The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-06-27
At St. Paul Theaters

The Irish flavor of Dion Beucieault's
The Shaughraun,' presented at the
Grand last night, Is irresistible 1t is
easily the best Irish melodrama of the
last half century. Its author was a son
Of the soil who knew the people of
whom he wrote, master OF stagecraft.
and an actor. Nobody who saw Bouci-
cault play Con ever forgot that ire
pressible Irish lad. Nobody can see
the play at the Grand tonight and not
applaud it's native wit and the clever
achievements of it's melodramatic eli
makes.
Unlike the melodramas nailed to-
gether by too many of our existing
carpenters, destitute Of the faintest
conception of human nature. f"The
Shaughraun" is a living, breathing crea-
ton Its comedy is not Iugged in by
the heels, its wit is not cheap sub
stitute for the genuine article, it's SEN
tlment is not mawkish. On the con-
trary, it's comedy is a natural sequence
at all times, its wit spontaneous. it's
sentiment honest. Boucicault's charac-
ters are men and women. not mere au-
donations, with lines put in their
mouths.
Last nights presentation of "The
Shaughraun," while creditabIe, was not
as smooth as it ought to be, and as it
undoubtedly will be tonight or better
still tomorrow night. There was hesi-
tation now and then, lack of brisk
ness in the conduct of the dialogue,
though the voice of the prompter was
not heard. The frequent changes of
scene were not accomplished as expe-
ditiouSly as they should be-a fault
quite common to a first night. It is
one easily remedied the next night.
The technical skill of Boueicault in
devising climaXes-maybe his French
blood had something to do with it's
admirably employed In this melodrama,
which arouses the enthusiasm of old
and young alike.
The title role was allotted to Frank
Craven. A modest actor this young
man, who, be 1t said, does not obtrude
himself. One wishes he would assert
himself with more emphasis in this
character. AS it was, he played 1T with
discretion, his dialect was legitimate
and his demeanor and bearing quite in
harmony with the character. That he
gained the sympathy of the audience
could not be gainsaid, and that is to his
credit, for while Con is naturally fight
ing the villains, the actor who plays
him might play the buffoon and for
felt sympathy The line between tears
and laughter, can easily run to the
vanishing point
There is no strongly distinguished
character in '"Fhe Shaughraun' of the
gentler sex. Claire Ffolliott, sister of
the Fenian prisoner and sweetheart of
the English Capt Molineux. was inn
personated by Miss Percy Haswell. Miss
Haswell impaired a Zest and spice to
the character that lent interest to the
scenes with the English officer. Miss
Evelyn Vaughan presented an interest
ing portrayal of Arte O'Neal, the
sweetheart Of Robert. She has a low
voice-"an excellent thing in woman"
according TO King Lear. Miss Agnes
Everett made an exuberant Moya,
sweetheart of Con.
George Schroeder deserves much
praise for his imperSonation of Cory
Kinchela, the double dealing squireen.
1t was a convincing, well conceived,
easily executed portrayal. De Witt G.
jennings. in the role of Harvey Duff,
the subvillain, was effective in the last
act. Alfred Hudson ST. was quite sat-
isfactory in the role of the kind heart
ed Father Dolan.
A new leading man appeared in the
role of Capt. Molineux-Charles Wynn
gate. Mr.. Wyngate played the cap
tain with discretion and created a fa-
vcrable impression. His bearing is
manly and his voice excellent.
The Star closed with two perform
ances yesterday the most successful
season in the history of the house.
The innovation essayed by the man
agement in a special ladies' matinee
met with such an encouraging re-
matinees for women each week during
49, coro;,,r saasop Tho hol1Sa will he