The Saint Paul globe., 1904-04-15
At St. Paul Theaters

NouCH d welcome cOnlDlnatIOn OF CleV-
er dramatic material and competent
exponents of the histrionic art as was
afforded at the Metropolitan last even
ing in the presentation Of Lord and
Lady Algy" by William Faversham and
company is too seldom YOuchsafed to
local Audiences.
Perhaps st. Paul has no right to
complain, because 1t doesn't always get
the best Judging by the size of the
audience, it certainly has not. Empty
chalrs may doubtless be justified with
Sucn April weather" as was inflicted
on this city last night, but not as
many as were in evidence upon this
rare occasion.
Of R. c. Cartons comedy drama of
English high life" as the programme
des1gnates it, there is no need to speak
in extensO, as it is not entirely new to
local theater-g -goers. That it is unde-
n1ably clever in point of skillfulness Of
construction, easy, natural flow Of
dialogue and apt repartee, the audi
ences of London, New York and the
other large centerS Of English speaking
people have long ago conceded It is
play of atmosphere, that of the racing
track, Notwithstanding all its scenes
are indoors, as we'll as that of the So
ciety whose foibIeS, insincerities and
troubles it's depicts.
AS presented at the Metropolitan
last evening it was a constant we'll
spring of unallOyed pleasure Acted
as 1t was by competent players, whose
aim seemed to be to exploit the author,
to reveal his work rather than detract
attention from it to their own indi-
Vidualities, the result was the COM
posite harmonious whole, which makes
the theater a delight to normal folks.
The story of Lord and Lady Algy"
need not be repeated here. That it
deals with threatened marital infidelity
might be urged against it by the
purists who make wry faces at the
suggestion of sin, but in that the of
fense is only threatened and is wash
ed away, without leaving a stain, even
those pur1StS must admit that the play
teaches a salutary lesson, without Of
Tending the most sensitive Olfactories.
Many years have elapsed since Mr.
Faversham has visited the Northwest
too many years indeed. Here is an
actor whose personality is most agree
able and whose art c0mpels admira-
ton. The utter absence of self
SclouSneSs which cfaracterizeS every
word and action in his impersonation
of the sporty English lord, his man
Iy, graceful bearing, his pleasing, nice
Iy modulated voice, his mastery of the
art of repoSe, commend him as a we'll
equipped, convincing artist. His de-
livery of the aside speeches, meant
only for the ears of the audience, vet
necessarily heard by everybody on the
stage, is invariably effective, another
demonstration of his histrionic equip
ment, often lacking in players other
wise proficient.
OF course Lord Algy has everybody's
sympathy, as every good fellow must
who is so misunderstood, but that
should not detract one whit from the
cOldeSt estimate of Mr.. FayerSham's
acting of the role. 1t must not be for
gotten that Lord Algy is drunk
throughout the entire second act, rep
reSenting fancy dress ball. The best
man on earth hardly shines when la
boring with a potent jag, but Mr.. Fa-
versham, at the worst, only makes you
sensible of the fact that Lord Algy has
''dined heavily" and Wined trif1e too
much. He accOmplishes the difficult
task of being very funny without be-
ing disgusting. something that requires
a refined art, even when it is all make
believe.
And then in the last act, when Lord
Algy is dOubly SObered by the loss of
all his money on horse race, as we'll
as the lapse of time, how we'll attuned
the actors voice to the expression of
remorse, when he forbids his COM
paniOn to read the newspaper account
of the Derby, in which his horse wreck
ed his purse.
While the second act, with its fancy
dress ball, the tipsy Lord Algy dressed
as the Duke of Marlborough, the in
Sanely jealous husband in a black mask
the simpering old woman in the attire
of Little Bopeep, is ludicrously funny,
the next and concluding act is by all
odds the strongest. 1T is here that Lord
and Lady Algy by their presence of mind
prevent a domestic catastrophe and
restore a discontented wife to her
doubling husband.
Mr.. Faversham is surrounded by
most efficient supporting company.
Miss Julie Opp in the role of Lady
AlgerOn contributes the proper atmos-
phere to the English wife, devotee of
the turf who lives apart from her
husband, because they disagree as to
the merits of the race horses and the
fiavors of Egyptian and Turkish ciga-
rettes, but who always keeps a strict
rein on herself.
Another admirable Characterization
is afforded by f.. Y. Baekus, as Brabazon
Tudway. the elderly and Jealous hus-
band, Mr. BaczuS is a versatile actor,
who invariably imparts color and dis
tinct individuality to his portrayals.
His impersonation of the clown In
Twelfth Night over decade ago,
was a proof of his quality.
Percy Lyndal was thoroughly salts
flying in the role of Lord Algy's hypo-
critical brother for whom the former