The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-18

OF the theater, and upon Ii performing
the most wonderful act ever witnessed.
Others OF note are the American Macs,
everybody's favorites, kings OF comedy,
who for making you laugh cannot be ex-
ceiled; Matthew's a Harris, the cele-
brated sketch artists; Bingham, the pc
culiar and entirely different ventriio-
quist; Swan and Bambard, gro.esque
acrobats, tum blers and comedians; Emma
Francis, the fascinating little vocalist
and dancer; Goldie st. Clair and Goldie,
in up to date comedy; the Great Sparrow,
the eccentric clown juggler in astonishing
feats, and Fred j. Huber in his latest
comedy creation entitled, "Sights in New
York." presenting powerful acting
cast, laughing success from Maine To
the coast.
Henry Irving and Miss Ellen Terry.
The forthcoming engagement of the dis
tnguished artists, Henry Irving, Miss
Ellen Terry and their fellow players of
the London Lyceum Company at the
Providence Opera House, is destined to be
not only the dramatic but the social
event, par excellence, OF the current sea-
son.
From bis wide and varied repertory
| Henry Irving has chosen four OF his best
known and most regarded plays TO be
presented in three evenings. On Monday
night, April 27, the most admired com
edy OF Shakespeare, "The Merchant of
Venice" will be brought forward, and
offered with its glorious surroundings OF
superb scenic establishment and magnif-
cent costuming. Henry Irving will be
seen in his most mastery embodiment OF
| Shylock, Miss Ellen Terry in her gracious
| and uDequaled characterization OF Portia
| and the entire company Will ill out the
| remainder of the cast to a degree OF ex-
cellence not previously exhibited In this
| city. The comedy will be given In its en-
tirety, including the beautiful Act W, SO
commonly omitted in the ordinary pro-
| dnCtions. On Tuesday night, April rs,
| the most sumptuous production, which
| Henry Irving ms ever made, j. Comyns
| Carr's beautiful idyllic play "King
| Arthur" will be offered. This work has
| won the lavish praise OF two continents
| for the magniticence OF its production
J and the grandeur Of its setting. While,
moreover, the literary worth of the work
has been recognized by oil the worthy
authorities. Henry Irving appears as the
type OF medieval and ancient chivalry,
the spotless knight, King Arthur, while
Miss Ellen Terry will be seen in her beau
tiful creation OF the fair but fraIl Queen
Guinevere. On Wednesday night, a strcng
double bill is to be presented, consisting
OF Charles Resde's one-act comedy
"Nance Oldfeld," In which Miss Ellen
Terry assumes the role OF the vlvacious,
fascinating Mrs. Anne Oldfield, and 1.-THE
Bells" In the latter production Henry
Irving appears in his original creation
of Matthias, the ience-haunted
murderer, a role which won him no small
part of his early renown. The work is
an adaptation of a romance by the famous
partners Erckmann- Chatrian "Le Juif
Polonais," written by Leopold Lewis.
Every scene, every property, every ac-
cessory for each and all the plays TO be
given will be brought here by Sir Henry
Irving. Nothing belonging to the man
agement of the Providence Opera House
will be made use of beyond the clear
stage. Theatergoers of Providence will
see these illustrious artists in productions
with exactly the same scenery appoint
meut which marked the original produc-
tions at Henry Irving's own theater in
London, The Royal Lyceum. The London
Lyceum Company comprises over one
hundred players, the largest corps Of art
lists which ever traveled-and an executive
force of some thirty people still further
adds TO the magniticence Of the associa-
tion OF the players.
The sale OF seats will begin on Tuesday
morning, April 2.
Every endeavor will be made to prevent
speculation and to that end the limit OF
each purchase will be 10 seats for each
performance and Immediately any evil
dence OF speculation is shown the limit
Will be made much less.
Patrons are earnestly requested to secure
seats at the box Office and nowhere else.
Theater Too Small.
Well, we are not to have the star cast In
s'The Rivals after all. This is through
no fault OF manager Morrow of the Provi-
dence Opera House, however. The agent
has been here and he has sized up the
theater. He found that the Opera House
was too small. That Is, enough patrons
could not be crowded into II TO make the
all-star aggregation pay expenses, even at
the high rate of admission.
While the comfortable ana we'll arranged
theater is large enough for the best of
companies 1t hardly meets the demand of
the all-star management in the matter OF
size only. And so Providence thcatergoers
desirous OF seeing every part OF the
"Rivals" played by star will have to go
TO Boston or somewhere else, worse luck.
Matinee Souvenirs for Children.
At the matinee of lannon's "Superban
next week special souvenirs will be given
each child who attends. variety of
things have been purchased such as fish
ponds, farmyards. books, dolls, watches,
return.balls, fish lines, knives, toilet sets.
pocketbooks, ETC., and every little one
present can pick from these what he or
she most desires. il will be happy COM
bination for the children, as "Superba"
as a charming fairy spectacle is especially
will make it additionally enjoyable.
-. Play Not Yet Written.
The American play remains still un-
written. We have had drawings from
artists portfolios, but no fini.hed pic
lures. "The Village Postmstcr," Is an
impressionistic touch of New Hampshire,
breezy IN atmosphere and true In hand
ling. "Chimmie Fadden" is a corner in
New York. Shenandoah" and "Ths
Heart OF Maryland" arc powder puffs of
war. and "The Girl Lett Behind Me''
is an Indian Renaissance. "Alabama"
was breath from the South, "1he Sena-
tor, >" was whif from Washington. All
these pieces are excellent, but incomplete.
4 hey offer glimpses of the country, not
the country itself. We have produced no
play which reflects American life as fine
ly rs French life is depicted In "Le
Maitre des Forges" and "La Dame aux
Camelias;" ms English life IL shown I'm