The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-16
MORRISON IN FAUST.
An Interesting and Impressive Play
Beautifully Staged.

Lewis Morrison came TO town yesterday
and last evening he presented "faust" in
the Providence Opera House.
Morrison is a stranger here. Very few
theater-goers know that he is one of the
most accomplished actors on the Ameri-
can stage and that his production OF
Faust" surpasses anything seen in this
city for year or more.
The audience awoke 10 that fact quickly
last evening. Mr.. Morrison is more
than a fine actor; he is master stage
director, strongly resembling Henry
Irving i'm this respect.
He is player of wide experience and
was for a long time favorite leading
man with stars of the American stage. He
is equipped for the work. His stature,
voice and bearing impresses strongly
and he is as graceful as tiger. His ac-
complishments include the rare gift of
good reading and he conveys
the idea that he is able to
do much more than, is required
OF him. He never gives the impression
that he is at the end of his dramatic rope.
Always sustained, forceful and with APP
parent great reserve force, he moves a bout
the stage a remarkable central figure.
Several years ago Mr.. Morrison identi-
fed himself with "Faust" and now his
name is almost inseparable from that play
by students !of the stage and lovers
OF the drama who keep posted
about leaders in this art. The wisdom
of such concentration is made manifest
by Mr.. Morrison's success i'm other sections
of the country. In his case the play il
not the prime thing, because the actors
individuality dominates the scene.
This concentration has developed the
possibilities of "Faust" wonderfully. IL
is now from a purely spectacu-
lar view point one of the
most interesting things on the stage.
He has broughtto to his aid the wonderful
force of electricity, and the use 10 which
it is put is frequently startling and always
picturesque. There were two scenes last
evening that have never been surpassed in
this city. The garden scene
was charming and the wooing OF
Mephisto and Faust aroused the audience
to high pitch of appreciation. The
scene on thesummit of the Brocken bathed
the stage in fire and its effect was shivery
and startling. This part OF the spectacle
was wonderful in its wealth of electrical
effects and a feeling almost of fear swept
over the house. The picture of the valley
of despair will never wholly fade from
the memory OF those who saw 1t.
Mr.. Morrisonss Mephisto wasn't a
grnning repulsive devil that any fool
would know enough to shun. He was a
graceful, snaky fellow, moving among
weak mortals and charming their souls
to sin in the most friendly and insinuat-
ing way.
With his victims in his grasp he could
revel fiendishly and rave with the glee OF
q madman. Coupling such acting with
such stage effects there could be but one
result, wonderful performance, and
those who saw it made their appreciation
manifest by calling the actor and his asso-
ciates TO the front frequently.
Mr. Morrison has a strong company.
Miss Florence Roberts played Marguerite
like star. She did something beyond
mere acting. She embodied the character
of the hapless girl and held it up to
view clear cut and charming. Edward
Elsner was likewise competent in the
character of Faust, and he interpreted it
with sustained force, ever increasing the
respect of those who looked on. His per-
sonal appearance justified the lovely
worship OF Marguerite. The musical part
OF the spectacle was well done too and
il flaws existed in minor places no heed
was taken Of them. THE NEWS wants to
simply state that il Faust" is not seen a
rare dramatic treat Will be missed. MIR.
Morrison's visit will be brief, ana an OPP
portunity to see him will be offered this
evening and tomorrow afternoon and
evening =