The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-05
ADJUSTMENTS
Providence opera House.

Sir Solomon Solus. Mr.. John L. Wooderson
captain Mouser.. Mr.. William lerance
Mr. Dionysius Dimple Mr.. stuart Robson
(. VIM. Walker Mr.. Henry Bergman
Digges Mr.. Clarence Montaine
John Dinwiddy.... .............M Mr. ), ~ baur
Joseph.... ................Mr Mr.. q. -. Mcintyre
Miss Sarah O'Leary ry.............'.Mrs hopsoh
Mrs tlowcrby =. Miss Grace tranklyn Lynch
Mrs Crisp....... 80. Mrs. Gabrielle Mexican
Miss desperate. ....... Miss Camille Campbell
Susan. Miss Carrie Berg
"Ieap Year" is the kind OF a comedy
that only the strongest aggregation OF
light comedians could make entertaining,
except in spots. Mr.. Robson's company
IS not strong in talent of the kind that
can easily adapt itself to "Leap Year"
The idea of leap Year, is delicionsly
funny but after the elucidation OF that
idea in Act |, the comedy is drawn out
rather tiresomely 10 the pleasurably
anticipated elimination in Act III. The
fault lies partly with the play and partly
with the company and is partly, IL may
be admitted, due to lack of easy famil-
iarity with their work which more re-
hearsals and presentations will of course
overcome.
When Mrs. Flowerby Miss Grace Frank
1yn Lynch) was left widow. Her husband
had provided that she must marry again
within two years or all the estate left her
should go to distant relative. The play
begins at date within few days OF the
expiration OF the time limit. When Mrs.
Elowerby finds herself without any pros
pect of choosing a husband from her
many suitors, and Is, in fact, secretly
in love with Walker (Mr. Berg
mani, the butler of her house,
hold. Her intimate friend, Miss
O'Leary (Mrs. Robson). proposes that as
last resort to save her property, Mrs.
Flowerby marry her cousin, Dionysius
Dimple (Mr. Robson), Miss O'Leary and
Dimple being, however, in love with one
another. The proposition Is presented to
Dimple, who agrees TO go on trial.
as the head OF Mrs. Flowerby's household
with q view TO at least keeping off the dis
tant relative, who is reported to be inn
patiently awaiting the end of the time
limit to seize the estate, and at the same
time give himself and his cousin oppor-
tunity to consider if they can be mutually
happy should they be compelled TO marry
as last desperate expedient.
This Is hatched up in Act and the
trouble to ensue suggests itself. Walker,
the butler, turns out to be the distant
relative in disguise, who has taken this
method TO keep an eye on the suitors of
Mrs. Flowerby, whom he has fallen in love
with, with view to subsequently marry
ing her himself, when he has secured the
properly. Leap Year gives Mrs. Flowerby
. chance to confess TO her butler, before
his identity is disclosed that she loves him.
The balance OF the cast Is made
up OF miscellaneous characters
part OF whom assist in the telling OF the
story and the balance are only loosely as
sociated with its developement. The
piece is exceedingly ''talky" and by no
means continuously bright enough to
make up for its lack of action. Mr..
Robson's part is the only one that seems
to be adapted to the actor or that G e |
actor can adapt himself to. Mr.. Robst n |
ID always funny and the piece is breezy |
enough while he has the stage. Mrs. |
Robson in an Irish character part seems |
far from being at home while |
Mr.. Bergman, capable actor i'm his Gus
tomary roles, can only deal severely with |
= part that requires the most delicate /
treatment to make clear and reason
abIe TO the audience. Mr.. Yerance,
, talented exemplar of old school
comedy. is positively uncomfortable |
in farcicsl part that hSs only the remot-
est connection with the run of incidents /
and Mr.. Wooderson seems equally out OF
his element. Miss Lynch is pretty TO
look at, and with more practice in her
role may make something of it deserving
of more favorable criticism than is at
present possible.
In a word, "Leap Year" is neither
worthy OF the talents OF Mr.. Robson's
company, nor, on the other hand, does
the company seem capable of making a
good thing out OF it. 1t will hardly bring
any new distinction to Mr.. Robson's
repertory.
Tonight and tomorrow afternoon the
Robson people will be seen to better
advantage in Goldsmith's dainty classic,
She Stoops to Conquer" and the en-
gagement will close tomorrow night with
hat more modern Robson classic, "The