The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-31
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The Theatres.
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Curiously enough. although a man of
peace, Charles Frohman's luck In Impor-
tant new ventures proceeds from war.
He made his managerial debut In
Shenandoah, which was the first or
the American military melodramas. he
dedicated the Empire Theater with "The
Girl l Left Behind Me. !" which gave an
excellent picture of Indian warfare, and
now has entered London with banners
flying and trumpets sounding to the tune
of Secret Service, one of the best war
plays ever written. 1t is also remarkable
that Mr.. Frobman's important steps were
In behalf and with the assistance OF his
countrymen. Bronson Howards play
gave him start IN management. Belasco
and Fyles's play made him the successful
director of the Empire Theatre, and
Gillettes play established him In the ap-
proyal of London. These are agreeable
facts to note In the career of manager
who has done much for native art and
TO whom native art has given reciprocal
courtesies. At the serious turning points
OF bis history Charles Frohman has still
relied on mis- country which has stood
by him. Shenandoah" " 1.-The Girl l
Left Behind Me" and Secret Service"
are not only American plays but
permeated throughout with the
spirit of American life. Mr..
Frohman's other successes, "Too Much
Johnson. 'Men and Women, [" "All the
Comforts of Home" and various like
pieces were foreign in flavor II not In
derivation. and they happened at time
when he little needed their help to carry
him around corners.
1t has been many years since tragic
play dealing with modern conditions has
been SO successful in New York as TO
achieve run. The success last season Of
''1ess of the D'Urbervlles was marvelled
at for this reason, yet that success Is
easily explained. Hsrdy's great story,
from which the play was made, fasci-
mates the reader. because IL seems TO deal
with men and women of flesh and blood,
and underlying their movements and
pointed by the climax Is the eternal prob
lem of the sexes. The art of the play,
like the art of the story, imposes the
vital topic without seeming To- DO so,
through the acts ana accidents OF really
human beings that strongly grip the
emotions and play upon the sympatbies.
The characters are not mere lay figures
and therefore the play seems an abstract
of life ITSELF As "less of the D'Urber-
villes' was the dramatic sensation of
last season In New York, so IL will be of
the coming season in the cities fortunate
enough TO see IL in the hands of Mrs.
Fiske ana her fine company of actors.
casino Is tDe Oily NeW 1Ork
theatre in use, aside from the vaudeville
houses. 1t will be devoted TO 1.-The Whirl
of the Town" throughout the summer
and probably well into the autumn, as
the extravaganza is under sufficient pop
ular headway to carry IL beyond the time
at first allotted TO il.
As in the case of many another rumor
there is no truth in the present gossip
about new marriage for Lillian Russell.
Tho golden diva may desire u divorce,
and so may Signor Perugini, but 1t is q
question whether either of them has the
reckless humor TO go to the courts. IL a
legal separation were applied for and con-
tested the lawyers would ask questions
! even more embarrassing than young
Aspinwall's lost love letters Some
| things are better left unsaid, and this is
one of them. Thus. although Perugini
could probably secure divorce on the
grounds of desertion, while Miss Russell
could put in an equally effective arRu-
ment of non support, there are details to
| be considered and dreaded. III the oppos-
ing parties could agree TO say nothing
and saw the wood that binds them to-
gcther all might be quietly arranged
But our Information declares that the
once happy pair are now bitter in onmity.
1t is declared that one night last season
Perugini went TO the box Office window
and said quietly, II understand that
Miss Russell does not sing this evening"
mo- replied tho ticket man, sorrow
fully. 'She Is unfortunately III and we
have been Obliged TO put on her under
study. ~ "Ihen." continued perugini
joyfullv, Il shall have a chance at last To
enjoy the opera Give me the test seat in
the house" On another occasion at an
earlier date when their friends hoped that
the separation was not irroparGblo Peru
gini was I'm a box when his lovely spouse
singing on the stage discovered him.
Mhereupon the diva, so we are informed,
| whispered to a companion do you see
WIFI CAllINC DOWN. IAE