The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-09
THE RIVALS.
Performed by a Company of Stars
in New York.

There was moro rivalry in "The Rivals" at
the American Theater Thursday than Richard
Brinsley Sheridan ever drenmt Of when ha
wrote the comedy. The expectantly awaited
performance by remarkable company was
givensjn the presence OF an audience which
crowded the house to the utmost possibility.
A building three times as big could have boen
fiied at the more thar trebled prices. 1t was
an extremely enthusiastic assemblsge. too.
and 10 seemed TO feel that IL was getting full
moneys worth OF entertainment. No doubt
the actors were equally content about the
money and it's division among them. what
ever that may have been; but there was
competition for the honors of the occasion.
beyond n doubt. ana every participant in the
affair was Jealous of his comrados-or else the
disposition Of stage folks has been misunder'
stood Every member Of this extraordinary
company was ''star." accustomed to hear
much applause for himself ana little for
others: and did nny OF thom really enjoy tho
adulation OF the otnersS Inevitably, Joseph
Jefferson and Mrs. John Drew got dispropor.
tioDate shares Of the applause and the laugh
ter. because they were already famous in
parts giving them advantage over their com
panions William II. Crane came next as a
recipient Of domonstratiyo favor, with Fran
CTS Wilson and Nat G. Goodwin fourth snd
fifth. The rest were received kindly and
were applapaad- with warmth for what they
did. Recalls into scenes were f.equont in
addition TO those st the ends OF acts. and Mr..
jefferson made n brief speesh of thanks on
behalf of the company.
Nobody's reasonable expectation was disap-
pointed in tba performance. Joseph BrooKs,
tho director OF the enterprise had besp Judi
cious in forming this noteworthy company.
Not member proved miscnst. Mrs. Drow's
Mrs. Malaprop WINS Hawless example OF old
com"dy acting. with an easy swing TO IL. yet
never deviating ono iota from precedent :
broadly humorous. but never showing a
coarse atom. Tho sticklor fer just such ad.
heronce to the traditions as Mrs. Drew main
tains might quarrel with Mr.. Jefferson's Bob
Acres. The lato John Gilbert is said TO hsve
remarked, when asked bis opinion Of his
Characterization: at is admirnble-and Sheri-
dan 20 miles away" It Ia true that MIR.
Jefferson disregards the probable intention o:
the author that Bob should be a clownish
country bumpkIn, and departs radically from
the manner of his predecessors; but who
among mis- admirers cares for thatY his neat.
chirpy drollery IL delightful. and his treat
ment of tho rolo makes IL yield more amuse-
mens than any actor ever got out OF IT by the
conventional method. Mr. Crm-e's success
with Sir Anthony Abnolute was positive, both
in making the audience laugh all he desired
to. and at the same time in impressina oriti
cal Observers favorably. II was said that be
had been very III. and his voice gave some
evidence of ~. but hc played admirably. not
striving much TO disguise his very popu-
lar personality, and at the samo time acting
with careful and respactful regard for The
traditions. Mr. Goodwin was iovial and
rolliosome. all safely within bounds. as sir
Lucius O'Triegor. emphasizing cleverly the
humor. and only blemishlng his work little
by lapsing in the lines. MIR. Wilson's David
was without fault. Ho was agreeably less
noisy than most comedians have been in the
part. but finely definite with every wore and
motion. and no player In the cast was more
truly artistic than he. The praise rightfully
belonging to Robert Taber for his Captain
Absolute Is that he, equally with Mrs. Drew.
had the true spirit OF old comedy in rich
degree. He was buoyant. facic. and uener-
ally graceful. Julia Mariowe.rHber was less
at case. but her Lydia Lapguish was a hand.
some. wholesome creature. devoid Of the
hihihNAoiAO osuotAs W Aho NAdNdC-
ter. and seeking. so 10 seemed to present n
natural girl in tic circumstuncos II that
was her intention sho very nearly realized it,.
O: course Joseph and Edward ~ Holland re-.
spe lively, ns Falkland and Fag. lacked the
material win which TO impress themselves
doopIy upon the whole audience. but neither
suffered for being in good company, aud
every judicious witness Of the play rated
them fully up TO the average Of the merit.
The same Wow was TO bo taken regarding
Fnnny Rice in tho other snail part of Lucy.
She did not try 10 force herself into dispro.
portion. but was content to bo properly
piquaat and coquettish. 1t was rare salts.
faction TO see "Thc Rivals" played by artists
down TO its smallest roles, and. OF course, the
programs will be long preserved for the sake
of the names on them. A set of scenery
painted by Walter Burridge was worthy of
the real and assumed personages who figured
in it.-N. Y. San.