The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-10
Providence Opera House.
L'--'-rl'--A

David Wilson, Pudd' 'nhead Frank Mayo
Chambers Arnold DAILY
York Driscoll Frank Aiken
Tom Driscoll Frank Campeau
Howard Pembroke Emmett &. King
Iulgi Cappelo Adolpb klauber
Angelo Cappelo George Halton
Blake, County Sheriff Newton Chsnell
Judge Robinson j.. III. Stephens
swan William :. Gill
Campbell y. Il. Tucker
Deacon Jasper W. Helmsley
Ephraim W. G. Tanner
ko1y Eleanor Moretti
Patsy Lucille Laverne
Ruwy Frances Graham
Hannah, slave Miss Florence Baker
Frank Mayo has played nearly every
thing from Hamlet to Fagin, the Jew,
during his long and honorable career
upon the stage. To the Older theater
goers he is best remem berod as the lead.
ing man of tho strong Boston Thester
stock Company, ara the most prom inent-
ly rememb bered character was his Badger
in 1.-THE Streets of New York, ~ played in
"A two weeks run in the ola Academy OF
Music, beginning January 16, 1866. That
engagement, nearly thirty years ago. made
Mayo lifelong fayorite in this city, and
1t was the first TWO weeks run of single
play known in Providence for many
years-1his sterling nctoc first attracted
national attention by his beautiful char
scterization of "Davy Crockett, play
by which he made fortune, only 10 re-
duce his earnings wcefully by an am BIZ
tious desire 10 put the great tragedy OF
"Macbeth" upon the stage in spl
form. lie played "Macbeth" Wei, but
the popuace did not take kindly TO il,
and the actor returned TO "Davy Crock
EFT" He has mad other plays and has
always been received favorably in the
public eye.
Mr.. Mayo's admirers were delighted in
the Providence Opera House last evening
for they saw him equipped with the best
play il has been his good fortune to pos
sess, and one in which he will surely
make great deal of money, because IL
appeals strongly TO that large class or
theat.r-goers who only desire amusement,
caters TO the discriminating patron OF
the drama by its intrinsic worth, and sat-
isfies the student of plays by Its literary
merit and cleverness, and the best of ii
all is that Mr.. Mayo has wrought this
welcome addition to the stage himself. 1t
is largely the product of his own brain
and the work illustrates the fact that
Mr.. Mayo has won place in the authors
field as well as in the actors domain.
1t seems remarkable that the opportu-
nifty for the playwright or adapter that
Mark Twain's story offered had not been
discovered before, because the material
was open to the whole field when "Pud-
un head Wilson" was issued in hook
form. Mr.. Mayo has elaborated
Mark Twain's work, developed
its dramatic possibilities and has
American stage at the present time. Ii
is not fiawless, however, but il is so far
ahead of recent productions OF play
wrights that its draw back of disclosing
the who lie scheme before the play is fin
ished ana telling the story over again
can be forgotten in the engrossing i'm
terest of the sensible action, fine plot aud
natural and probable sequence OF events
leading up to the disclosure of the mix
ing OF the babies and the exposure of the
villain.
The play illustrates forcibly the fact
that "blood will tell" Children are
changed in their infancy. The pure
white child is reared as a slave and the
child with negro blood usurps mis- place.
The negro mother is indirectly respon-
sible for this by changing a necklace
which is considered the only distinguish
ing thing. Mothers in general might re.
sent this, but IL makes a good start for
the play and eXcites widespread interest
at once. The fate of the mother and the
changed infants become an absorbing
theme. Blood will tell. The white child
Is beloved by ali and the ether turns out
TO be thief and would be-murderer.
Th, unknown father or grandfather, or
some part OF the Inheritance, IL made
manifest i'm the usurper.
Pudd'nhead Wilson, a simple-mennered
and unobtrusiye lawyer, solves the mys-
terry by his science OF thumb spots and
the association OF events coming under
his observation. The story il delight
iully direct and the whole play is charm
ing!y convincing.
Every character in ho cast is peculiarly
interesting. some OF them are unique,
and with two exceptions all are lovnblo.
Even the unfortunate slave mother ex-
cites sympathy. f
Pudd'nhcad Wilson, himself, IL de-
lightful ana Mr. Mavo plays tho part
with the skill born OF his iong actor life.
10 is stage creation ccmllcte II detail
with an mosphcrc irom which there -
no escape Inc player is forgotten, and
the character dominate the intelligence.
Miss Moretti was remarkably success.