The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-07
TINS NEW PLAY
elem Kettle" Entertained the Provi-
dence Opera House Audience.

Tim Murphy's reputation was priuci- |
pally made by his unique and characteristic
impersonation of old Maverick Brander
in Hoyts farce "a Texas Steer" lie was
everyway equipped for the character and
his success led him 10 believe that an
opportunity awaited him in the dramatic
armament as a star. Mr. Murphy is a
good comedian, but not in any sense a
great one. As matter of fact his talent
does not entitle him to distinction above
many other comedians of the present
time. Hoyt's remarkable talent has been
the means OF making good many players
prominent, ana success achieved
through bis agency has increased the
bulk OF stars materially. Is 1t the play or
the player? Time will tell. AT all events
Murphy has a laudeble ambition TO climb
by his strength and reap the harvest of
his own endeayor and worth.
His appearance, therefore, i'm new play
at the Providence Opera House last even
ing was interesting and a sizable audience
assembled to see 90 Lem Kettle"
1t was a rather uneven performance be-
cause it was quite apparent the company
has been but short time together.
Short halts intruding here and there
disturbed the continuity OF the, action
and stage business, but they will be over
come before long and Henry Guy Carl
tons play and comedian Murphy will
have every opportunity to win
public approval. Mr.. Carleton is a prolific
playwright, and he has put upon the stage
many plays written by contract TO it
the particular talent Of stars. "Lem
Kettle" is one OF them. Ii bears the
mark. Evidence is not wanting to en-
phasize the fact that Mr.. Cartoons repu-
tation as breezy newspaper writer
was well founded. This play
is full of smart paragraphs. Some
of them are surprises, but for the
most part the humor is taken from
the stock room of a newspaper office and
evidently gathered and knit together in a
hurry. There is a heap Of inconsequential
talk and from the very first, after the
characters are seen and the unseen alluded
to, a reference To the program will tell
the conclusion Of the whole play. There
is no dramatic surprise, no particularly
strong situation, beyond the one
where Lem leaves the house of
the woman he loves after being
informed that she is betrothed to an
other, no climax, only string OF Incl
dents smartly brought to pleasant con-
clusion. The material used is familiar.
| A poor inventor is in love with wealthy
] young woman, betrothed to man who is
! the seducer of the daughter OF the hero's
friend, dishonest guardian who
robs his ward and the inventor
of his patent, thereby making
it possible for the twain to come to-
gether, poor but happy in the end. The
wronged girl is brought home, and the
guardian goes to Jail, while nobody
knows what becomes of the seducer. The
play is strong in sentiment. 1t commands
the tribute of a tear and enlists the SYM
1 pathy OF an audience because all men, and
women, too, believe in the justice and
right, love and hope of these true hearted
lovable characters OF rural Delaware
county life, resembling in considerable
degree the effect produced by "The Old
Homestead"
Mr.. Murphy earned two recalls last
evening by his sympathetic and honest
impersonation of the titular character.
| His serious work was the strongest, and
he got his best effect by reposeful power
| and suggestion rather than by action.
| The combination of affairs made his criti-
cs, moments interesting emotionally, and
he always left something to the imagina-
ton of the audience. When Mr.. Murphy
puts his knife Of stage experience into the
play and cuts away its superflous talk and
| pushes forward the excellent opportun-
titles it offers for several characters, he
will have valuable material to increase
his stock OF wealth and add to
his reputation as an actor. Personally
he Is interesting, and whatever ne does
will be of concern to those who love the
| stage. Mr.. Murphy's company is strong
in nearly every particular. Tom j. Reed
/ played the countryman artisticaliy, Geo.
Maccmber impersouated the wicked
/ guardian as though he was dead in earn
est, Clarence Handyside made what he
had to do stand out strong because ne is
a capable player, John e. Ince made
capital tuuky, Miss Sadie T.. Stringham
was an ideal back country hustler with
| powerful gift OF gab and Miss Dorothy
Therrud, Miss Clara Thropp, Miss Lor-
/ raine Dreux and Miss Tholdcr all filled
/ the bill.
elem Kettle " is worth seeing because
| it Will make you feel better and agree
| that it's a beautiful world 10 live in
when there's lots of love and charity.