The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-15
Providence Opera House.


Margaret Seaforth. Bernard
Alice uihgn,pi, MAY h.rrls
Constancs Mcpherson. .Eleanore Browning
Annie beckwith h................. Sadie Travers
Mabel Hamilton. Frances Young
Maud hersey..... Nellie Timoney
Probably a large part of the big audi
ence in the Providence Opera House last
svening would have been more pleased
with "The Sporting Duchess" had there
ears been supplied with shut-off valves.
80 that certain parts of the text and its
suggestion could have been unheard and
unknown 40 publicly. As play the pop
ular work Of Sir Augustus Harris, Cecil
Raleigh and Henry Hamilton is no addi-
tion TO the stage. AS spectacle il is
q triumph. 1t cannot be recalled when
the Providence Opera House had greater
display OF handsome scenery, more
charming stage setting, handsomer cos
TUNES and finer looking company OF ladies
and gentlemen than last evening. "The
Sporting Duchess was a constant delig ht
to the eye. 1t was likewise delightful
because 1t employed a portion OF the
talent of certain players who have become
famous through trst class work upon
the stage. The scenery is entitled TO the
post of honor. II includes q representa-
tion OF the hall of a manor house in
Yorkshire. This Is massive and pecu-
liarly effective and its arrangement
seemed to double the size of the stage.
Some Of the painting effects were charm
wise impressive and the ball room was
stunning In its combination OF bril- |
iiancy. The cottage view on the Thames |
river was charrningly set and the Derby |
race picture was inspiring to sporting
blood and agreeable to everyone.
The dialogue of the piece, was not |
nice. IT was, however, in harmony with
the title so that no one was much sur
prised at its bald treatment OF matters
which are generally whispered about in
polite society. TO illustrats its muck.
The duchess in hearing OF the dishonor
of young woman, an important auxiliary
motive In the play, inquiries II it is the
same old trouble and the audience shows
BY Its laugh that the authors meaning is
plain. Trouble begins when a loving,
but not very wise, young wife, finds
out that her husband has received a let
ter from somewhere from somebody.
She becomes jealous. The husband gets
lilly over an equally frivilous circum-
stance and q william and adventures are
snabled TO carry out their plans. The
william wants the wife and the adven-
'uress wants the husband, and both come
very near accomplishing their desire.
Df course they don't. but there is con-
siderable risky talk before the schemers
ire baked. The Williams victims young
woman who has to leave home to hide
her shame, gives information regarding
ner seducer and explanations unite to
,ennent former estranged hearts and in
'erests. The silly husband, who forgets
that he is an English gentleman, by
eopardizing all his worldly possessions,
ucceeds in winning this Derby race
md retrieyes all his fortune. Or course,
III this 10 old fashioned melodraiua.
'ut II hss q new gown of up-to-date
tage trimming, and it formed feast for
he visual organ.
The cast of"The Sporting Duchess" was
thoroughly satisfactory. Agnes Booth
made the rather unimportant part OF the
Duchess stand out prominently and illus
rated to certain extent, as much as the
Hay would permit, why she is one OF the
lest actresses on the American stage.
Miss Otis is recognized as The cleverest
Exponent of adventures parts and her
york last evening WAS convincing aud
capable. r.Roberis demon
trated that he was good comedian and
Or. wheeiock played the old trainer like
master hand. IL was lovable character
90. Messrs. Lscy, Massen and Booth
layed their characters exceliently ana
liss Tanner made a great deal out OF a
Ifficult part.
"The Sporting Duchess" will be played
very evening and Wednesday and Satur.
sy matinees.