The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-14


Mons. Then, too, he calls attention to the
fact that Christmas Is only q few weeks
away, and the people are beginning to
save up their money for presents Now,
tbe manager cheerfully asserts that after
New Years day he will begin to make
money, and enough, he confidently ex-
poets, to enable him. TO recoup all his
losses. Meanwhile the small fry are un-
able to stand the strain, and there Is
scarcely q day which does not add to the
already large number of unemployed ac-
tors who like to sun themselves along the
Rialto Of this city.
This season will probably go down In
theatrical hfstory as the most remarkable
on record. There are many reasons for
this, but the most important and conspio-
uous IL the excellens patraaage accorded
the places of amusement In this city at the
same time that comparative disaster ruled
nearly everywhere else in the country.
There Is no accounting for this, except that
here there were fewer speeches and pa
rades than In most places, but no one
thinks that that is the true explanation.
There have been many successes here this
winter, and 10 is probably that fact more
than any other that Is responsible for the
very agreeable condition of affairs. At
the Empire John Drew has the greatest
hit Of his career In Rosemary, written
by two Englishmen. brian Boru,"
comic opera by Stanislaus STANCE and
Julian Edwards, Is conceded to be the best
work of the kind ever turned out by Amer
leans. At the Herald Square DE Koven
and Smiths operetta, "The Mandarin"
Is second in popularity only TO the same
collaborateursL Robin Hood" At the
Garrick William Gillette is turning people
away nightly In his thrilling war play,
"Secret Service" Lost, Strayed or Stol-
en-" enjoyed fair degree Of prosperity at
the Fifth Avenue Gan Enemy to the
King" In which K. III. Sothern Is appear
ing at the Lyceum, is by many persons re-
garded rs better play than 1.-THE Prison
er of Zenda," with which the same actor
made small fortune last year, and at the
Bijou the attraction Is My Friend From
India" which was written by telegraph
operator, ii. A. Du Souchet
This play was hawked about the market
for years, but no manager would have any
thing TO do with 10, and the author was
we'll nigh discouraged when an actor
friend Of his who liked the piece told him
to submit 1t TO Smyth g. Rice new firm.
This was done, and with many misgivings
those gentlemen accepted the play at n RI
diculously small royalty. It was produced
In the country and would probably never
have seon Broadway had it not been for
Harrigan's failure at the Bijou. That
=theater was then sorcfy IN need of n stop
gap and "My Friend From India was
put In. II has been there ever since, and
it would surprise no one II 10 were TO re-
main throughout the season. The most
competent judges consider IL the best light
comedy ever written by an American. As
an evidence OF its success, IL may be stated
that the proprietors have voluntarily in
creased the limit Of the authors royalties.
These are but few OF the straws which
indicate the great success of the present
season In New York city. Others might
be mentioned, but they are not necessary
for the purpose
Maurice Barrymore, handsome, debo-
nair and popular, Is full fledged star,
and In his own play, Roaring Dick 81
Co. ;" at that. Barrymore has probably as
large personal following as any 0ctor In
the United States, and while he Is very
nearly bad In q certain class Of parts TO
which he seems TO have been condemned
for some time past he has not his superior
on the American stage In the impersona-
tion of the devil may care fellow who has
a host OF friends and manages by his pecul-
lar charm Of manner TO keep them. While
Captain Swift was not exactly such role,
IL nevertheless contained the very elements
which made 1t possible for barrymore to
be really great in II. That was probably
the biggest hit In his long career on the
boards, and ever since that time shrcwd
managers have been watching for "A sim
liar play, with a view TO getting it for tho
popular actor, but Captain Swifts don't
grow on bushes, and up 20 date its twin
has not been found. As Roaring Dick a.
Co." was written by Barrymore 10 give
the most liberal play 10 his strong points,
.,x.d nth ..-.IuI.l. Lilo rl fnr