The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-19

has been seen in this city and il made a
hit. The large audience nearly had con-
vnlsions because the fun was so broad and
ridiculous. IL WAS clear, wholesome fun
of the best sort ana il went straight to
the funny bones OF everyone in the thea
ter. There was preparation for an evening
Of pleasure, for the pieee came well recon-
mended from New York, where it had
been lescing attraction for long time,
enjoying the aPurovsl Of the general pub
lie as well ss constant hsbitues of the
-theater- Its uetropolitsn endorsement
was approved and many persons who
thought laughing had gone out of fashion
renewed their faith in possibilities and
grew merry and happy once more. Ths
piece embraced a little of all sorts. There
was a generous supply of burlesque. horse
play farce, skirt dancing and high and low
comedy. 1t was an association of popular
forces in the hands of players who have
won distinction on the stage for previou us
accepted work bearing the unm istaka bic
stsmp of more than ordinary talent. The
third act of ''Lost, Straytd or Stolep,"
considered to be the highest niche in the
possible column.
The authors gin their work with
their characters on the eve OF a christep-
ing. A baby boy, two wesks old, unfor-
tunately has three god fathers aud they
arrive just before the youngster is taken
from the damp" curse in the park.
The festivities of christening ara dissr-
ranged and the company invited to the
celebration is thrown into a wild state Of
displayed hose and mild bysteris.
Search for the child begins ut once
and the difficulties that beset the
searching party OF "papa" and the three
god fathers make the fun OF the piece
They get into a barracks and are made
to impersonale raw recruits; then they
reach the apartments of an opera bouffe
prima donna who has fire-eating Cuban
lover and to save their lives the three
men assume the parts of workmen. One
brick laying while the other takes the
part OF hair dresser and puts the prims
donna's head in sort of court OF chan
cery. The arrival of the Cuban sets the
victims in motion and bricks, hair and
clock springs have high old time. The
horse play of this act is delightful and
the ,layers appear to relish IL just az much
ga the audience. Matters are strsig htened
out in the closing act and the missing
"two.w6oks older'' is restored. Papa
"a played by MIR. Harrison in bright.
breezy way. lie bestows upon the part q
generous share OF tho skill that has made
him leading comedisn in this
fort OF work for SEVERAL years. Ills
stimulation OF despair was sight to be-
hold and his singing was good enough to
secure several recalls. Mr.. Kennedy has
long been regarded as one OF the best OF
comedians EDd bis refreshing efforts last
evening were thoroughly appreciated.
MIR. Cotton was funny without effort and
MIR. BcrSmal, who bas been seen in this
city several times WITH comedian Crane,
made tho Cuban stand out prominently
~ an interesting cnaractef. Miss BulKeley |
was charming ~ the god her, ana sang
swcetly Miss Caine bad = winning smile |
and dsncsd with grace aBd abandon.
There was not poor player IN the large |
cist. Eesides the indiy dual work the !
principals, excellent ensemble efforts |
were msGo by toe isrxs company aud the
singing an dabrinR Nas Il the tcst /
g1slity. Lie music va, bright and tie
voices were tancuL Asa matter 81 fact |
I.tia fluli could be fnund with tets cure
r. ans sofi % tlfoa feeling. "Losi,
,iratod or etolsB" vii &C. pro'euled all
TIE wees in,lssiss the regular mstiuses.