The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-10
Providence Opera House.


Jenkins hanby ...,...,.-.......'E. M. HoIlahu
tarolus Desparu- u-.-.........-.....'. hdwand oee
t'ordon Key, hugo Ioiand
Livingston kemsen. ........... William Norris
George Bartlett. Lawrence Eddinger
Merton Harley. y................. .R. Z. Cummings
Elinor Burnham. ..... Miss bertha CreiRhton
Mrs. Munvon Pyle e,...,.... Mrs. T., "A, Eherle
Sonora Lelias Caprices Miss olive Oliver
Dora La FARCE. Miss Laura Maoeilvray
Mrs. Deane. .............. Miss Ethel Douglass
Society is full Of social highwaymep. They
walk tho streets Of Providence and every
other city and are known as thieves and
rascnls. Absolute proof is sometimes want.
ing, but the keen estimation of acquaintances
place them where they belong even IL there
Is no open accusation. No amount Of personal
accomplishment, social position and power
can prevent the secret contempt OF ordinarily
honest men and women for these dangerous
vultures. Contempt for thieves and liars, OF
whatsoever sort, Is 20 common that 10 may be
regarded as almost universal.
In view of this IL is surprising what firm
grasp on the sympathy of the large audience
at the Providence Opera House last evening
the play entitled "A Social Highway" OBJ
tsined. The central figure is polished
fellow, moving in the best society, who gains
his daily bread and the luxuries of gentle
man by robbinR his friends and social 40
queintances A companion fellow In tho
person of his servant Is likewise n thief,
only a little less gifted for bagging big game.
Either OF them, in exactly the same position
in real life would have been handed over TO
The police by every person in the theater who
sympathixed and entered into tho reality OF
the play so deeply last evening. The truth OF
the characters, the recognition that such men
existed and the cleverness Of Mary 7. Stone,
who made Elizabeth Phipps Trains story
stronger by her dramatization, claimed In
telligcnt and intense sympathetic interest.
The man o. woman does not exist who Is
dead to strong love theme or the exemplih-
cation OF genuine gratitude. The convict
who was fed on the marshes by Pip in
Dickens great story has hosts of friends, be-
cause his gratitude made him toll to make a
gentleman and to risk his life to soc that his
only aim in life was carried out. This same
sort OF gratitude looms IN the play. The arch
social highwayman stands as a friend 10 the
other thief when assistance Is most needed,
and the faithtulness OF dog. every bit OF love
the man is capable Of, n sacrifice unto death
IL need be- Is his reward Interest in this
element of human nature, no matter how
despi~able the man may otherwise be, must
be engendered IN ev9ry one possessing q
warm haart imagination -apd appreciation.
Perhaps, IL is well that sympathy is extended
TO the gem, no matter how bad the setting is.
Again the chief thief commands interest by
his simulated skill In removing precious
gems from the persons OF his female friends.
and he pegots sympathy by his selt-conuemna-
tion and resolution TO be worthy Of the love Of
pure woman whom he adores, and who lets
the audience into tho sweet secret that she
also loves the villain she believes TO bo incap.
able OF insincerity. This sympathy is in.
creased up 70 the moment the highwayman
sacrifices his life 10 save the young woman
from death. Ihe whole lesson is not un.
whol,some.
Mr.. L. NJ. Holland came with considerable
reputation as an actor, and he will depart
leaving a lasting impression OF his remark
sble art. As matter OF fact. tho individual.
iiy Of the player was forgotten In tho wonder.
ful embodiment OF the serving man and CO.
thief. There was no mistaking the deop-
seated love and solicitude Of the man for
Jaffrey, and there was no lapse from master.
ful concentration. II was as convincing act.
ing As this city has seen in years, and IL was
nearly iawless.
Mr.. Joseph Holland was elegant and i'm
pressive. The impersonation only lacked
that which the actor is physically unable TO
bestow. He is stone deaf. and when this is
considered, those who saw the engrossing
performance last evening will have a better
appreciation of the remarkable skill and art
OF this sterling actor.
"a Social Bigh gayman" Is a wall.written
play, with strong dramatic situations and
climhxes, and II Is held up TO view Dy co-stars
OF national reputation, and hfst.class corr.
pany on q stage that is dressed with metro.
politan elegance. Opportunities 20 see II v IN
be offered this sveping aud tomorrow after.
noon and evening.