The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-05
At ST. Paul Theaters

. lt44y UCIOluG WllI1OQL the SUSPICION
of a past-just a genuine girl who
falls in love before she knows it-that
is Polly Primrose" the play, and like
wise Polly Primrose, the girl, portray
ed by Adelaide Thurston, which the
patrons of the Metropolitan beheld last
night. War dramas without shoulder
straps and muskets and real, unso-
phisticated heroines afford a combina-
ton both rare and enjoyable.
Paul Wilstach wrote this comedy of
Georgetown, D. c., which was peaceful
territory during the Civil war, but he
contrived to introduce a heart struggle
that chains the attention Of the audi
ences as long as the play lasts. At
the same time he has succeeded in
surrounding the drama with the at
mosphere of the great civil strife
which furnishes the motive for it's ac-
ton.
Not an audible shot is fired. Not a
Haiti" is heard. Not a "cuss" word
escapes across the footlights. But an
alert ear can hear all three-and a
few more.
Adelaide Thurston was not framed
to deliver heroics. She is rather at
tuned to eXemplify girlish innocence,
petulance, inconsistency and loyalty.
Polly Primrose, fresh from boarding
school, is one of these engaging girls
who pretendS to hate the man she
loves, but still leads him on in spirit
of feminine coquetry A fiery patriot,
in the Southern cause, she falls In love
with Northern officer, but dismisses
him when she thinks he is a spy. Sub
sequent developments place her in a
position where she can save his life,
even though her action thWarts the
scheme of her countrymen. With all
her patriotism, expressed in the high
sounding declaration that love of coun-
try and home is greater than any other
love, Polly succumbs to the divine pas
sion and let's her Yankee captain es-
cape. This is human, and Mr.. Will
Stach achieved a telling stroke when
he created this scene.
Miss Thurston's personality harmon
ICES with a sane conception of honest
girlhood. She was essentially ingenu-
Gus in the role Of Polly. She presented
the picture Of girl blissfuIly ignorant
of all that her father and mother would
not want their young daughter to
know This phase Of the play alone is
enough to commend it to those who
are satiated with the highly seasoned
heroineS of the spicy drama, who
preach SO powerfully in their moments
of remorse.
In the trivial situations of the earlier
portions Of the play Miss Thurston ex-
hibited a girliSh buoyancy and per-
verseness quite captivating, because
quite natural. When the time to be
serious arrived she simulated the grief
OF a suffering woman with becoming
dignity, If not with the intensity Of a
tragedienne, who might drown the
stage with tears"
1t is a pleasure to be able to COM
mend Miss Thurston's supporting COM
pany. Brinsley Shaw, who imperson-
ates Capt. Hugh Carlisle, the North
ern officer. possesses a distinct per-
sonality that lends itself happily to
the character of that conscientious SOL
der. Intelligence and intensity ilIu-
inmate Mr.. Shaw's portrayal Of this
character, which he plays with COM
mendable reserve and discretion.
The atmosphere of the play, which
is its most essential attribute and
which must make itself felt at the out
set. is admirably supplied by James r.
Mccain in the role of John Ferguson
Primrose, Of the University of Virginia,
20. Here is a dignified embodiment
OF an old school gentleman, presented
by player possessing distinction-a
rather lrVingeSque cast of features, 1t
might be said-though Mr. Mccain
cannot be accused of voluntary imita-
ton in this respect. Mr. McCann's
acting was characterized by a dignity
and repoSe too seldom noted in these
our actors"
Franklin Jones. contributed a breezy,
unaffected impersonation of John
Primrose Jr., Polly's brother, and Fred
erick Kerby gave a convincing, though
somewhat melodramatic picture of Oil
Yer Chase, the jealous Confederate spy.
Mr.. Shaw was undeniably effective,
but might be more so if he would tone
down his demoniacaI poses, moderate
the transports of his devilish ecstacy,
as it were.
An admirable characterizaticn of
Simms, of the federal secret service,
was afforded by Charles Horn, and
Lizzie Kendall, in the role Of Mrs.
Primrose, proved the complete COM
plement Of her fine, genteel, better half,
John Ferguson Primrose. "Univer-
sity Of Virginia, 90. F. G. H.
Beginning Sunday night, for an en-
gagement of four nights and a matinee,
the attraction at the Metropolitan will
be scenic production of "Thelma."
For the latter half of next week the
bill at the Metropolitan will be ''The
Cavalier" Seats for this engagement
will go on sale Monday morning.
Foxy Grandpa" the Grand's attrac-
ton this week. appeals strongly to the
children. There will be three more
performances, including a matinee to-
morrow at 2:30.
One of the features of "The Factory
Girl" the labor play which will be the
attraction at the Grand next week, is
the factory scene, with its wheels and
belts, the big steel plunger and an cleo
trio dynamo.
This is ladies' day at the Star the
alter. The Imperial Extravaganza COM
pany is the attraction. The company Is
a large one, carrying over forty people