The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-05-03
At St. Paul Theaters

FTltzl Scheff, grand opera prima
Gonna of undOubted dramatic ability
ana possessed of a rare voice, did
something substantial for the enter
tainment of the public when she aban-
ooned the more pretentious sphere of
grand opera to present what is labeled
romantic operetta. Moreover, she
brought to her aid some very charm
ing music by Victor Herbert, a great
deal of comedy of the better sort by
Harry b. Smith, number of very
clever people and an altogether beauti-
IuI stage production, and offered the
same TO a large, fashionable and very
Wen pleased audience last night at
the metropolitan. ''Babette,' FRITZ
Semen calls the romantic operetta. and
she taxes the title part, revealing a
most delightful personality of stellar
quality. 1t Is but stating the bare
truth to say that ~Babette" is the best
thing in music and comedy that has
Deen seen at the house this season,
that 1T is staged as handsomely as Law
Ism means and excellent taste permit,
and that the company does full Justice
TO the vehicle afforded by the produc-
ton.
FRITZ Schef is favored of the gods
IN natural gifts. She is extremely good
10 look upon, a vivacious and graceful
actress, has. a voice of remarkable
purity and pleasing in quality and
range. Her managers have not taken
the public into their confidence as to
what country we are indebted for the
pleasure of looking at and listening to
FRITZ Scheff, but she is Partisan from
the toes Of her little slippers to the top
OF her pretty head. She wore some
costumes last evening that were crea-
tlons. and were simply nodded upon
her graceful form. Altogether she is
quite nnIIl<n nj
american stage today, and she prom
lses to do much to redeem operatic
comedy from the ruck.
Babette" is built in a frivolous sort
OF way on the counterpIots of patriots
and conspirators, labeled with free
dramatic license, French, Spanish and
OF the Netherlands Dutch. The trifing
plot exploits Babette, an operatfc
pr1ma donna, who sacrifices herself to
the traditions of comic opera in order
10 produce first act with stirring
chorus, and clocknaker who does the
usual service rendered by the innkeep-
er OF time-honored memory The
story runs through three acts. one
notably bucolic, the second largely mill
1tary, the third showing the French
court IN the garden at Versailles One
OF the handsomest stage pictures seen
mere In years in shown in the last act
While FRITZ Scheff is conspicuously
starred she has by no means all Of
the honorS thrust upon her, but gets
what she may in competition with
Louis Harrison, comedian whose hui
NOR is OF the human and unctuous va
rlety and irreSistibly funny; Eugene
Cowles. whose great voice was heard
TO excellent advantage; Richard Ling,
tenor of good parts; Ida Hawley
Josephine Bartlett and a host of pretty
girls.
Mr.. Harrison earned his spurs as
comedian long ago, and he is now one
of the few really funny men before the
public. His work is free from the
cheap bufroonery that we are so often
asked to accept as funny, and he sang
a couple Of topical songs that caught
the fancy Of the house immensely. He
was recalled many times. Mr.. Cowles,
always a favorite in St. Paul since
the old days when he sang his way to
favor as member Of the Bostonians
company, was warmly welcomed.
A couple of really good specialties,
and the consistently good work of the
orchestra helped materially in making
"Babette" altogether a good thing.
FRITZ Scheff was accorded several
calls and came before the curtain i'm
response to a most insistent demand
at the end of the first act.
''Babette" will be given again at the
Metropolitan this and tomorrow even
ings.
The champagne dance" in "The
Silver Slipper" in point of novelty,
music, business and costumes, is said
to be one of the most fetching dances
ever given on the musical stage. Ar
engagements were made for the original
six English dancing girls who appeared
for two years in this dance at London
to come to this country. They are
Madeline Anderton, Beatrice Gren-
lie Lawson and Nellie Wood. The
champagne dance" is only one Of the
many features which will be seen in
"The Silver Slipper" which comes to
the Metropolitan Thursday, May 5, for
four nights and Saturday matinee.
E. H. Sothern's production of "The
Proud Prince" the miracle play by
Justin Huntly Mccarthy, author Of
If I Were King" will be seen for the
first time in this city at the Metropol-
itan next Monday night.
This gives us an opportunity to see
Mr.. Sothern's latest creation, the role
Of Robert of Sicily, in which he pre-
sents a dual impersonation of wonder
full contrast, changing from a king to
court jester. 1.-THE Proud Prince"
exquisite poem, Robert of Sicily is
formed upon a fascinating love story
of a king for the daughter of a public
executioner. Besides being romantic
and poetic, it has a supernatural and
religious theme that will commend 1t
to the churchgoer as well as the regu-
lar theatergoer.
The melodramatic offering at the
Grand this week, why Girls Leave
Home" is a play with a strong moral
lesson. The production is new and
the scenery quite elaborate, the cafe
scene being especially good. The COM
pany is satisfactory.
Al w Martins scenic and spectacu-
lar revival Of Uncle Toms Cabin will
be seen at the Grand next week,
Clark's Royal BurIesquers are giving
the bill at the Star this week and
good one 1T is The specialties are en-
PERTAINING and the burlesque features
are comendably good.
DAUGHTERS OF THE
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