The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-23
AT THE THEATERS
Metropolitan-Anna Held in "Mam'selle
NapoIeon."


Take a setting from the old regime of
Napoleon and add to it the following in
gradients: The little emperor himself,
the premiere Of the Coincide Franchise, her
fance, a captain Of the guard, a series OF
beautiful costumes of bewildering variety,
a number of regal beauties, some hne
dancers an agile acrobat, a midget,
gawky comedian, a number OF
good vaudeville specialties lot of music,
plenty of colored lights, quick action. ka-
leidoscOpic pictures, and the whole salted
down with a good deal of the typical
Yankee essence of hunor and any number
of startling anachronisms- the result
is the "Mam'selle Napoleon of Jean
Richepin as presented by the Anna Held
company at the Metropolitan last even
ing.
1t is quite the fashion to decry the i'm
portance Of the petite Anna to her show.
1t is said that she cannot sing, which is
true in a measure: that she cannot act,
which is also true, but in considerably
smaller measure; and that there are many
who are more capable, more brilliant. bet
ter musicians and actors. All this is true,
and vet there is flavor subtle and evan
escent, which Mile Held imparts to the
whole show that would GA it bit flat
| if she were not there.
| The thin thread of narrative hangs upon
a plot to separate Mile. Mars from her
lover, and arrange a meeting with the EN-
peror. TO save her lover by a personal
! intercession for him, she consents to the
rencontre and by a clever appeal to the
emperor saves the life position and honor
Of her lover. The only other incident il
the play is the saving Of the emperor
after his escape from Elba, thru his i'm.
personation by Mile Mars.
:. OF the music of the play there is little
to be said There is not a single lyric tina
will remain. or become the common prop:
ierty Of the public, but there are one or tive
good choruses. notably "The Glory O.
France at the close Of the third act. The
ladies' chorus work was very good, no
tably better than that Of the men.
/ Frank Rushworth, as Noel 'Gilot, fanct
of Mile. Mars. has a fine voice. but utterl,
lacked spirit and dash in his singing. 10
seph w. Herbert as Niche, had charge o
the comedy element and created a goot
deal of merriment, especially when at
tired as one Of the court ladies with al
immense couture, and a rainbow TINTED
train. Franz Ebert of Lilliputian fame i
one of the cleverest members of the com
pany and his comedy work was especial.
good. Ethel Howe as Nine. Recamier, 9Th
most beautiful woman in France full,
sustained her reputation. and Esther Bru
nette as Duchess d Abrantes was charm
ing. Edythe Meyer as Nine. Sans Gen
did a fine bit Of comedy which was tIlorol,
enjoyed: The Rooney sisters did some yer,
clever dancing in the third act which wa
largely devoted to vaudeville.
:, The entire play was sumptuous1y mount
ed and gowned, and Florence Ziegfield, Jr
j whatever else may be said. spares no eff
}. fort to provide Mile Held with every ac
cessory known to histrionic art, t
add to the success and eclat of the star
The wood scene of the second act was ex
quisitely beautiful and the addition Of tn
satyr to the gambols of the nymph
heightened the Illusion.
Il H B. Chamberlain