The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-17
REVIVAL OF THE TWO ORPHANS
A GREAT HIT.

The revival of A. NJ. Palmer's famous
Union Square taeater success of a gener-
alton ago. 1.-The Two Orphans" at Klaw
&c Changers New Amsterdam theater ia
New York has proved one OF the most
remarkable hits in recent years. Recog-
nized as one of The most powerful melo-
dramas ever written. played by star
cast Of leading principals and a most
careful selection of players OF recognized
ability for the minor roles, an unusual
measure Of success was predicted Tor II
before the first performance; but prob
ably no one but those directly concerned
in the production ever anticipated 1t
would make the really remarkable hit It
has scored. From the first performance
the New Amsterdam theater has been
packed by great audiences which have
received the old play with all the en-
thusiasm accorded an unusually popular
new production. The receipts the first
week-Holy week, when attendance is
generally Iight-approximated $4,000.
In this revival the acting of the play
has been given first considerable While
the production is in every way adequate
and fulflls all requirements created by
the demands of the theater- going pubic
OF today for complete perfection in pic
tOrial detail, the scenery and effects can
only be regarded as OF secondary interest
to the work of the notable company in
the representation of the Yirile characters
and the development Of the story. In
this respect one is carried back TO the
days when famous players enthrahed their
auditors by the magnetic force OF their
wonderful genius without the ala OF e!ao-
crate scenery And yet. Notwithstanding
the evident purpose Of the producer to
make the physical side Of this revival a
secondary consideration. one scene alone
cost a greater outlay than was expended
on the entire production at the Union
Square theater thirty years age-the hiu-
minated gardens, the second tableau Of
the first act.
And such a cast! Twelve noted players
on the stage in the same performance,
each having a powerful role OF equal I'M
portance in the telling of the story! Ihere
is probably no other play that would JUS
tify the engagement of such an aggresa-
ton of talent, and certainly none other Ia
which SO many players or equal prom1-
nence would consent to jointly appear
Since this revival was first announced
much has been written about the original
cast at the Union Square, but 1T would
be difficult, indeed. Il imagine better
or more artistic performance than that
given at the New Amsterdam by kyFle
Bellew. James O'Neill, Charles Warner
Frederick Perry, E. NJ. Holland, jameson
Lee Finney, Grace George. Margaret IL
lington. Clara Morris, Annie Irish, Elita
Proctor Otis and Clara Bhndick. These
are certainly names which, individually,
would carry with them unusual impor-
lance. Taken as an engagement it can be
truthfulIy said they make up cast OF
principals that is remarkable.
1t was the original intention to continue
the revival of The Two Orphans but
four weeks and not to send it ION the
road" It's success has led to arrange
ments for its indefinite stay at the New
Amsterdam, where it will be presented
until warm weather compeis its With
dfawal.