
City," while at the Grand, Eugene
Blair, an actress of conspicuous ability,
supported by a company considerably
above the average, presented two aa-
mittedly strong plays, 'sZaza'' and
"Magda,' in which she impersonated
the title roles with signal success.
For this relief from theatrical medi-
ocrity which prevails here too many
weeks in the year, much thinks.
Special interest, of course, was
aroused by the presentation at The
Metropolitan of "The Eternal City"
Hall Gaines dramatization Of his latest
novel. That this drama surpasses
THE Christian" by the same author,
cannot be successfully gainsaid. Its
intense dramatic quality is in no way
dependent upon religious conviction,
fervor or prejudice. Its appeal to the
emotions of the people is therefore
legitimate.
1t tells an entertaining story of pure
love. Both lovers are the victims of
vile Islander, but not even the faint of
suspicion furnishes their chara cter
from the view point of the spectator.
Deep interest is concentrated upon
their struggle to thwart the design of
powerful and jealous villain whose just
death at the hands of the hero pro-
Vokes salvos of applause. For human
nature delights to behold vengeance
melted out directly by the wronged one.
But it must be admitted that Eternal
Rome affords an inspiring atmosphere
for this story of two hearts. With the
legitimate purpose of imparting an i'm
pressiVe dignity, as well as an added
interest to his drama, the author has
boldly introduced the pope, not for the
purpose Of a passing pageant but as
q flesh and blood character vitality as
ISOLATED with the fortunes Of the young
lovers.
AS the time of the drama is the flu
ture, it cannot be said that the play
takes any understandable liberty with
the present head of the church nor his
predecesso rs, while the character itself
IS depicted with uneXceptionable taste
and due regard for propriety.
With the kings prime minister as
the arch conspirator against the lovers,
and the hero himself a member of the
chamber of deputies, and a leader of
the revolt against the oppression Of
the people by the Iuxury-loving nobil-
ity, it can readily be seen that the
drama furnishes a picturesque, highly
colored background for a thrilling re-
nance.
But of the acting. If it were medi-
OGRE, it were too bad. 1t would have
blurred the picture. But fortunately
it was of a superior character. and
harmony was preserved.
Young leading men possessing the
distinction of bearing, face and figure,
belonging to Edward J. Morgan are not
the usual thing-in these parts. The
noteworthy virtues of Mr.. Morgan's
acting is its impetuosity, it's satisfying
speed at the most strenuous moments,
its dignity in the quieter scenes, it's
gentleness, when tenderness becomes a
man. The sympathetic quality of his
voice Is another physical endowment
which adds to the effectiveness of his
lmpersonation Virile as Mr.. Morgan
is in the scenes calling for the exhibit
ton of extreme intensity, neverthe-
less, an intellectual glow eliminates his
speech and action, and SO, cQgnHReenhs
him as a player whose brains are mot
all in his neck or chest. n
Pleasure equally as keen was afford
ed by the admirable acting of Sarah
TruaX. Her honest, fervent, yet digni-
fled portrayal of Donna Roma will live
long in the memory of those who wit
messed it.
This young actress, with whose
commendable achievements in stock
companies local theatergoers are ia
miliar, is surely growing. Not so we'll
adapted to the impersonation of those
feminine whirlMFnds of passion who
obey no laws but of their own making,
Miss TruaX lends a sweet and gracious
personality to characters embodying
the Hottest types of womanhood. 1t
she has failings, like Goldsmith's par
SON schOolmaster they lean to Vir-
tues side"
To the character of Donna Roma,
Miss Truax brought a delicacy, re-
ffnement, an atmosphere of honesty
and innate purity that suffused it with
the virtues of ideal Womanhood.
Miss Truax never overacts, but eX-
hibits an artistic restraint perfected