The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-09
HENRIETTA cROSMAN AT THE
METROPOLITAN


Playgoers are naturally expecting a
treat at the Metropolitan this week
when Henrietta Crosman will make
her first appearance in this city as q
star, an event for which she has
chosen three plays which display her
genius at it's best.
Few offerings of the season have at
tracted more attention than the visit
of Miss CroSman. Her fame and pop
ularity have created a general desire
on the part Of theater patrons to see
her in this city, and now that the op-
portunity is offered they will sure take
advantage of it. Miss Crosman stands
in the lead among American stars and
is considered one of the most gifted
condolences on the English speaking
stage. To her credit is a series of dis
tinct triumphs. Such a favorite is she
in New York that she has spent the
last five years in that city with the
exception of limited appearances in
Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and
Chicago.
1t is matter of qualification that
during her week at the Metropolitan
this city an opportunity to see her in
more than one of her characters, and
TO judge of the rare versatility with
which fame credits her. Tomorrow
night she will appear as Nell Gwyn in
the famous comedy Mistress Nell"
which made such a pronounced hit in
New York that It ran for two seasons.
The author, George c. Hazelton, is said
to have produced one of the cleverest
comedies ever written by an American
dramatist.. Mistress NelP' gives Miss.
Crosman every opportunity to reveal
the delightful comedy attainments
which are hers in marked degree.
The character is fascinatingly original
and possesses happy combination Of
appealing qualities. The Nell Gwyn
of Miss Crosman's is merry, mischie-
vous, Sparklingly bright, and at the
same time generous and affectionate.
The swift change of moods, all allur-
ing and appealing, are of infinite
charm.
The comedy itself is said to be pro-
life in bright lines, interesting situa-
tiOns and striking character portrayal.
The narrative holds close attention,
and begins with the meeting between
King Charles XVI and the Irish actress,
Nell GwyD, who aWakens an infatua-
ton. Distrustful of his attentions,
Nell masquerades as a youth, Adair,
and invades a masked ball at which
Charles is a guest. To sound his 10y
atty the fictitious youth speaks slight
ingly of Nell and quickly finds the
kings sword drawn in her defense.
She chances upon a conspiracy in which
her rival, the duchess of Portsmouth,
is plotting for France against England,
and in the end saves the king from
becoming entangled. NelPs methods
are always audacious, and roguishness
runs with her most serious purposes,
mingling delightful humor with dra-
matte environment. An attempt to bias
Charles against Nell by connecting her
with young Adair is thwarted when
the girl steps forth in boys attire, prov
Ing that she is none other than the
youth himself There is not a dull mo-
ment in Mistress Nell"
The play is Of course a story of
King Charles, and it introduces many
of the persons who were prominent in
his reign. There are four acts and five
scenes. The first act shows the green
room Of the Kings theater on a first
night; the first scene of the second act
is st. James park before NelPs terrace,
the second scene, the Blue Boar inn.
The third act is the ballroom at Ports
mouth and the fourth NelFs boudoir at
midnight.
Mistress Nell" will be presented
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday nights, and at the Saturday
matinee.
On Friday and Saturday nights Miss
Crosman will appear in the double bill
of Nance Oldfield' and Madeline"
Here the artist gives an evidence of her
versatility and range. Nance Oldfield"
is a one act comedy in which Miss
Crosman is the embodiment of whole
some merriment and manifold graces.
Madeline" is a play demanding pas
slonate Intensity. 1t was written by
Mrs. w. K. Clifford Of London