The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-15
At St. Paul TheaterS


Nance Oldfeld in Charles Reade's ex-
qulsite one act play of that name-per-
maps the most delicious curtain raiser OF
English creation.
The comparison is inevitable for al
though several other actresses of note
have essayed this role. Miss Terry's char
who witnessed as the most buoyant most
spontaneous and most human.
Happily this is one of those instances
IN Wnlch comparison is not odiOuS. On
me contrary, il is happy, in that Miss
Crosman Illuminated the character with
as radiant light. touched it with as
oeilcate finesse, and impaired as agree
able and charming a personality to the
role as her admirable English sister ac-
treSS ever did
The dialogue of this brilliant curtain
raiser teens with sallies of wit and shafts
OF satire and sarcasm at the expense of
those benighted folks who decry the stage
and its disciples
1t scintillates with the epigrams of the
famous Nance Oldfield. the tragedienne of
the Drury Lane theater, who like many
tragic player is a comedienne off the
To this highly interesting individual
VINO, like David Garrick i'm the play of
that title. promises to disenchant a stage
struck lover. Miss CrOsman brings a fas-
clnatng personality. united with surprising
nnlmetlc aoillty. rich and melodious
voice: modulated with musical cadences.
INFINITE grace of action and variety of ia
cal expression Here is without question
comedlenne of rare quality. Her Spon-
tanelty OF speech and action make both
seem unstudied and unprecedented The
mechanism of her art-without which it
could not make itself felt-is never pisi-
Die III Is so completely hidden as to
actress uses no art at ALL" Therein lies
the ineffable charm of Miss CroSman's
acting. so free is il from palpable artifice
or discernible effort or affectation so viva
clous. animated. spontaneous is every look
every word. every action There Is in
splralon for painter in every pose. for
the pose never betrays an iota of the
sef-consciouSness that mars the PLAYER
who seems to see the spectators across
the footlights
The bOunteous comedy that Miss Cros-
man radiates is most captivating in the
scenes with the blunt old attorney from
the country. who implores Nance to cure
his son OF infatuation for her. That the
crusty old man should have broadened his
narrow views of play actresses is in
evitable after contact with such a genial
and brilliant personality
Excellent support was accorded Miss
CroSman by William Herbert in the char
acter of Nathan Oldworthy, the country
lawyer. Addison Pitt in the role of his
son Alexander. who wrote the poetic trag-
and Fanchon Campbell, as Susan Oldfield
the cousin of Nance. with greater his
trionic ambitions than talent.
10 give the spectators a taste of her
Crosman appeared a lovelorn French
t eTIOs >, acts duration ts entitled Mad
W. k cIiford and nde not work an of 9rree M5E
or wholesome episode either Madeline
De Bray Is celebrated artist, of intense
Britisher. diplomat of exasperating
sang froid. which he exhibits in most
brutal fashion by informing his sweet
heart OF eight years standing that he is
going back TO England to wed his wealthy
cousin. In order to further his political
ambition. He covets power and money
and coolly informs Madeline that it Is bet
ter So alludes to the time when he used
to love her. but just once confesses he
sun loves her. moved by the sympathetic
chords she extracts from her piano. He
iOlds ner IN his arms, and then starts to
IeaVe 10 catch his train on the way to
England. But Madeline has locked the
door and secured a gliStening revolver
which she levels at him with deadly de-
liberation, informing him that he Is not
going to England. that his gray eyed
1ancee VIII never see him again, as she is
going TO shoot him. The EngliShman
Still aggravatingly calm asks permission
10 write two letters TO straighten out his
anairs, and requests that she mail them
right after she has killed him. 1t is ac-
corded; While he writes Madeline stands
the other side of the stage aiming the
gun at his back. But the strain proves
TOO much for the woman's heart When
her English lover finishes his letters and
races her. she can't pull the trigger So
she unlockS the door and lets him go
which he does as coolly as you please
whereupon she picks UP the revolver and
Ine curtain rails. You hear shot. the
curtain ascends, and Madeline is PROSTATE
on the floor with the bullet she had in
tended for her lover in the heart he had
wrecked
1t leaves a bad taste in the mouth I'm
spite or some philosophical dialogue. but
IL serves TO demonstrate Miss Crosman's
versatility. Without the aids to disguise
the male player has. the actress neverthe-
less succeeded in presenting a personality
totally different from that of Nance Old
neId. IL IS this ability so rare in ac-
tfesses that distinguishes Miss Crosman
and marks her as uncommon. Her bean
ing. demeanor, expression and voice were
those OF the ardent emotional nature of
the eXcitable French player as distIn-
gulshed from the genial, sympathetic. vet
sarcastic and witty English actress.
h Reeves Smith played the cold, I'M
responsive British diplomat with admir-
able repose and icy Indifference.
Miss Crosman will appear as Mistress
Nell at the matinee today and repeat the
double bill tonight, concluding a memo
advantage of. F q IA
Once in long. long while the perfect
combination is realized of mighty musi-
clan In an exalted mood and a rarely re-
ceptlVe audience. 1t was realized last
night at the Central PRESBYTERIAN church
where Ysaye. the Belgian violinist. played
III there was one present in that gathering
VINO Jailed TO appreciate the great good
fortune that was his, dead indeed must
be his SOUL 1t is improbable. however,
that there was such a one: for nor once
throughout The programme did any sug-
gestlon OF disturbing element obtrude
itself. "N0
The playing of Ysaye in a less inspired
MOOD might invite critical ANALYSIS: such
playing as was heard last night defies
analysis and holds in allegiance the critical
Iaculty. As sane genius in his way as
shakespeare and one with as noble n
philosophy of life is this puisSant master
OF the bow. A great man, a man who an
parently feels much and who understands
much that il is not permitted the average
mortal TO understand-that is the impress
sion Hsaye makes. Power and dignity are
expressed in the poiSe of his leonine head
HIS face. strong, yet benign i'm contour is
wonderfully expressive as il bends over
the fiddle, that thing of wood and hair
and strings from which he draws so
thrilling. SO marvelouSly human a tone
NOT a suggestion of the decadent genius
IS there IN either his appearance or in his
music, All of those elemental emotions
tnat lie within the province of music to
portray, he portrays. but there is aspira-
tion IN the fiercest of them and dignity in
the llShteSt. And not a mannerism is
there TO detract. not a hint OF claptrap to
offend. Before the Belgian draws a single
note from his violin the moral and mental
worth of the man makes itself felt and
when the music does begin, so close an
pears TO be the sympathy between instriI-
ment ana musician, that one is sure both
are finding the happieSt and completest
expression in the golden tone
1Saye IS past master in the mechanics
OF MS art-hlS auditors are impressed