The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-24
Metropolitan
s. ssMrs. Black Is Back

i For the first time in several seasons,
the most popular Of all American come
diennes, May Irwin, makes her appear
ance at the Metropolitan in the trans
continental comedy triumph, "Mrs.
BLACK Is Back The engagement is
for one week, and begins tonight.
81 Edward E. Pidgeon says in his re-
view in the New York Press:
s Broadway is glad Mrs. Black is
Back Boston saw her first, but New
York will hold her for while, judg-
ing from the tremendous home greet
ing she received in the Bijou theater
last evening, when, in the plump per-
sonality of May Irwin, she stepped be-
fore large and friendly audience. The
ing dialog for several minutes. Miss
Irwin, indeed, has come into her own
again, after an absence of two years
From the big towns incandescent aisle,
5where for SO long she reigned the I'M
disputed queen of comedy and grooming
coon melodies A jaded metropolis
gives thanks to her and to George v.
Hobart, whose combined labors have
made Mrs. Black Is Back the bright,
breezy entertainment it is. It is one
of the cleanest, funniest, snappiest and
tinklingist conglomeration of comedy
and cleverness the season has had, was
the verdict of the veteran theater-goers
who thronged the playhouse last night.
Looking ten years younger, and still
possessing all her old-time magnetism
and effective knack Of song reading,
whether the subject be sweetly senti-
mental or reckless ragtime, Miss Irwin
carried off the honors, altho surrounded
by a company that was exceptionally
good.
sG {" Mrs. Black Is Back is founded
on tiny little lie, which Mrs. Black
In moment Of vanity tells her hus-
band regarding her age. She is mar
fried second time and as she has a
son by her first husband, it is neces-
sary to subtract seven years from his
age, altho he really is an athletic young
giant Of IL, away in college in England.
There the lad is smitten with violent
iuvenile passion for young American
girl, who, unknown to him, is the young
est sister of his stepfather. He follows
her home and finds her visiting his
mother. That woman is driven to the
verge Of insanity by the complications
winch pie up Inlu uef eHuedVoI u
keep her secret from her husband, who
IS the professor in young woman Is
academy near by. To add to her worry
she is pursued by teacher of physical
culture, to whom she owes several hun
Edred dollars and the son, likewise, is
hunted by Mexican card-sharp, who
has swindled him on the ocean steam
ship and demands the mother make
good the boys I. O. U. under penalty
of appeal to Professor Black. Pelion
seems piled upon Ossa to crush her be-
. fore the unraveling process begins, but
once under way the plot works out with
a comic celebrity that is one long laugh
Miss Irwin contributed several catchy
songs, which are bound to become i'm
+,mensely popular. Those Of the clever
company who deserves especial mention
are Jane Burby as Mrs. Black s heiress
sister, and May Donohue, whose Irisf
character bit as the resigning cook was
one Of the many enjoyable features Of
a rare EVENING" wiz.
Miss Irwin will sing her latest roper
tory of new comedy songs, which viii
abe heard in this city before New York