The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-27
At St. Paul Theaters

1t needed Maude Adams to iIIu-
inmate The Little Minister" to really
give Lady Babbie the breath of life.
Upon three previous occasions this
Scotch pastoral has been presented at
local theaterS, but until last night at
the MetropoHtan St. Paul audience
never beheld the play. Other compa-
MES have contained competent PLAYERS
in certain roles, but we never saw
Lady Babbie in flesh and blood until
Maude Adams tripped onto the stage
in gypsy guise. Neither has the title
role been as satisfactorily portrayed in
this region as it is by Henry Ainley,
whose Rev. Gavin Dishart is unques-
tionably human, refined and interest
ing With these two dominant char
acterS nicely. deIineated, 1.-The Little
Minister means something, provided
of course that the other eccentric in
dividuals of Mr.. Barrie's fancy are
likewise faithfully portrayed, for 1.-The
Little Minister" is essentially a come
dy of character.
But after ALL the player, rather than
the play, aWakens interest in this in
stance. 1t was Maude Adams, not "The
Little Minister" who filled chairs that
have been lonesome at the Metropoli-
tan for some weeks past. Compare
lively speaking, 1t was big house that
greeted the young actress, and of
necessity an appreciative, representa-
tive gathering. A very natural desire
to see for the first time an artist who
has attained such enviable distinction,
as Miss Adams owns, accounts doubt
less, for the awakening.
What adjectiVes can describe her
personality and her methods SO as to
distinguish her from other accomplish
ed condolences? Spontaneous? OF
course she is. Ingenious? Perfectly
when need be. Arch? Irresistibly.
Sympathetic? Her voice vibrates with
feeling, when emotion is called for. But
these qualities in the abstract are the
equipment of any finished actress, and
their mere. enumeration does not serve
to differentiate Miss Adams from her
cOmpeers.
Yet she differs from all others to a
marked degree. Her personality is
unique, distinctly but most agreeably
unique. Pretty in the ordinary ac-
ceptation of the word, Miss Adams
could scarcely be called; plain, she GER
ta1nly is not. Magnetic to an ex-
traordinary power speaking mathe-
matica1ly, she certainly is. And her
magnetism is supplemented by pro-
f1ciency in her art.
That apparent ignoring of the audi
ence, and concentration of interest
upon the question of the play which
characterizes all players of real dis
tlncton, marks Miss Adams action
and expression in every scene. This
would seem to be simple virtue with
In the reach of every player, but alas,
1t is too often painfully absent, as wit
ness the host of histrions who insist
upon taking the spectators into their
confidence and frequently looking at
them for signs of approval or disap-
prevail.
Many actresses talk eloquentIy be-
fWppn he h1y+
speech with laughter, in such a spon-
taneous, human fashion, the words
dropping out in that haphaZard. uncer-
tain way noticeable when one insists on
explaining what he is laughing at Miss
Adams is an adept in this preSentment
of touch of nature, as she is in many
other deft touches, that impart light,
color and life to her representation.
Her Lady Babbie is a constant we'll
spring of delight.
Henry Ainley affords her admirable
support His impersonation of Gavin
Dishart is intelligent, and possesses
distinct individuality. Though small of
stature as the minister must be, Mr.
AlnIey has the voice that a successful
Scotch divine must needs own and he
invests the dominic with manly vigor
worthy the respect of his parishioners.
An admirable characteristic of
THOMAS WhamOnd was contributed by
G. Harrison Hunter, whose impersona-
ton of the chief elder is not new to
st. Paul Mr.. Hunter is the possessor
of a rarely resonant voice. John H
Bunny furnished an amusing and ar
tlSt1c portrait of Elder Snecky Hobart,
he of the expansive countenance and
cheerful disposition. The other elders
were acceptably portrayed.
Mrs. w. G. Jones proved entirely sat
isfactOry in the role of Mamie Web
ster. F. G. H.
Viola Allen will be seen as Viola, in
Twelfth Night at the Metropolitan
for three nights and one matinee, be-
ginning tomorrow night. Miss Allen is
an accomplished actress, and her sue
cess in securing popular plays has been
unprecedented.
Seats go on sale tomorrow morning
for FRITZ Scheffs engagement at the
Metropolitan opera house for the first
half of next week. Miss Scheff is the
fad of the season. FrauIein Scheff's
piquant footlight personality is said to
be in itself enough to bring strong
popularity to almost any comic opera,
while it is conceded that "Babette" has
many charms of its own.
The attraction the latter half of next
week at the metropolitan will be John
C. Fishers production, The Silver
Slipper" Seat sale for this engage
ment will open at the box Office Mon
day morning.
The first matinee of the Al H. Will
son engagement at the Grand will oc-
cur today at $50.
'Why Girls Leave Home" a melo-
drama, said to contain lots of heart