The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-12
Providence Opera House.

Bridget, n housekeeper. Emily Dodd
A serious play with serious subject in
terpreted by a company of trained and
capable players with superior stage dress
ing and sensible attention to details
claimed serious consideration in the Prov
idence Opera House last evening from q
large, we'll informed, sympathetic and
generous audience.
Sydney Grundy's play entitled "Sowing
the Wind" London and New York sue
cess OF long duration, was somewhat
familiar to the many who delight in the
drama and make it point to be well read
upon the subject.
However much pleasure was anticipated,
the completeness of the performance and
the skillful handling of a rather risky and
delicate social subject by the playwright
was delightfully."- beyond most sanguine
expectation.
The sncient law that the sins of the
parents will be visited'upon the children
was brought strongly to mind, and the
sowing of the wind and reaping OF the
whirlwind had powerful and impressive
illustration.
The early life of an abandoned illegiti-
mate child, her flight from scenes OF
shame, her struggle to arise above the in
fiuence OF sin, her love and sacrifice
could have been Extensively sug-
gested by the author as in "The
Second Mrs. Tanqueray" or "The
Crust of Society,"" but it wasn't.
On the contrary 1t was offered in the most
delicate manner and the story became al
most fascinating. Instead of repugnapce
there was sympathy, deep concern and in
telligenss acceptance OF truth told as II by
q - lOua
dominated mother. To be sure the drama
tist had to lapse into theatres in certain
situations and in sections of the
dialogue and make his cameo
cut characters talk as they frequently do
on the stage, but this was submerged by
the general excellence Of this remarkable
play which forms a study for those who
have arrived at the discriminating age.
The play is the thing first and foremost
and q strong play demands a strong COM
pany. Sowing the Wind" is properly
equipped In this respect. Adding to the
pleasure of the mind was the visual en-
joyment of picturesque costumes in
vogue early in this century, the psri cd in
which the story runs. The stage
suggested old-fashioned prints, whose
time-stained edges lovers of art love to
thumb again and again, because of their
never failing interest. Without excep-
tion, the players were all attired in
unique, rich and eye-engaging costumes.
1t was to be expected that the player
who made such strong impression as the
Earl Of Dorincourt in Little Lord
Fauntleroy," would be acceptable as the
SHINING father in this play. Mr.. Gill;
mour is without peer in the delineation
of fine old men, and his Brabazon was ar
tistic to the fullest extent.
Mary Hampton was delightful sur
prise to those who have watched her de-
vcloping career on the stage. Her Rosa
mund was strong, well defined,
clearly comprehended and wonder
fully earnest. The actress was
forgotten in the impersonation, and but
for rather theatrical reading now and
then the part would have been
well nigh flawless. Thomas whiffen
seemed to have lost his individuality in
the impersonation OF the meddlesome
friend. In fact each player seemed to be
just suited TO the part in hand.
"Sowing the Wind" will be played all
the week, including usual matinees.