The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-15
ADJUSTMENTS.
9Th, Fatal Card" Presented at Keith'S
Opera House.

Observation-Disclosures. Nina Ray
5orVHht ..''..''..'.''..''''''''''' -Vfeha hlli'r
AS The NEWS took occasion to remark
last January, when "Tne Fatal Card"
Cham bers and Stephenson's successful
n.elodrama, was frat seen in this city, 1t
is plav OF considerable action, with two
or three very strong scenes, intelligent
dialogue ard interes ting story. reason
enough, OF course, for its popularity. All
melodrama does mt make It's heroes
act go nationally as this enc, and
"The Fntsl Card" can be pronounced
fair sample OF the best in its class. II
docs not differ much from its fellows in
that il employs tho best skill OF the
stageman and mechanic to make its SEN
sational clmaxes effective. Indeed, the
closing scene where the BOND robber
finds the half Of the Jack of clubs, the
fatal card, which be had given the young
Englishman after ne had jeopsrdized his
own life In behalf OF the border despor-
ado, was the thing that esta blished this
play in the hearts of THRILL lovers. II is a
rousing and realistic representation of the
havoc an exploding bomb might make
and IL was excellently managed on the
stage OF Keith's Opera House last even
ing. The ether peculiarly effective scere
was the robbery and murder of the old
man in his London office. From an ar
tstic point OF view and from the stand
point of the best opportunity, this
scene is far and away the
most worthy OF careful attention. Its in
tensity is only limited TO the capacity OF
the players. IL is a powerful depletion
OF the terrible straits criminals come %
naturally. Ii has the elements OF near
pcs ibility and is free from tho oppros-
sive impression of "only play. 'Its strong
touch Is the helpfulDess of women, no
matter what her station In life may be,
when the object of her affection is in
danger. Beginning with the old mans
stormy interview with his son, followed
by the silent attack and murder and theft
OF the bonds and fearful leading away of
one o. the murderers by the woman who
loves him and whose quick appreciation
of danger gets him out OF a terrii le situa-
tion, the scene develops naturally and
and the falling curtain re-
lieves the tension OF a fascinating picture
of crime m ore than once paralleled in real
life.
The audience completely filing Keith's
Opera House last evening was much inn
pressed by the play. his was evidenced
by the ready acceptance OF anything re-
iieving the strain. Altogether 1t will
probably not bo surpassed this season as
a pulls, quickener
The complny was well balanced and
itscontained enough ability to make the
play satisfactory from beginning TO end.
MIR. Howe's fault was rather cloudy ar-
and there was q flavor of insin-
certify about his work generally speak
ing. In brief, he was apparently acting
1t Is unnecessary to throw bricks at sn
audience to make IL understand what the
text SO plainly in 1icstes. lie was con-
ientious, however, and tried to ill the
bill. MIR. Stedman failed to develop all
he gavo a good representation Of the
Western dtsperado in the first act before
the story wts continued in England. Ho
Is TO bo commended, however, for not
o osersciing. Mr. julian had the taint OF
over sccontuation and made the bank
robDrr's pal toe white-facod and too
Otherwise il was a strong
impersonsiion. Mr.. Bennett was refresh
ing and his comedy was bright, cloar-cut
md consistontJ This Young man may ne
relied upon TO give good account q
himself professionally IL he remains on
the stage. Mr.. Turner's INTERPRETATION
was satisfactory. Miss Belle Gilborps
rlaying excellent. Miss Cooac, Miss
Julian ana Miss Vislsire wero also satis-
factory.
"rho Fatal Card" will be played all tho
week. including the regular mstinees.
The entire act music by Director Loven-
berg and orchestra adds TO the pleasure of
a visit 20 this theater.