The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-27

Shortly after this Wilson.join McIills
comedians and made an unexpected hit
in piece somewhat resembling Hali u
King entitled .Our Goblins. lie made
his rather unimportant part tho cehtrai
one of the piece and from that time hc
was known as u comedian and left the
regular song and dance business. old
thcntcr- goers remember Wilson when hc
appeared with Giil's company in this
city in "Our Goblins ~ years ago ana
also remember how delightfully."- funny ho
was and how original all his stage busi-
ness was at that time. He made "a change
In the habit OF the comic opera come
dian and wilson's way of IL years ago has
become the standard and an incentive TO
imitation by hundreds of other come
dians. 1t is therefore quite natural that
much that Wilson does has been seen here
before presented by his imitators.
The thing that WAS lacking, however,
was tho peculiar Wilsonian charm, the
delightful JUNCTION and the artistic finish.
Wilson has the athletic song and dance
legs and his nimblencss in this respect Is
one of his strong points. He beats "A
ballet dancer on the ballet dancers own
ground. He has great head and n face
that fits comedy 10 perfection. IL would
DO a. strong for tragedy If the actor was u
tragcdian. He makes topical song IA
classic and he reads like master of the
art His particularly strong equipment Is
IL as though he enjoyed 1t and from his
first entrance TO the final exit he is as
busy as u bee He is constantly doing
something amusing and he Is, in the
vernaoular of the street hustler
lie Is tireless and never tiresome, quick
20 take advantage of every opportunity
and turn il to the best advantage making
himself frequently n surprise and pleasure
20 his associate players rs well as to the
audience. These are some of the reasons
why the comedian with u modest begin
ming has reached the top of his profession
IN the comic opera field.
These particular attributes were promi-
rent In The elaborate and beautiful pro-
sentation Of "Half "a King" last evening.
This comic opera does not vary much
from tho regular article. lt was adapted
from the French by Harry Is. Smith Will
music by Ludwig Euglandcr and IL wa'
made especially for comedian Wilson. u
therefore gives him "a deal OF latitude ant
thanks 10 the arrangement tho comedian
Is before tho audience most Of tho time
As the Mountebank he sings some, dance
little and acts with artistic finish all TIN
time Sharp eyes found hundreds O
little things 10 claim attention and thos
relishing the broadly humorous left th
theatcr feeling that they had been entor
tained. The Mountebank wanted III
daughter To wed a nobleman and he I'm
personatcd grandce himself so that Oh
ODleCt COuiu IN itAttilhth. ~ NhN AhtlSl
ious and mirth provoking.
Miss Glaser made charming asSistar
e. Mr.. Wilson. She acted with attractiN
abandon and the full musical voice WI
heard - advantage In several prctt
songs. She made the Mountcbank
daughter picturesque aud Der fine for
and attractive personality fitted the pn
10 perfection.
s.is. Macdonald made a good imrTcs>iC
~ small part which She present,
capahly. Tho entire east was " the b.
quality and rho elaborate stpnic cmbchsl
rncnt al the stage was "A constant dcligii
Two of the scenes wcic superb. A.
chorus was large and tuneiul and tl
blending of beautiful and rich cOioIs we
marvellous An enlarged orchestra ma'
the llnc music doubly agreeable, ai
altogether tho presentation of "Half
King" has not been surpassed IN I'll
city this season. Ii was elaborate % q
smallest detail Comedian Wilson an
his great company will remain I'm q
providence Opera House all the week.