The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-14
At ST. Paul Theaters

oiioIiudH cleVer comedy, The Rivals
presented at the Metropolitan last
evening by Joseph Jefferson and his
company, afforded much genuine en-
JoyEnent TO highly appreciative audi
ence 1t is so refreshing now and then
TO listen to the polished diction of the
oluer English comedies, the apt rep
artee and the subtle satire that per-
wade the writings of such men as Sher-
loan and Goldsmith and their contem-
poraries
without Mr.. Jefferson in the role of
BOD Acres there is much to divert in
me Rlvals. The colloquies between
Gdpt. Absolute and his father, Sir An
tnoI'y, and all the scenes in which Mrs.
IndIdprop participates are irresistibly
amusing And human nature shines
through every laugh that the bright
lines provoke
II is hardly necessary to say at this
!ate DAY that Mr.. Jefferson's Bob Acres
Is qoI Richard Brinsley Sheridan's. 1t
Is JeHersons. And that is the secret of
ms ms popularity with the public. The
punptlous, boasting braggart, the crav-
en- poItroon that Sheridan drew was not
Tor the genial Jefferson, and he was
ARTIST enough to discern that fact. Ac-
cofoingly, in adapting the comedy to
the american stage Mr.. Jefferson mod
ernlzed 1T, so far as Bob Acres was con-
cerned, and made Bob what Artemus
ward would have described as an
amoosln little cuss"
But let it not be thought that in
taxing this liberty Mr.. Jefferson left
less scope for the exercise of his his
trionic skill. On the contrary. he Gre
ated a distinct and highly entertaining
individuality that it would tax the
powers of the most gifted actor to por-
| tray.
What could be more convincing in
It's fidelity to nature than Jefferson's
stimulation of the sickening fright that
possesses Acres heart and stomach.
just before the expected duel? The
abJect 'havior of the visage," which
he assumes, speaks volumes. There is
no obvious knocking of the knees, or
other physical symptoms peculiar to
comic opera comedians ito make the
unskillful laugh" But you know he is
scared to death. You can see it in those
expressive eyes, the hanging law. the
wan cheek.
This is real acting, real pantomime,
as distinguished from the obtrusive.
exaggerated and unnatural physical
demonstrations employed by the mere
hummer and artisan.
1t is pleasant duty to commend the
portrayal of Sir Anthony Absolute by
John Jack. What a face for the part
he has! And he reads the lines ex-
| pressiVely, imparting the telling en-
phasis that reveals their full signifl-
canoe.
1t cannot be said that Jefferson Win
ter fully met the requirements of Capt.
Absolute. The character of this dash
ing good-natured dissembler demands
! more color than Mr. Winter impaired.
1t is true Mr.. Winter spoke the lines
with due appreciation, but there was
an absence of contrasting light and
shade in their delivery, as we'll as in his
| acting, that left the portrait incom-
plete. a slight lisp likewise detracted
| from the effect of some of his speeches.
Ffolliott Paget presented a bountiful
! and gorgeous Mrs. Malaprop. Miss
| Paget possesses a rich and resonant
| voice and a clarity Of enunciation
gratifying to the ear, and admirably
| serving to exploit the ridiculous NAL
| apropisms" Sheridan has so ingeni-
| ously provided. The memory of that
| most finished actress, the late Mrs.
| John Drew, inevitably springs up
when behOlding any impersonation of
Mrs. Malaprop-and of course, com
| parsons are odorous,' as Mrs. Mala-
| prop says. Suffice it to say Miss Paget
| gives very satisfying characterization
of this intensely amusing grand dame,
who so Indignantly resented any AS
persion" on her parts of speech"
1t must be confessed that Miss
Frances failed to embody the spirit of
the ultra romantic Lydia Languish, or
| If she did, she failed to diffuse it. Her
impersonation lacked spontaneity and
| the fervor of romance.
Joseph Jefferson Jr. was quite &C
| ceptable in the role of Sir Lucius
O'Trigger.
This afternoon Mr.. jefferson will
appear as Rip Van Wrinkle and this
| evening as Bob Acres. F. G. H.
Commencing tomorrow night and
! continuing for three nights and a Sat
urday matinee, the bill at the Metro
| politan will be the Augustin DAILY Mu-
| steal company in "a Country Girl" a
musical comedy by the authors of "San
| Toy" and 1.-The Geisha."
The sale of seats opens tomorrow
morning at the Metropolitan for a half
| weeks engagement of Under Southern
| Skies" beginning Sunday night.
The first matinee of the engagement
| of James H. Wallick's stirring West
| ern drama. Queen of the Highway
| will occur at the Grand today at 80.
Ward & Vokes in their new musical
farce comedy, "a Pair of Pinks," will
| be next weeks attraction at the Grand.