The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-06
FROM THE PROMPT SIDE.
Edwin Booths Last Appearance on thl
Stage Has Been Made.
Who WILL Be HIS SUCCESSOR +?
Question That IL Not Easily Answered.
Interesting Gossip About Plsywrights
and PIayers-New Dramas That Will
be Produced the Coming Season.

Wnile IL IL Withln the poSslDltltlts tnat
the end may be some way off, it is certain
be never will again appear upon the
stage. In Providence Mr.. Booth has
always been a great favorite, and that
large part of the community which
takes an intelligent interest in the drama
and it's exponents willregret exceedingly
the close of a career which has afforded
them so much pleasure ana profit. As
TO Mr.. Booths qualities AZ an actor there
may be diffsrent opinions. but that he
was easily first among Shak- -sp ARA
pay, rs will be conceded While he
lacked the force aud virile strength OF
some of those who Immediately preceded
him and while his physique was not OF
the robust order, he made.up for thes, de-
ficiences by finish and huency. His was
essentially an artistic tempe rment and
his most brilliant effects were secured.
not SO much by sudden and illumiuing
flashes OF genius AS by careful
Jainstaking and sympathetic study. Iu-
deed OF the rugged vehemence that char
acterized his fathers work there was
not the slightest trace in his impersona-
tions, for hts aim seemed to be to con-
Quer by polish and refinement and by
subtle distinctions In reading, and in this
he succeeded to degree little shore OF
marv lous. This preiominating quail
ity OF smoothness at times no doubt gave
neither deep nor lasting. Perhaps the
most serious blemish In Mr.. Booths i'm
presentations was lack OF spontaneity,
but that was soon outweighed by the
mauy beautiful features that appealed
to the mind, ear and eye.
e..
With Mr.. Booth off the stare forever
the question naturally arises, "who will
take his places" 1t is difficult one to
answer. Indeed, 1t is TO be d ubt
whether any considerable number OF
people could agree upon the same actor.
For my part cannot call one to mind
who, all things considered. In any way
approaches Mr.. Booth. Mr.. Keene is a
sterling actor and possesses talents OF a
high order, but his efforts are marred BY
crudeness aud want or finish. His IL,
however, probably the best impersona-
tion Of Richard III. that can be seen. As
stage picture. Ia all the minntise OF
part it is uuequalled; but his reading Is
sloveuly aud iamentably lacking in in.
telligence. However, Mr.. Keene Is still
a comparatively young MAJ aud by hard
study aud perseverance NAV vet be re-
.rded by being recognized as Mr..
Booths successor.
The playwrIghts are all very busy pre-
pairing yor next season. David Belasco,
" no has recently recovered from COM
bined attack OF la grippe aud pm .um onia
has new play nearly finished. William
ii. Gillette is rewriting Ninety Days"
wbile Sardou 10 engaged la constructing X
q drama OF the Fedora patl cru for
Bernhardt. Anson Pond has just com.
'pleted melodrama called Conspiracy"
aud Charles Dickson threatens e. name
his ne comedy "a Damned Fool" Dut
las secured all the free advertising that
tue discussion Of the proposed title by
the newspapers will give ham.
III. S. Taylor says he has been offered
t20, 900 for a half interest in the Spa OF
Life" lurid melodrama which was
dragged into popularity by | bri ige OF
human bodies He also declares that
three months ago not "a manager could
be found In New York will " TO pro-
duce the play and Edwin Thorne, form
erly Of the stock company at the rrovi-
dence Opera house, who went into the
enterprise backed out at the last moment
because he feared 1t woui be failure.
-.
Manager G.. f. Lothrop ana family
have returned from their rip to Mexico
and California, much benefited In hea th.
-.
"The Last of the Moors," romantic
drama from the pea OF Paul kester, wi |
ue Pfo"uSeu ne~o SS"So" W A'eAahuer
Salvini.
Walker Whitesde, who recently played
"Hamlet" in keith's Union Square the
ater, New YORK, Is a sou vi the late
Il. q. Whiteside OF Denver.
~.
Ullie Akerstrom who will finish a
weeks engagement at Keith's Opera
house this evening will have a new play
next season, entitled The Egyptian
Dancer"
Among those who announce their in
tention of returning to the stage next
season are Minnie Palmer. Maggie
Mitchell, Helen Dauvray and L)tta.
~.
The Rev. DIR. Bannister Of Huntsvilla,
Ala, is more sensible thau some of his
pspfreres of the cloth. He gives advice to
hfs congregation as to what theatrical
company's are deserving of their patron
age and those that are not.
-.
Ellen Terry, Henry Irving's leading
lady, IS now mother-inlaw. Her only
son. whose stage name is Gordon Craig,
was recently married.
-.
While playing in Jersey City recently,
Wilson Barrett extended All invita- ion
to the preachers of the place To attend
the performances, and he says that only
one Ia twenty declined.
-.
Jack McAuliffe the actor-puQilist, has
brou hit suit against the Is lttmure aud
Ohio Railroad company 3, recover al 900
damages He says the road miscarried
his baggage and he lost a matinee In
Chicago in consequences.
Baroness" Bla q, who was recen ly
stranded ia San Francisco, has worked
her way as Tar Est as Chicago, where IL
is said she will soon marry a ricn aud
sportive Californian, Thomas Williams
by name.
James X. Keane, for the past four
years valued member of G.. Il. LotE-
top's dramatic forces closes at Paw
tuoxe Nav 15 He oes TO Harris's
theater. Pittsburg. Pa. to put on
dramas.
Miss Evelyn Knapp Of Lcthrop's COM
pany as recently received small for