The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-03
As a Sumpluous Stage Spectacle II Sc
cured Communication.

Jacques kOden. n.....'..''.''. hliiou a,,. .i
Lafont. t......,...,.......'...r.'' ,JahSs pa,,oii
Notary. y........,...............,.M M. 9. sherwocd
Attendant. ..................,,.'.Ei Ei l.; barney
Dnc6ess de I.ouvot. t......... Miss Annie Clarke
Marie Bruyset ........ Miss Henrietta watson
Marquis dc Laagucdoc. Miss Charlotte Crane
Countess do la Galotierrs. Miss Nlolet Black
Lonis de (foucourt Miss Madge meadows
Madame Grappn. Miss Alexes leighton
Friends Of olga Nsthersole who want
her to continue on the highway OF sue
cess felt like taxing an axe to her new
play entitled "a Daughter OF France"
n the Providence Opera House last even
ing. Not because the play was urinter-
esiing, bat because 1t was too long. 100
much for the money, so to speak. Nearly
four hours story OF disorder and blood
shed with the star OF the stage liberal
share OF the time seemed unnecessary.
The axe could be used juciciously In
looming of cunsidera bic OF the text and
the shortening would keep the interest
from lapsing now and then as it did last
evening. Generally speaking, the pr ime
in terest centres in Miss Nethersole, and
IL her play is as interesting as herself
and gives satisfy ing scope to her powers,
proitably also on tho end. IL Is not neces-
sarv TO turn a play, allowing q cheerful
! end, into tragedy. The average person
! likes to leave the thcater in happy
! frame of mind, IL they can just as well as
not, and no play ever had better oppor-
| tunity TO satisfy that general demand
| than ga Daughter Of France"
Instead, however, the curtain fell with
| tho hero and heroine dead together In
| the front of the stage. SThe lover had
| been stabbed TO the heart by his dis
| tracted swe etheart ana the unhappy girl
had followed his soul to the great un-
| known with dagger rent In her own
| heart, self-in fictod. Much attention is
paid by the playwright to the question
OF honor. lie attempts to show that
| man should not desert his country in
| ths hour of need to save his sweetheart.
AS this particular lover does not accom-
pIish anyt hing for his country and Is net
| likely to under the circumstances, the
| unfortunate couple could be made to
escEpo with the idea of the hero return
ing and saving the empire later on to
make up fer his generosity in taking
common sense care of his best beloved.
That conclusion would have been accept
able and agreea bio and eyerv ono would
have left the theater In a fairly good
state OF mind,-This was the original
ending of the play. Miss Nethsrsole
changed il for her own purpose and
missed the mark, bat she realizes that
fact and IL IL said she will return to the
happy ending ioea.
Joseph Hetton's romantic dra ma
adapted from the novel "Whcn Greet;
Meets Greek" had few representa-
tions in England under the titles "Ths
| Roll of the Drum" and "When Greek
Meets Greek" Its American title, "a
Daughter of France" however seems to
be the most appropriate. 1t is pictur'
esuue in costumes and scenery, brim fui
| of hair breadth escapes, heroic conduct
patriotism. and overmsstering love. II
fills the vision completely. ana Is psculi-
arly interesting in many ways. VIII er
trimmed to it's proper proportions 1t viii
become a popular addition to Mis-
Nethersole's repertory and add fall
share to her pecuniary profit Tbs play
begins with the uprising in France
deals with the horrors of the Revelation
and ends before the execution o
Robespierro. fits story is OF the futile
efforts of two aristocrats and lovers Il
escape from the fiendish persecution O
the bastard brother OF the hero, leader
OF the revolutionists,a and the tragic deatf
OF all three. 1t is historic to a certain
extent and gives an insight into the woe
full horrors of the great struggle be.wSer
tyrant nobility and tyrant mob.
Tho play permits big ensemble, ar
rays angry opposing forces, Is full oi
action and mar tisl spirit, and has muci
to recommend 1t to popular favor. 1t is
broad i'm theme and gives the heroine
considera bic opportunity for hear,-break
ing work. Miss Nethersole makes II
heart rending enough, but somehow thor
ia a feeling that il is all show, that 1t i
unreal, ana simply play. She make
the hapless Mathilde a very emotiona
young woman and misses the mark lit
tie in portIaying typical daughter
France during the wild days Of the bis
tolic time. This may be corrected for
must bs remembered that the play ]
practically now, tnat |. has been pre-
sontcd only few times since 1t had Its
premiere i'm Boston last week, and tnat
the gifted actress has the capacity OF Zee
ing clearly the possibilities Of the attrac
tive character and illuminating then
more in harmony with the romantic thai
tue emotional idea.
Mics Netbarsolc gave the play a sumr
tuous presentation, q stage full OF colo
and effect, ana displayed several beau
tiful gowns. SIMPLY ss spectacle -
Daughter OF France was deserving G
the splendid audience that filled ever
scat in tie Provids,ce Opera House an
that gave tho distinguished actrss
generous greeting and encouragement.
: OF the supporting company Mr.. Blair
entitled 10 commentator for Hror
impersona,ion OF Laroche. Mr.. Lander