The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-23
At St. Paul Theaters

OAAOAAc1ilOOdIA IolO4iSOIl f1OWdTQS Qrdnl
atlzation of Sheridan's famous twenty
mile ride. was presented at the Met
ropolltan last night by the Florence Stone
Stock company. Though no attempt at
elaborate scenic display was made, the
performance. as a whole, was creditable
and more satisfying than either of it's
predecessors
Bronson Howard dean of American
dramatists, as he was, invariably wrote
clever dialogue. He possessed a keen APP
preelat1on of dramatic values. '.Shenan-
doah demonstrates this virtue Not
chance to present an affecting contrast is
missed. Comedy is skiIlfully blended
with pathoS, not 1ugged in by the heels
70 split the ears of the groundlings."
The company appeared to better ad-
vantage than its previous achievements
might have warranted Miss Stone found
an easy task in the role of Gertrude
Eillngham, the Southern girl to whom the
pombardment of Fort Sumter is music
artistic discretion that forbids ranting
and audible Sobbing. But Miss Stone
should omit the Southern dialect until
she has learned its music. 1t was too
broad, and TOO suggestive of the cotton
plckera Otherwise her @imperSonatiOn full
filled the requirements
John Milton contributed a satisfying
portrayal of Col. Kerchival West. He
was manly. martial and natural.
An admirable characterization of the
6rusque Gen Buckthorne was offered by
old soldier with authority. Such brief
and true sketches as these lend life and
atmosphere to the picture, and make you
regret the absence Of the character from
the scene.
Leslie Morosco caught the spirit of the
dude capt. Heartsease, who wore an eye
glass IN action in those days when vol
unteefs were welcome. In contrast there
IS the militant daughter of Gen. Buck
thorne; Jessie played with spontaneous
relish by Miss Leila Shaw John T. Dovle
exhibited the Hibernian eecentricities of
Sergt. Barkett in laughable fashion
Frank Tobin did fairly well in the role
OF OF the young lieutenant, who furnishes
act of Shenandoah is trivial affair
unworthy of its predecessors.
Richardson Cotton, in the role of the
YIllaln the secret service man, mani
tests discretion in his acting, but is af-
flicted with mannerisns of speech and
action that impart a sameness to his i'm
presentations. F. G. H.
"A Little outcast" at the Grand.
That little outcast, Bob" the news
boy impers Onated by the bIithe Anne
Blancke was right royalty welcomed at
the Grand last night after a years alb
Sence. The thrilling denouement of this
melodrama has undergone a vital change
from fire to water since its first APP
pearance upon the local boards but Miss
Blancke hasn't She is still the same
active, restless, irresistible, spontaneous,
reSourcefu street urchin that she was
Speh SiIe IeScueu the nero from raging
ire This year she saves him from
watery grave
The Iroquois theater holocaust put
stop to the fire scene in "A Little Out
cast 1t was realistic scene in which
the flames seemed to lick the entire
stage. But the substituted spectacle in
which the hero is chueked off the Bat
terry docks ino the dark waters, only to
be followed by the plucky Bob. who
piungeS in after him and brings his face
above their surface into the full glare
| of the lime light is fully as startling and
provocative of just as much applause
Thls alteration in the play necessitated
some changes in the lines, but none of
the vital eanons of playwriting were
thereby violated.
Hal Reid, of former Twin City renown,
is responsible for this melodrama In
permitted to work successfully during
three acts. But in the last they are cir
cumYented and the villain himself out
faced by relentless. impersonal, phono-
graph, manipulated by Bob Trumpet
tongued 1t repeats his own confession
houseIed. disappointed. unannealed."
Anne Blancke comes pretty near being
the whole show. clever, intelligent
responsive actress, this little woman, who
speaks every line as though it had Just
popped into her head. That she has to
ID this Hal Reid concoction nothing
daunts her. The scenery is there, the
Villain is there, too, and she thMarts
him. And the people experience a
heaIthy. wholesome enjoyment in the tri-
umph of virtue over vice.
A speciality of unusual inertia news
boys quintette-was introduced at the
opening of the third act It was repeat
edly and deservedly encored.
F. C. H.