The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-10-13
AT St. Paul Theaters

Joseph Jefferson, in a brief speech
made at the close of the last act of
Rip Van Wfnkler at the Metropolitan
last night, aptly referred to RIP" as
our mutual friend
Surely no better designation of the
lovable vagabond can be conceived.
viewed through the medium of the
veteran actors sunny personality this
lnVeterate, hopeless drunkard becomes
an object of affection as we'll as
amusement, a being who excites our
sympathy, not our disgust. Nothing
put the magic touch of a supreme artist
can ldealize the picture of such a man.
How strong a hold Joseph Jefferson
mas upon the hearts and minds of the
people was un6eniably evidenced by the
large and keenly appreciative audience
that welcomed him at the Metropolitan.
The seats were all filed, and when
Kip" made his first appearance upon
the scene, a hearty outburst Of ap-
plause greeted him. 1t was not mere
perfunctory clapping Of hands such as
slgn1f1eS the complimentary recogni-
ton of the average star player or pop
ular favorite, but rather a spontaneous,
enthusiastic, prolonged demonstration
that plainly said:
We are delighted to see you once
more, and to sit under the spell Of
your rare and radiant acting"
1t is an education as we'll as de-
light unalloyed to watch Mr.. Jefferson
act His is the acme of the his
trionic art, in that he conceals
the slightest trace Of its me-
chanism. The self-consciousness
that too often robs the representations
of gifted players of sincerity is utterly
absent from this artists achievements.
Scarcely another player upon our stage
succeeds so completely and absolutely
in not seeing nor seeming to feel the
audience. Yet so cOnSummate is Mr..
Jefferson's skill, that not single touch
of nature, not a facial expression that
Eliminates the action or the thought,
is permitted to be lost, which is proof
the spectators.
Thus it is that his portrayal of Rip
is so essentially real, such a speaking
likeness, as it were. The lights and
shades are deftly blended not violently
contraSted, after the manner of crude
artists. How effective his suggestion
of Rips remorse in the first scene with
the children, when Rip tells little Nee
ME that he has drunk up all his prop
erty and left her nothingi How in
finitely pathetic is his parting from
Meenie when Gretchen orders him out
into the fierce storm! True, Rip de-
served it all, and severe moralists have
frequently condemned this scene, as
acted by Mr.. Jefferson, as creating a
false sentiment in behalf of a worthless
husband and father. But it is never
theless an exemplif1cation of the per-
lection of the actors art, and the COM
pelling power of his personality.
A player with aspirations to improve
his art should never miss an opportu-
nifty to study Mr.. Jefferson-not to
slavishly initiate him, but to study his
methods, and above all to follow his
example in playing to the people on the
stage instead of those in the parquet
or gallery "as many of our actors do"
The company supporting Mr.. Jeffer-
son is adequate to the demands of
RIP Van Wrinkle" Pfolliott Paget, who
has been associated with him for sew
eral seasons is quite satisfactory in the
role of Gretchen. John Jack imperson-
ates the clustering, bullying Derrick
Won Beekman with more JUNCTION than
severity. His expansive countenance is
more expressive OF indignation than his
voice.
Dolly Oweise, mite of a thing, was
very cute as Little Meenie.
r. This and tomorrow evening Mr.. JEFF
ferson will appear as Bob Acres in
THE Rivals" and will repeat rip
Van Wrinkle" at the Wednesday mat
inee. F G. H