The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-09
At st. Paul Theaters

A telling sermon, eloquent with sem
timent and favored with irresistible
hun1or, is "A Message From Mars the
drama presented at the Metropolitan
last night by Charles Hawtrey and his
company. 1t tells the story of the
transformation of selfish into an un-
selfish nature in a vastly diverting
manner. Its sentiment is real, it's wit
spontaneous and its lesson, for this is
play with a lesson, sound and valu-
able. And how entertainingly it is
taught
The play breathes the spirit of Dick
ems Christmas Carol" that marvel
Gus tale of the regeneration of the
grasping, greedy, grinding Scrooge,
though IN the play, the man who is
saved is genteel individual of wealth
with a penchant for astronomy instead
of crusty old banker.
{ Mr. Hawtrey plays this incarnation
OF human selfishneSs, Horace Parker,
With a fidelity to nature not often OBJ
served in these our actors" A player
more unconventional in speech and ac-
ton freer from palpable artif1ce and af-
recitation in gesture, voice and attitude
than Mr.. Hawtrey, is not recalled
Ihough his voice is neither rich nor
sonorous, but is pitched rather high.
and is otherwise quite ordinary, yet
every speech he makes counts. SO di-
rect, straightforward and spontaneous
is his delivery. The art of the finished /
actor is conxineinglyeexemp in Mr.. 4
Hawtrey's denotement of the gradual
change the character undergoes under
the pressure of the circumstances and
experiences the spirit of his dream
complies him to undergo
The supernatural character of the
play, Invisible to everybody save Hor-
ace Parker, is sThe Messenger From
Mars. This role was impressively
PLAYED by Henry j. Hadfeld
The first appearance of The Messen-
tended by spectacular demonstrations
almost startling in character. The
scene that ensues between the Martian
and Horace Parker is rich with com
edy. Indeed every salient point in the
play is impressed through an appeal
to the sense of wit or hulnor, instead of
addressing the emotions.
Horace Parker, having broken his
promise to accompany his fiancee and
his aunt to dancing party on cold
and snowy night, and otherwise ex-
hIbit1ng the acme of petty selfshness,
sits down to read an astronomical dis
QUESTION on the possibility of the planet
Mars being inhabited. The lamplight
fails, and Parker, turning the maga-
zine aside, begins to mediate in total
darkness.
suddenly thunder storm is in evi-
dence. The wall of the house melts
away and the figure of a tall man in
blaze sof light is seen approaching. He
walks into the room, down to the front
OF the stage and addresses. Parker,
aroused, also comes down to the front
and then ensues the conversation that
gives the play its character
The messenger reveals himself as an
1nhabitant of Mars doomed for a crime
he had committed to walk the earth
until he could accomplish the saliva
ton of the most selfish man upon it.
Therefore he had visited Parker. who
was considered to be that man. Parker
resents this bold arraignmeIft and rushes
toward the intruder, when the Mar
tan raises his arm. Parker staggers
back, while the tables, chairs and other
furniture in the room dance up and
down, much to the dismay of Parker
and the amusement of the spectators
The messenger then announces that
Parker must go out into the storm
with him and be cured Of his selfish
ness A sample of the satirical dia-
logue here is afforded by the mes
senger's use of the word "Otherdem"
NOtherdom? What's that?" inquiries
Parker.
It's word we have in Mars, signi-
tying the absolute antfthesis of selfish
ness You haven't a word on Earth
that does that"
"Oh, yes we have" replies Parker.
What is it?" asks the messenger.
Altru1sn, but very few know it's
meaning, responds Parker.
Parker accompanies the messenger
out into the storm, and his experiences
form the second act. He is taken to 4
the vicinity of the residence where
his sweetheart and aunt are attend
ing {. dance. With wave of the Mar
t1anS hand, the wall of the house be-
comes transparent and Parker hears
himself criticised and denounced for
his selfishness. He is made to view /
poverty and distress and compelled to
give all the money in his pockets, some 4
ESQ. to poor woman whose hus-
band is run down. He does it all un-
willingly, however, and pleads to be
allowed to go home. But the mes
senger is relentless, and finally visits
Parker with dire. misfortune. The
evening papers announce the failure of
his banks a fire destroys his residence
and magnificent library and suddenly
ne is transformed into penni1ess, rag
ged beggar. This proves too much. 4
His nature undergoes a change. He
offers aid to a dying tramp. The mes
senger from Mars has won a victory
The third act discloses Parker asleep
in his chair. He awakes, and, like
Scrooge, is transformed into kind,
generous; unselfish man.
The metamorphosis is complete
Mr.. Hawtrey is aided by capable
company. The role of Minnie Tenn
plar, the sweetheart of Parker, is
pleasingly played by Miss Mona Harri-
son. The character of a tramp is ad-
mirably portrayed by Fred Thorne.
Miss Hetta Bartlett, in the role of
Parker's aunt, was a trifle too loud Of
speech. albeit she acted with unmis-
taxable sincerity.
The long enga gements in New York
and London which this play has enjoy
ed are readily understood by a con-
temptation of the performance.
IF. G. H.
The Female Detectives at the Grand
The so-called comedy-drama at the
Grand this week is a mere excuse TO
exploit a couple of female inperson-
ators. 1t is poor excuse. During the
third act the Russell brothers present
their vaudeville stunt, 'The Irish Serv-
GirIH he io1f