The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-23

House viii be dark until next September.
The Garrett Theater was pretty lively
place yesterday, where the tarce-comedY
stars were rehearsing seriously In the
cosey theater in Thirty-tfth street. OF
course, there was some little difficulty in
getting things started. Miss Marie
Dressler, for instance, insisted on first
notifying the company that she mad lost
80 pounds through doing her acrobatc
dance with Mr.. Dan DAILY I'm "The Lady
slavey." Then Mr.. Henry v. Donnelly
rose TO explain that he had gained Is
pounds In six months. Next Miss Dress
Ter proceeded to make cleer the pedigree
of a toy terrier which had been making
things excessively lively for everybody,
and which, she remarked incidentally,
had been passed TO her over the footlights
in a bon-bon box. Whereupon Mr.. Willie
Collier asked Miss Dressler what she had
paid for the dog.
AT this inoppoTtune question the come
dienne proceeded forthwith to disfigure
her handsome countenance with q Lady
Macbeth frown OF large proportions. Mr..
Otis Harlan, recognizing danger signal,
quickly ran an emergency call on the
telephone connecting with Manager Har-
ris' private Office. with the result that
that individual rushed frantically to the
stage, reaching II just as Miss Dresser's
frown had reached its fall development
and Mr.. Collier In consequence had sunk
TO Dothingness in Mr.. Dan Dsly's arms.
Miss Dressler then explained that she
was merely suffering from a momentary
contraction OF the fascial muscles, and
that she had no idea that she had frowned
at all.
So things went serenely once more and
there vas no further trouble until the
cue was given for the entrance OF Lydia
Janguish. impersoDated by Miss Ada
Lewis. To the smazement OF everybody
Lydia was missing. Miss Lewis
hotel was telephoned without avail, ana
messengers wQe sent in all directions.
Mr.. Harris sighed wearily and shook his
head doubtiully. There was wait OF
nearly half an hour, broken finally Dy
Mr.! John Rice announcing that Miss
Lewis was walking up and down in the
sub-cellar chewing gum, habit con-
tracted while playing the tough girl, and
poring..over Lydia. Mr.. Harris thereupon
diplomatically complimented Miss Lewis
on her studicus habits, and the rehersal
was resumed.
These are mere details, of course. The
great point is that the performance Is
going TO be n vefitable treat. All those
concerned are now working hard, and
the production, aside from the comment
II had naturally excited as an artistic
venture, has gained additional interest
from the fact that Manager William Har-
ris, Messrs. Evans and Mann, OF the Her
aid Square Theater, the lauies and gentle
men who will participate in the perform
ance and all those in sny way connected
with the entertainment have signiied
their intentions OF devotiDg the entire
proceeds for the benefit OF the Herald
Free Ice Fund.
Mr.. Willie Collier, who plays Bob Acres,
4. A. I. 49, A
from Mr.. Joseph Jefferson, as follows:
Gam not particularly we'll Can YOU
come on and finish week for me in Bob
Acres.n
Mr.. Collier says he received the teo-
gram, but II Is believed that he has been
grossly imposed on by some of his fellow
players