The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-04-18
AT St. Paul Theaters

That romantic swashbuckling, enter
tanning drama when Knighthood
Was in Flower" into which Paul Kes-
ter converted Charles Majors novel of
the sixteenth century, was presented at
the Metropolitan last night, with Ro-
selle Knott and Charles Dalton in the
roles of Mary Tudor and Charles Bran
don.
AS drama calculated to enable an
actress to display her versatility, in
Stimulating widely variant emotions.
the play answers it's purpose we'll For
the buoyant, high-spirited, hot temper
ed Mary Tudor passes through many
vicissitudes during the course of the
live acts. Apart from this one char
acter the drama lacks color though it
cannot be said to be deficient in action.
indeed, the dramatis personae are busy
from the first to the last act. in a
melodramatic fashion that gratifies the
spectators. Henry VIII, Wolsey. Kath
airline of Aragon, Anne Bolevn and 9th
er historical personages figure through
out, but no distinct individuality at
taches to any of them, other than is
lhdlcated on the programme.
But the presentation possesses q
special interest in that it introduces
a new star, of most promising quality.
MISS Roselle Knott, and also brings
into 1 view 1ns the leading male role,
charles Dalton, an actor of more than
ordinary ability and virility.
Miss Knott owes much to her per-
sonahty, which, to put it in the most
conservative language, is exceedingly
WlnSOme. 1t is not confined to mere
beauty of face and figure when both
are in repose, though she certainly
docs possess these fortunate endow-
n
bile to a degree, are highly expressive
her smile radiant, her voice rich and
vibrant with feeling, her action grace
full
Capricious and impuIsive, ranging
from the playful and mischievous to
the passionate and pathetic as Mary
Iudors nature does, the character is
scarcely one by which to measure the
greater and Subtler qualities Of an
actress, but it is nevertheless sufficient
TO test the metal of a player, and to
reveal any crudities or lack of artistic
restraint she might be afflicted with.
1t is pleasure to record that Miss
knottS performance betrayed no bIem-
1sheS of this nature. 1t was at all
times well sustained, ViVaciOus SpOn-
taneous, sympathetic and altogether
delightful. Whether she is capable of
| greater achievements remains to be
| seen. 1t would be interesting to watch
her essay Rosalind or Juliet. That she
| possesses the temperament seems un-
m1stakably evident Her future looks
bright.
The Charles Brandon of Mr.. Dalton
was just what everybody who had wit
messed this actors performance in 1.-The
Sign of the Cross" expected to behold
a Virile, robust Characterization. befit-
| ting such a gallant soldier. Mr.. Dali
ton is one of those actors whom you
shall relish more in the soldier than
| in the scholar" He eXcels rather in
| heroic action than in the making of
! pretty speeches, and as Brandon is
chiefly occupied in saving his sweet
hearts honor by the timely thrust of
his cleaning sword, instead of signing
| soft nothingS in her ear, Mr.. Dalton
| fulfills all the requirements of the role.
| This is not to say that his action is
not dominated by intelligence and an
artistic appreciation of effects, for he
| reads we'll and his action is always ap-
! propriate and convincing.
The comparatively minor role of
| Lady Jane Bolingbroke was tastefully
portrayed by Maude Claire Shaw, and
| Richard Sherman was acceptable as
| Sir Edwin CaskOden.
The rest of the support was mediocre.
| F G. H.