The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-01
BROWN BOYS BURLESQUE
Production of "Florida Water" In
the Providence Opera House.

Minnie He He. e..................A Arthur G. Stone
Aunty Up..',................ws U Warren Z. Greene
Duchia. a..........................E l.. Blanchard
The product Of weeks OF work by Brown
studenss was disclosed last evening in the
Providence Opera House when "Florida
Water" was produced. 1t was a surprisingly
good burlesque and remarkably well pre-
sented. everything considered In the hands Of
professionals it would ronk with the average
output OF vp-to-date burlesque. As the gen
eral story and scheme OF this work, together
with the names OF tne authors. and the full
force of young men employed in its presenta-
tion. together with extracts from the text.
solos and choruses, were published in TIE
NEWS few days ago. IL will be unnecessary
TO allude to those matters, only to say that
the idea Of the burlesque was developed with
unusual skill for amateurs. and acted and
sung with touch OF professional abandon.
II cannot be recalled when any similar work
by the young students contained SO much to
interest and sustain attention as "Florida
water.n eertsiuiy Nc product OF the young
men was ever presented SO well on first
nisht before. The performance was remark
able In this respect. Understanding that the
students had M opportunity TO practice on
was done amid uncongenial surroundings
entirely foreign TO footliRht association,
the freedom, and precision shown at this first
performances bespoke in no uncertain way the
stage intelligence and concentrated attention
OF all the young men employed.
The advantages that the work had consisted
OF the skill Of Mr.. James Gilbert. profes-
sional comedian. whose bandicraft was fre-
hv Aoa unip
animated movement OF the large force of
principals and chorus. and the "nlling in"
that only professionalism can accomplish
Mr.. Gilbert kept his pupils going" Bur
lesaue requires brisk action with enough
dialogue 10 form an excuse for the action. 1t
might be said In passing that some of the
diaiogue In ''Florida Water" could be cut and
the turlesoue bepeftted thereby. Inconse-
qusptial talk by two or three principais when
tie back and sides OF the stage are filed with
a hie company. ioAfing for the want of some
thing TO do, is n loss OF time that authors with
limited experiences permit with harm to their
own work This was noticeable last evening.
Besides MT. Gilbert's experience the bur-
lesque had the advantage Of several per-
formers possessing some previous stage
training. Thomas Crosby. who has been
prom nent in previous Brown productions
and other amateur effort has the instincts OF
an actor and considerable dramatic talent
which he employs intelliesntly. He was a
bolster for his associates and helped them
over ragged places frequently. He gave a
good performance OF s.nile old man with
youthful inclination. His love for the ofiico
typewriter. Duchis, engsndered the enmity
OF bttsrs which led to his leaving Spain,
with his followers. for Florida, in search of
the Fountain OF Youth. The opening scene in
Iadiz where the start was made for Florida.
the experience with ths North American In
dams In the tropical glade of the cure groupds
for conspm ptives where the Fountain was
found and youth restored, aud the return 10
Csdiz. whore conflicting interests were hsr-
mouized, made the theme OF the work.
The next most competent player was ". Z.
Greene, whose imporsonation OF the aged
spinster rose almost TO the dignity OF profes
sior al playing. He was at work all the time
and sustained the part with remarkable skill.
ali things considered. His dancing was also
very clever. The standing army also deserves
\ word OF commentator.
.G. l.. Parker m sde n good comic Indian and
sang very well. The song "Love Cannot
Die" his own composition, deserved the en-.
coro 80 received.
E. T.. Blanchard looked stunning as the
Typewriter. tho makeup being especially
effective. His voice. however, was hardly
strong enough for the nice usic he had to
sing.
A. c. Stone made q biz in his dancing
specially as Minpis He-He. 1t was up.to.date
and as good ms the average professional. The
other principals did their very best. and hs.
sisted in the wonderfully smooth first night
performance.
The particularly effective scene was the
opening OF the second act with the introduo-
tion OF the Indians in n ricturesque and ami.
mated dance. The audience fairly reused
Itself at this exhibition. Tho real novelty.