The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-28
THEATRICAL TATILE.

In a comparatively short space Of time
Thespis, after his summer rest will have
opened wido his eyes, the sound of many
tinkling bells will herald the ascension Of
the curtain and the theatrical season Of
ls97-9S will be launched with all of that
eclat and enthusiasm that seems insepa-
rable from the birth of new dramatic
campaign.
just what the season will bring forth
in the way of successes il is hard TO say
in fact, il is only the youthful and the
foolish who attempt TO prophesy what
will happen in business in which the
changeful conditions Of the oosntry cut
such figure. To be sure. large num-
bsr of managers arc predicting great
season. MY boy, think of the wheat
crop, "they say and think Of the cotton,
the corn. the hay and the prosperity that
is all over the land. The season is going
to DO a wonder. And with the greatest
amount of belief in the excellence OF their
own Judgment they are engaging actors
and securing plays 10 send upon the
road.
The season, rs il looks now-on paper
should turn out comparatively well.
Novelties there are promised in plenty
and If variety. is the spice OF life there
will be plenty of spice for everyone and
little on the side for the dog. Mr..
jefferson announces bis usual limited
tour and several OF the stars arc coming
out with announcements OF new produc-
tions.
Possibly the most important announce
ment comes from that sterling actor, Will
liam II. Crane, whose successes OF recent
years have received the strongest kind of
support from the public. The comedian
has always held that the public will sup
port good. clean, wholesome play, illus
trnting phases of life with which IL is
familiar and dealing with characters
tI.. tal- "A tlxr 70 III ta
great believer in comedy and thinks that
one of the missions of the stage Is TO
amuse and tighten care. During the sum-
mer MIR. Crane had no less than dozen
authors at work for him and be felt that
IL he succeeded in getting two good plays
out OF all that would be submitted to
him, he would be satisfied But he did
better. and he IL now more strongly
equipped with what is considered excel
lent material than he has been before at
any other period Of his lengthy career.
Among the plays that no has accepted
IL "A Virginia Courtshp.' which comes
from the pen of Eugene presty. The play
is one calling for handsome costumes of
the period OF 1915 and 10 is to he elsbo-
rately staged. Clyde Fitch and Leo Doit-
riohtstein have written bright comedy
which has been accepted and Mr.. Parker.
co-author OF Rosemary" and of Change
Alley has, IL il thought fitted the actor
with auOther good play. Two Otner plays
by American authors have been accepted
and these with "A Fool Of Fortune, :"
which made big hit last season in New
York and "His Wife's Father" which is
now being seen I'm London, will make up
the actors repertoire for the season.
Mr.. CIane opens his season I'm san
Francisco on Sept IL and will make a
short tour of the far West, reaching
Chicago for his annual engagement there
in November. Tho actor begins his New
York engagement in January and expeots
To remain there for tine balance Of tho
season.
The company 10 be seen in the actors
support Is said TO fc n very strong one.
Among It's women are Miss Anne Irish.
who wac tho leading woman of the Ken.
das' company, Miss Percy Haswell, for
some seasons member cf Augustin
Doly's forces, Miss Kate Lester. Miss
Frances stevens and Miss Louise Closer.
The men include Walter Hale Boyd Put
nnm, percv Brooke. William Borg.
George y. DE We're, Vincent sorranu.
Charles +. GOtthold and Vim. 4. Butter
field.
Mayor Edwin ID McGuiuEoss Of this
city will occupy "a box ut the opening pei
iormnnce Of 1bomas Il. Shea. in The
Man-o'. Wars Man." at keith's Opera