The Saint Paul globe., 1904-04-11
At St. Paul Theaters

An American classic slipped unob-
trusfvely into the Grand opera house
last tnlght-'unaWares. That is to say,
there were people present who didn't
know how true to nature David Har-
um" is, having had their thinking an
paratus put out of gear by such mon
StroSlteS as 1.-The Stain of Guilt" and
Otner impossible melOdramas that have
held ''revelry by night at the Grand
for weeks past.
1t is pleasant experience to greet
play that tells the truth in a good
natured way. David Harum'' certain
ly does this. 1t is admirably presented
at the Grand
The title role is not in the hands Of
star" but it is portrayed by a COM
petent actor, and what more can be
asked? The other characters are in
the hands of players who evidently
understand them and know how to in
terpret them. The result is a satisfy
ing performance real good, enjoya-
ble entertainment that makes you feel
better after taking than before.
That the virtue of the play wasted it's
sweetness on the desert air during the
first hour of it's existence was only
too evident. Later the mixed and null
utudlnous audience betrayed signs of
appreciation. The humanity of the
play-sO different from the coarse imi-
tations of Theodore Kremer-appeal-
ed to everyone in the house
Eventually applause followed David
Harum's eloquent periods.
Really, the show ought to be at the
Metropolitan with seats at twice the
price in vogue at that theater, spas
medically
William H. Turner plays the title
role. His down East dialect may not
ring true to the man born and reared
In YankeedOm, but Mr.. Turner presents
distinct individuality He pictures a
David Harum that you have a fellow
feeling for, man you'd like to know,
even if you would hesitate to buy a
horse from him. The humanity of this
1mpersOnation commends it. Mr. Tur-
ner deserves much credit for preserv-
ing the atmosphere of a character that
another actor was destined to create
and make famous.
Mr.. Turner never perpetrates the
mistake Of talking across the foot
lights. He makes every word heard
without taking the spectators into his
confidence. All in all his portrayal of
David Harum is a highly creditable
achievement-and that is saying much,
for David is a composite American.
The humanity Of the play is con-
Stantly on the surface. Consequently
one false note uttered by an actor jars
upon the eGr. One is sounded by
Pliny F. Rutledge, who overdoes the
character of Harum's clerk "Chet
The effeminacy of the gentleman is a
reflection upon the business judgment
of Banker Harum. Mr. Rutledge should
change his conception of the role or
else the stage manager should receive
enlightenment.
1t is a pleasure to commend the con-
sistent, self-cOntained, Well-pOised pOr-
trayal of Aunt Polly contributed by
Effie Germon. Here is an actress who
gained her education in the sane
drama as distinguished from the i'm
possibilities recently inflicted upon the
patrons of the Grand.
The other roles were acceptably i'm
personated. A minute analysis of the
acting of the leading Juvenile and the
leading woman would be unfair to Will
liam Lamp and Kathryn Morse, who
make intelligent efforts to play unnat-
ural people. G. H. Carlton must be
commended for his dialect and his
laugh in the character of Dick Larri-
bee, the factotum, who smiles so audi
bly, at all of David's jokes, "for many
a joke had he" F. G. H.