The Saint Paul globe., 1904-11-07
At St. Paul Theaters

A genteel thief, puffed with divine am
Dltion, but cursed by heredity to a career
OF crime. and an eccentric detective, who,
having achieved a competence, employs
MS art semi -occa caSionally, and for pleas
ure only, form two highly interesting
s:pa ss:npaIaeters about whom a play entitled
hafneS the Amateur Craftsman was
presented at the Metropolitan last night
hyrie BelieW, one OF the most accom-
pushed actors upon our stage. plays the
titie role. and E. NJ. Holland. another fin
lSned player, who exploits the character
rather than Mr.. Holland, impersonates the
Suave >sleuth- Both actors are artists.
6otn characters are artists in their voca-
tfons. Their frequent contact inevitably
furnishes keen enjoyment to the Specta-
Tor, Tor reasons that are obvious.
IN the hands of actors less expert than
these two. .Raffies' would scarcely pass
muster. Played as it is it is undeniably
convincing and entertaining. 1t appeals
. but it is not WITHOUT touches of honest
and noble sentiment. Unlike 1.-The Social
Highwayman,' which it unavoidably re-
calls. its denouement is not tragic and
people leave the theater with smiles on
their faces, not tears.
The indisputable success of the play is
ing of Kyrle Beliew His inpersonation
OF the "erackSman'' is q cameo. SYM
metricai, self-contained. easy, natural
plausible. not once does he unduly raise
ms voice. Repose when repose speaks
volumes marks his bearing, Intensity is
indicated by the quality of the tone the
expression OF the actors mobile features,
not py Doisterous defamation. In point
OF physical grace, it may be temperately
said OF Bellew lin form and moving how
express and admirable,''
1t is a pleasure to hear Bellew sneak
for his English is the kings. That is, it
is unmarried by affectationS of pronuncia-
ton The clarity of his enunciation en-
ables him to conduct conversations in
eoHoquial tones and still be understood
over the footlightS without shouting the
lines ,or apparently noticing the audience.
In the two scenes with Gwendolyn
Conron, the young woman whom Raj
heS loves and who reciprocates his affec-
ton, Mr.. Bellew displayed another quality
too often absent in many of these our
actors admirable taste. Though RaffieS
realizes that she loves him, he restrainS
the natural impulse to demonstrate his
adoration, by so much as touching his
lips to her hands. The suggestion that it
would be a proclamation for this criminal
to offer so slight an endearment to a
pure woman was expressed eloquently. 1t
indicated the reverential quality in the
mans nature. robber that he was
Mr.. Hollands portrayal of the retired
detective, Capt: Bedford, who scorns any
financial reward. was likewise clean cut
and most interesting characterized ton.
Holland invests the role with amusing ec-
centricities of speech and odd manner
lSmS or facial expression and fumblingS
of the mustache that give it the sembance
OF life. for he is too much of an artist
to overdraw the character and perpetrate
a caricature.
creditable character bit is contributed
by Frank Mccormack, the grossly degen-
crate burglar, CrawShay, from whom
Rallies wreSts the Melrose diamond neck
lace. and who subsequently calls upon
RafneS to get it back or kill the gentle
man. In this scene Raffies demonstrates
his theory of the power of mind over
matter by reducing the ruffian to a state
or abject terror through a mere deScrip-
t1on of the imposing of a death sentence
IN court room. Allowing for dramatic
license, which demands celerity OF action,
Mr.. McCormackS stimulation Of fright
was effectively portrayed
To disclose the final denoument-that is
to say, the fate of Raffies-would be an
this play Those who saw it last night
know what it Is, and likewise know they
We're nightly and agreeably surprised
Miss Clara Blandick imperSonated
Gwendolyn Conron with becoming re-
Straint and sympathy.
The role Of Mrs Vidal, the Jealous
woman who knew Raffies to be the
craftsman because she had fallen in love
with him years before, was assumed by
MISS Beverly Sitgreaves. 1t was somewhat
roles, which are mere filters, were ac-
ceptably played. F. G. H.
Manager Scott of the METROPOLITAN
opera house, has arranged for a wire and
operator for tomorrow evening to receive
all election returns and they will be read
nom the stage as fast as they arrive
The comapny to be seen in the BABES
IN Toyland" at the Metropolitan Thursday
night is a very large one and includes
among its members number of principals
quite well known in the theatrical world.
Among them are Charles Guyer, Nellie
OfNeil, 1gnaeio Martinetti, Mabel Barri-
SON, Bessie Wynn, Gus Pixley and May
De Sousa.