The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-29
At St. Paul Theaters


duction of Twelfth Night'' was wit
messed at the Metropolitan last even
ing by an audience of fair propor-
lions.
As presentation of what may per
maps be termed the most feIicitous of
All Shakespearean comedies, in it's de-
YeIopment of the story it was worthy
That it was brilliant cannot truthfully
be said. Miss Allen herself gave us Il
pleasing and amiable representation
or Viola, marked by comeliness of per-
son, appreciation and technical pro-
hclency in the histrionic art Her
varied experience has been such as to
insure the last.
Some appreciative commentator has
said that Twelfth Night" is all light,
color and motion. That it is matchlesS
IN construction, redolent of romance
eloquent with imagery and irresistible
IN wit has been conceded for three CEN
turtles. Hence truly adequate presen-
tatIon of such a masterpiece is we'll
nigh impossible in these days when
Shakespearean actors are SO painfully
scarce.
Miss Aliens Viola commends her to
the eye and ear. She read the beauti-
ful lines appreciatively, and was espe-
c1ally felicitous in the lighter touches,
such, Tor instance, as the scene follow
ing the delivery to Viola of the ring
from Olivia. She was disappointing in
the immortal speech beginning "She
never told her love" (which may have
been partly due to the interruption by
song of the colloquy between Viola and
Orsino, Immediately preceding the ut
terance of this most pathetic and po-
etc smile. Miss Aliens acting in the
duel scene met every requirement. This
is the comic climax of the comedy, and
/ truth to tell it was admirably sustained
by Miss Allen and Frank CurFier who
played the brainless Sir Andrew.
Laughter was incessant and sponta-
neous throughout this ridiculous en-
counter between the craven knight and
the timid, terroriZed girl.
Miss Allen possesses what might be
termed unique voice. Invariably reSo-
nant and sympathetic, some of the
tones are not musical, partaking as
/. they do of a marked plaintive quality,
while others vibrate with sincere emo
ton. When she employs the latter she
moves you.
Her support is not even, if by that is
meant that all of the vital roles are
effectively portrayed. The Malvolio of
John Blair was easily the most studied
and satisfying Characterization. Mr..
Blair has a pleasing voice, reads eX
cellently and imparts a distinct indi-
viduality to the lovesick steward A
little too deliberate, perhaps, at times,
when slight acceleratiOn Of speech
would prevent the action from drag
ging, he gives in the main a distinct
portrait of this quaint eccentric, who
is made the butt of such cruel prac
teal joke. Mr.. Blair eXcelled in the
last scene of all, in which Malvolio
vows vengeance upon the whole pack
of you"
Clarence Handyside contributed an
acceptable impersonation Of Sir Toby,
lY,A u; IsI 10
kinsman of Olivia with the requisite
zest, JUNCTION and bravado which so dis
tinguish the character.
The Sir Andrew Aguecheek of Frank
Currier was marked by a cOmmenda-
BILE freedom from conventional antics
and grinaces, that denoted originality
in the actor. His makeup was conf
cal without being grotesque.
Edwin Howard, who played F'este,
the jester, has a soft lyric tenor, which
was heard to advantage in two songs,
but he fails to deliver the fools lines
with the volubility and accent neces-
Sary to drive them home. Shakes
peare'S fools are among his most exact
ing characters, when an actor essays
to transfer them to the stage Mr..
Howard does not impart effective en-
phasis to the speeches, nor does he de-
liver them with sufficient distinctnesS.
But the worst offender in point of
slovenly enunciation is Scott Craven,
whose OrsinO was vocally deficient.
The duke has only three scenes, but it
is a pity to smother any Of Shakes
peares words. Mr.. Cravens appear
ance was pleasing, but he jumbled his
words together, rendering them indis-
tinguishable.
Miss May Taverner was a pretty
Olivia, and spoke her lines with good
accent" though she did not adequately
portray the green and yellow melan
choly" that possesses Olivia.
The Maria of Miss Zeffie Tilbury was
sufficiently misehievOus to lend jest to
the prank played on Malvolio.
The scenery is effective and the Incl
dental music melodiOuS and apprOpri
ate. F. G. H.
Charles B. Dillingham; will present
FRITZ Scheff in 'Babette," by Victor
Herbert and Harry B. Smith, at the
Metropolitan opera house three nights,
beginning Monday, May 2. The pretty
little prima donna, who was lured away
from the grand opera fold, has made
sensational triumph in comic opera.
The critics, both musical and dramatic,
hailed her Immediately as the new and
real queen of the lyric stage, and the
public confirmed their opinion in large
crowds at every performance at the
Herbert has contributed largely to Miss
ScheffS success by furnishing a score
declared to be one of the best produced
by an American composer.
''The Silver Slipper" will be the at
traction at the Metropolitan commence
ing Thursday, May 5, for three nights
and Saturday matinee.
AL H. Wilson, in the romantic drama,
"A Prince of Tatters,' continues to
draw large audiences at the Grand this
week. There will be but three more
performances, tonight and tomorrow
afternoon and night.
why Girls Leave Home" a play
new to the theatergoers of this city,
will be given at the Grand next week.
Today is ladies' day at the Star thea
ter and Robes KnickerbOckers will be
the attraction. The five Juggling Nor
mans and THE Musical Babes are
very pleasing numbers in which the
chorus figures. The show is the best of
the season.