The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-10-04
At ST. Paul Theaters

presented with rare finish by Henry
Miller and company of artists who
furnished admirable support.
Joseph Entangled' is the appro-
pirate title of this English importation.
which is an undeniably clever comedy
semi -satirical in tone, polished in die
ton and ingenius in construction. The
skillful touches of humor and polite
cynicism which impaired such a relish
to "The Liars" by the same author,
creation. Indeed. 1t dwells in the same
atmosphere of high society and plays
upon similar emotions:
In Joseph Entangled." the wife is
blameless. Not in word or thought,
much less in deed is she disloyal, yet
IAN amusing little episode" seems to
compromise her hopelessly. Sir Jo-
seph Lacy, a bachelor Of forty, who
had been sutton for Lady Veronas
hand, and has never ceased loving her.
naturally figures in this little episode
The gossiping tongues of friends of
the family entangle them both, and the
Strengthening out process constitutes
the interesting problem of the play 1t
treads on delicate ground, this comedy
but so deity and lightly as to create
no uneasiness. Exquisitely acted as it
was, it aroused the keenest pleasure
and amusement.
Sir Joseph Lacy, happening in Lon
don town one night, is in a predica-
ment, his luggage having gone astray.
CHANGING to pass by the residence of
his friend, Hardolph Mayne and Lady
Verona Wayne. he is hailed by their
butler, knapman, former servant of
his own, who is leaning out of a win
dow. He enters the house at the but
ler's invitation and is informed that the
master and mistress are out of town.
The butler urges Sir Joseph to remain
all night, which he. gladly does, rather
than to go to q hotel minus his lug
gage. He is thereupon shown to the
room of Hardolph Mayne. Some twenty
minutes before this, and while the but
Ter is away, Lady Verona had arrived
Unexpectedly from the country, accom-
panied by her married sister, Lady
Joyce Fanmere. Lady Verona admon-
iSheS the buffers wife to say nothing of
her arrival home, as she intends to re-
turn to OXfordshire the next day. The
scene which enSueS between the sisters
explains Lady Verona's sudden appear
ance She had hurried into London to
save her sister. who had contemplated
elopement and desertion of her hus-
band. The sister, Lady Joyce, departs
from the house and Lady Verona re-
tires to her apartments, after telling
the servant to have breakfast ready at
$3.50. The subsequent arrival of Sir
Joseph is of course unknown to her
and Mrs. Knapman, while Knapman
never dreams that Lady Verona is
home.
The curtain is lowered for three
minutes and rises on the same scene,
with the breakfast table set. Lady
Verona appears and is about to par
take of the morning repast when in
walks Sir Joseph. Their mutual sur
prise at meeting so Unexpectedly is
telrn1 hut for hot ~ q
butler and his wife to behold the two.
While Sir Joseph and Lady Verona
are INDUCING in badinage over their
coffee and sole and buttered toast.
Harry Lavender and his wife call and
are uShered into the breakfast room.
They appear embarrassed not to say
shocked while the real significance of
the situation did not dawn upon Lady
Verona. 1t fairly burst upon her two
| months later, though, when the "epi-
sode" became the talk of the clubs, for
Mr.. and Mrs. Lavender, alas, they
talked.
How the matter reached the ears of
Lady Verona's husband. how Sir Jo-
seph's uncle, a stern and ponderous
professor of moral philosophy, and a
few of his cynical club friends, called
on him to explain, how his story about
losing his luggage was scoffed at and
how the jealous husband was finally
convinced that his wife was faithful,
furnished the matter for the succeed
ing two acts, which riveted the atten-
ton of the spectators.
Unqualified praise may justly be be-
slowed upon Mr.. Miller's portrayal of
Sir Joseph. 1t was a finely conceived,
artistically executed portrayal, marked
by commendable restraint and admir-
able taste For Sir Joseph still loves
Lady Verona and tells her So, but
when she admonishes him not to make
love to her he respects her wishes and
''moderates his transports" Not the
faintest trace of overacting marred his
characterization of this eXacting role,
either in speech or action.
Miss Hilda Spong, in the equally If
not more trying role of Lady Verona
exhibited a spontaneity that carried
conviction. She possesses an agree
able presence and personal distinction.
two endowments that go far toward
commanding attention. That her por-
trayal of the misjudged wife fully met
the histrionic requirements of such
character was amply demonstrated.
1t is a pleasure to speak of the other
members of this company, who con-
tributed admirable characteriZations,
thereby completing symmetrical and
vital dramatic picture. A capital i'm
personation of Jermyn Pyecroft.
he confesses, was afforded by Stanley
Dark. His faultless exterior and rare
enunciation were delight. Walter
Allen was equally convincing in the
comparatively brief role of Prof. To-
field, and Frederick Tiden felicitous to
a degree as the scatter Drained gossip
ing Lavender.
Veritable embodiments of trust
worthy family servants were those pre-
scented by Frederick Tyler and Mrs.
Maggie Holloway Fisher.
The house was not as large as the
play and players merited, nor was it
as demonstrative as it might Justl-
fiably have BEEN +. q. IL.
"The Royal Chef the newest must
cal comedy which Sam S. Schubert
will present at the Metropolitan on
Thursday night has an interesting char
acter. in its organization in the person
of Joseph Allen, who imperSonates the
American admiral Mr.. Allen is a re-
cruit to the profession direct from the
United States cruiser Olympia, the fa-
nous flagship of Admiral Dewey in the
fight at Manila. Mr.. Allen was in that
memorable fight and served that day as
gunners mate. His term of enlist
ment having expired, and not desiring
to re-enlist he called on a friend of
his in New York who was playing an
engagement with a musical company
then in that city. Possessing a good
voice he felt that the stage offered him
better opportunities than any other
pursuit and applied for an engagement
and was satisfied to start. in on the