The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-13
At ST. Paul Theaters

~
1t was fairly good minstrel show
that the patrons of the Metropolitan
witnessed last night-not the best ever
seen on the local boards, nor by any
means the worst The aggregation is
billed as wv. e. Nankeyille,s Consol-
ldated Minstrels, introducing Billy Van,
the Minstrel Man.
The grade Of wit purveyed at minstrel
show is not of the subtle, refined charac-
ter that scintillates throughout the best
OF English comedies. It borders on the
coarse at times, and is invariably of an
obvious character that appeals to the
commonest understanding. Some of the
bon mots exploited last night were not
adapted to parlor recitals or drawing
room conversaziones, but for a mixed
audience gathered to behold minstrel
show they served very well.
Billy van, of course, furnished most
OF the mirth. He told his stories and
sang his songs in that inimitable and
original fashion which tickles the risi-
pliltles of the people so successfully.
one or two of his anecdotes he has told
mere on previous occasions, but most of
them We're fresh, and like those of yore,
provoked much laughter. His parodies.
TOO, proved amusing, for they are not
staie and are ingenious. Vans eccen-
trlc delivery and odd facial expressions
accentuate the comicality of every
thing he says, whether it be in speech
or song. His monologue is the bright
spot in the olio.
A commendable feature of the show
is the ensemble singing in the first
part. The eight voices blend beautiful
iy, an excellence well demonstrated by
the singing of "O1d Heidelberg." ar
ranged as a sextette. Easils the most
pleasing and rhythmical scSo number
With chorus accompaniment was the
song, 'Good-by, Little Girl, Good by
sung by Franklyn A. Bate, high bari
tone. Walter c. Dorsey, whose tenor is
hght, but very high and musical, sang
pleasingly 'The Girl 1 Loved Out in the
Golden Vest
The comic song, Deed Do,' sung
by William j. Evans, with chorus, is a
tuneful melody, favored with the gem
ulne Ethiopian essence. 1t was capi-
tally sung by Mr.. Evans, who executed
some nimble and graceful steps that
enhanced the effect. Mr.. Evans like
wise contributed a pleasing song and
dance in the olio number, Moonlight
in Dixie" Next to Billy Van, he was
the most interesting individual in the
performance. The background of the
Moonlight in Dixie scene-a negro
diversity in which all the singers of the
company participated-was deservedIy
applauded for it's picturesqueness
Jimmy Wall, who sits opposite Billy
Van, is a neat dresser and an easy
dancer, but not noticeably funny or es-
pecially interesting.
Ed Mazier and Mr.. Conley contributed
a fairly entertaining sketch, which
could be curtailed to some advantage,
and the Young brothers, wearing Chi
nese queues and costumes, gave COM
ical and clever acrebatic speciality.
The last act on the programme, enti-
tied "a Darktown Circus" was pre-
sented by Clayton, Jenkins and Jasper,
the last named a sagacious donkey,
who was the sole attraction and exhib-
tied laudable ambition to chew
Messrs. Clayton and Jenkins. Their
act would be far more amusing if the
stupid dialogue were eliminated AS it
is, the donkey achieves the honors.
F. G. H.
The advance sale of seats for the en-
gagement of Jane Corcoran in Pretty
Peggy" at the Metropolitan Sunday
night opened yesterday. Pretty Peg
gy' was presented for five months at
the Herald Square and Madison Square
theaters in New York. Miss Cor
coran's personal success as Peg Wof-
fington as Frances Aymar Mathews
calls the heroine of her play, has been
pronounced. and Andrew Robson as
David Garrick has been equally well
received Miss Corcoran is starring
under the directions of Arthur C. Ais
ton and j. Emmett Baxter.
Maxine Elliott will appear at the
Metropolitan opera house for a half
weeks engagement, commencing
Thursday night, under the management
of Chas. B. Dillingham;, when she will
present the successful comedy by Clyde
Fitch entitled Her Own Way" Mr.
fitch's play tells pretty love story
of human interest which involves cur
rent affairs in Wall street and the for
tunes Of young American soldier in
the Philippines. Miss Elliott's role is
splendid type of young American
woman,-brave, buoyant and sincere
who manages to bring happiness out
of unfortunate conditions through hav-
ing her own way. The play is in four
acts and the action occurs in New York
City.
A melodrama full of thrills describes
s'The Female Detectives" now at the
Grand. The play contains several ex-
cellent vaudeville numbers. But three
performances remain, including mat
inee tomorrow at 2: 80.
Next weeks attraction at the Grand
will be musical comedy, entitled
Mrs. Delaney of Newport" in which
the Gilmore sisters are the stars. The
costumes are said to be very elaborate.
The quaintness of the Gilmore sisters
comedy methods is well known and as
this play gives them unusual oppor-
tunities to display their talents, they
should be seen to more advantage.
Weber's Partisan Widows will un-
doubtedly please the many fair patrons
of the Star who attend the ladies' mat
inee there this afternoon. The large
chorus is we'll drilled and costumed
and the many musical numbers on the
programme are eXcellently rendered.
Carnegie Starts Methodist College
: APPLETON, Wis, Jan; .12-L-Andrew