The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-17

SAU-uCcl GCu Ro1CGy3 olO CAO TOtAOA VI
the south, not yet ingrained with the
stern lesson Of work and necessity
which is the birthright Of the New Eng
land woman. These characters, set
against background of beautiful seen
cry and stately, old southern homes,
the story and its tragedy growing
stronger until the climax Of the third
act finds the audience tense and breath
less.
A novel scene introduced is Hal
loween celebration. the like of which
stage-Halloween tricks are performed
and pumpkin dance follows. The di-
version is so natural and is entered into
with 50 much spirit that it rouses the
audience to. the hi CHEST pitch Of laugh
tsF apa 5sXG o he the mo s o2n
diverting and unhackneyed play Of
southern life ever written.
Bijou-"Our New Minister
At the Biiou next week, commencing
with a matinee tomorrow, "Our New
Minister,'' character play by Den
authors of ''The Old Homestead, ~ will
have its first presentation. New Eng
plays, but in "Our New Minister" the
authors have entered upon an untrod-
den bit of meadowland. There is an
atmosphere Of rustic. simplicity,
quaintness and unconventionality about
"Our New Minister which forcibly
impresses an audience. Yankee humor
.trickles thru its lines and enlivens many
of the situations, but side by side with
it there runs a vein of pathos. The
press is a unit in pronouncing it a
great play.
It's strength lies in the distinctive
ness of it's characters, every one of
which stands out prominently and dis
the stage today more distinctive char
acters than Thaddeus Strong, the new
minister; Lem Ransom, the reformed
convict; Darius Startle, the country de-
tective; Curt Ho ten, ION the fence;'
Obadiah Blurton, with settled opinions;
ISkeezicks, an up-to-date New York lad.
These alone would serve as basis for
a dozen dramas, and all are drawn with
great care. and skill. The other charac,
tiers are Hannibal Chapman, pretend,
er; Calvin Abdal, the old minister
Ransom, Lem daughter, a fine emo
tional character; Dorcas Tattleby
name and nature alike, and Esther
|Strong, the new minister's sister. They
are all strong originals. The various
parts are fitted to the actors in an adj
u1lTdUle uduu0I, GnS1I po1 u ety ais dI6 81
utterly untheatrical and artistic, so true
in every tone and gesture and pose
that the total effect is startlingly real
i Scenically, t'Our New Minister il
constant delight. The first act shows
the front Of the general store and post
office, the lower floor, with it's store
the upper one utilized as lodgeroon
by the Odd Fellows, and the two steps
in front running mn the er width Of the porsl
the left Of the store is the lane leading
to the depot, with view in the dis
lance of the tavern and rocky soil O.
Hardscrabble, "where the stones grow
faster than the yaps can pick 'em up ;
This picture, with it's bright reds, gol
den yellows and marvellous browns, i
a masterwork Of stagecraft. The sec
ond act shows the home Of Thaddeu
Strong, the new minister, with it's old
fashioned bay window. from which
across the g common is seen the gen
eral store and postoffce. The third &C
shows the home of Lem Ransom, tn
reformed convict. It represents an oil
New England kitchen and is fine ex
ample Of fidelity in color and detail
q Our New Minister will be pre-
scented by the original New York all