The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-27
At St. Paul Theaters

Rome of the future, is the interesting
ana novel contrast presented by Hall
Gaines drama, THE Eternal City"
presented for the first time in this city
at the Metropolitan opera house last
night
An absorbing play and an admirable
company. That was the verdict There
could be no other
Whether THE Eternal City, will ex-
per1ence as many prosperous seasons
as The Christian" by the same author
IS question that time can only an
swer. but that it rings truer to nature
than its predecessor cannot be dis
puted.
The scenes are "wen digested," the
dialogue is dignified without being
stilted. and there is action, melo-
dramatic, if you please, but Intensely
human. There is no time for comedy
IN this story of intense love and hate.
This is well, for the author is not happy
IN the revelation of the gayer moods of
life. His colors are somber.
Inc performance, as a whole, merits
emphatic commentator. The story of
the play is so familiar to the many
readers of the novel upon which it is
based, that extended comment would
be superfiuous. The noteworthy change
consists in representing Donna Roma
as a pure woman instead of the mis-
tress of the prime minister, as in the
DOCK. This change permits her to live
instead OF compelling the final curtain
to fall upon her death. This is far
more pleasant and satisfactory, even
though 1t does strain the imagination
a bit.
The Introduction of His Holiness
| the Pope" is accomplished in a pictur-
esque fashion. The pope does not APP
pear until the play is half over, but he
hgures conspicuously thereafter. AS a
a fnF Nf f0.1 L, T.
| hero, David Rossi, for he had been
married before he became a priest.
Inc pontiff was impersonated by
that veteran player, Frank G.. Bangs,
whose makeup was undeniably effec-
tive in its stimulation of serene old
age AS for the impersonation, it was
| marked by the good taste and dignity
that invariably characterize this
actors portrayals, albeit Mr.. Bangs
! was prone to be somewhat studied and
self conSciOuS
Edward Morgan is starred. He is
! entitled to the distinction by reason of
his superior histrionic attachments. He
| has the features, figure, voice and
bearing that command attention, that
cause you to single him out, that make
you listen eagerly when he speaks. He
acts with uncommon fire and i'm
| petuoSlty, speaking in moments of
! great excitement with rapidity that
| renders him trif1e indistinct, but peo-
| pie in real life are indistinct at such
| times.
1t is the convincing quality that so
| strongly commends the acting of Mr.
| Morgan. The utter absence of self
| consciousness; the seeming engross-
| ment Of the mans whole being, in the
| struggle that he has undertaken, eX-
| cites the admiration of the spectators
and commands the approval of the
| most conservative contemplation of
histrionic achievement
But Mr.. Morgan did not, like Caesar
| bear the palm alone" Miss Sarah
| Truax, in the role of Donna Roma, won
| many and deserved plaudits Here is
| an intelligent, intellectual. apprecia-
| tive, refined artist, whose achievements
| It is always pleasure to contemplate
| she reads her lines with telling en-
| phaSiS, her mobile features are elo-
| quently expressive of human emotions,
and her voice vibrates with sympathy
| Her temperament is essentially in har-
mony with the character of Donna
| Roma, and she accordingly invests it
| with convincing fervor
That the audience admired her per-
| formance was Enthusiastically demon
Strated by the numerous curtain calls
| accorded her at the close Of the second
act
1t seems almost super1uous to COM
pliment Frederic de Belleville for his
| excellent portrayal of the insidious and
| brutal prime minister. Mr. de Belle
| vile is a finished actor, peculiarly
adapted to the brilliant representa-
ton of stage villains. No superf1uous
| gestures, dark scowls, ugly snarls.
nor deep mutterings-propertie of the
conventional stage villain-mar his
work
Special mention must also be made
or the vigorous impersonation Of
Bruno Rocco contributed by w. E..
Bonney. whose striking portrayal of
Nero in "The Sign of the Cross" is
| well remembered here.
The incidental music, by Mascasni
is an impressive accompaniment. The
scenery is effective. F. G. HI.
Richard earle, in 'The Tenderfoot."
will begin an engagement at the Met
ropolltan next Sunday evening, lasting
| for one week, with a Wednesday and
| Saturday matinee.
Eugene Blair will present "Zaza" at
the Grand tonight and Saturday after
noon and night. On Wednesday after
noon and evening and Thursday and
Friday evenings Miss Blair will appear
as Magda in Sudermann's drama.
"Shore Acres" will be next weeks at
traction at the Grand.
The vaudeville bill that is being
given by the Thoroughbred's Bur-
leSquerS at the Star is eminentIy salts
factory to the patronage of the house,