The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-10
Ora m ATTIC

AS the summer season at the Grand
advances, the efficiency of the George
Fawcett Stock company is receiving
more substantial recognition. This is
evidenced by the steady increase in
the attendance, notably at the Wednes-
day and Saturday matinees. when
every seat on the ground floor is &C.
cupied.
Packed houses at night during sum-
mer seasons have rarely If ever favor
ed any attraction, light or heavy, dra-
matte or operate, that has visited St.
Paul, and indeed can scarcely be ex-
pected when the open air and outdoor
! amuSements offer such enticementS to
the toiling population. If the theater
is two-thirds full seven nights in the
week and crowded at the matinees, the
patronage may be considered reasona-
bly, liberal and encouraging.
1t is gratifying to observe that the
Fawcett company, which last night
completed its fourth week at the
Grand, is at last meeting with some of
the encoura cement 1t so well deserves.
But 1t merits more. And there is rea-
son to believe that more is forthcom-
ing, in view of the repertoire an
nounced for the ensuing fortnight.
which is full of promise, as glance
at the plays to be presented indicates.
: AS already observed IN this column,
Miss Percy Haswell, the leading wofn-
an of the organization, is thorough
1y competent, well equipped intelli-
gent, sympathetic, pleasing actress,
whose representations invariably salts
fly the spectator. Nice discretion and
artistic restraint mark her portrayals,
which are happily free from senseless
exaggeration and yet characterized by
a dignity and spontaneity that fmpart
h0 Ill
She "o'ersteps not the modesty of ma
ture."
Mr. George Fawcett, the manager
and stage director Of the company, is
also an actor Of distinction and power,
who gives us vivid and striking i'm
presentations of unique characters, re-
quiring in their portrayal both finesse
and intensity.
The supporting company Is capable,
which means it is well balanced. De
Witt G. Jennings, the leading heavy"
the player whose function 1t is to
"smile and smile and be villain
STILL" is an experienced artist. His
work commands admiration, spontaneous
and facile as 1t is. Alfred Hudson Sr.
is another excellent actor, who plays
an eccentric, benevolent or crusty old
man, as the case may be, with accent
and gait BETTING the character he as
sumes.
A recent acquisition Is the leading
Juvenile. Charles Wyngate, whose i'm
personations in 1.-THE Shaughraun" and
Catherine" were clean cut, manly
and quite satisfying. The remainder
of the masculine contingent includes
players, who acquit themselves credita-
bly, In the lesser roles.
Among the women, Miss Evelyn
Vaughan, to whom the roles of the adj
venturesses or other ladies Of dubious
character are allotted, merits common
dalton. Miss Vaughan has unmistaka-
bic dramatic instinct and adequate
voice and facial expression to reveal
the various emotions which possess the
female plotter and schemer Miss
Alice Butler and Miss Agnes Everett
evince laudable disposition to sink
their own personalities In the charac-
tiers they assume, which after ALL II
successfully accomplished, Is the Sc
cret of the art Of acting.
Taken for all In all, the Fawcett
company is worthy organization,
comprising experienced and consci-
entious players, who strive for com
posite results, and strive well, rather
than mar the picture by inharmonious
attempts to gain undue individual
prominence.
They seem to realize that all portions
Of the stage are Just as strongly and
safely supported as the center.
IF. g. H.