The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-09-28
Providence Opera House.

The Old Homestead, that charming
idyl OF New England life, Is tho attrac'
tion nt the Providence Opera House the
present week. MIR Denman thompson
taking the part OF Joshua Whitoomb and
having with him an exCellont company.
30 many times have audiences Loen
moved To laughter and TO tears by the
homely but heart true touches o! this
worthy drama that il needs Low no des-
cription for fow thoatsr gOers are
unfamiliar with its quaint and beautiful
story. one can see IL again and again
and never weary of the play so natural
l. IL and so truo an artist is MIR. Ihonp
son. A visit to the play Is ever like tic
meeting with an old friend whose faith
we have confidence IN ana whom 10 sec
again Is hut 10 delight Us and bring back
the cool hours OF the morning in tho beat
and labor OF the noon. H. is refresh
mont aud 10 is something more, our ialIb
in human nature Is revived. We SEQ IN
this fine and elevating drama all sides OF
New England life, its real sincerity ana
the softuess there Is teDeath rough
eXteriors.
There are some old and nne-time favor
ito songs sung by The Cd homestead
quartet that may not be as lively as some
latter songs. but which make some CT us
think or the time We first heard thom
with pleasure. Good music has always
Homestead and the Singers OF the present
engagement ore competent ones.
There is OF course, excellent scenery,
al the favorite places that one has seen
before Just as carefully arranged. iDclud
ing the home at SwnnZfy, y. H.. the Hop
kips Mansion, New YORK and Graoe
church, New York by night. Ihore all
tend TO mark the contrasts in the story
between life in tho quiet New Hampshire
village and in the big city.
Fresh and lively rs ever minglirg fun
and seriousness is OF course. Mr.. lEomp-
son. 10 him the portrayed Ci tho chief
part has como perhaps raal part of his
life rs any and naturalness and perfection
rs near TO the latter as II posi- bic, are his
He is the old man of rugged nature with
all the lights and shade and one Simply
looks and realizes that lie Is locking on n
Iicture true TO nature as pleasant as the
summer raiE.
Mr. Cressey as Cy Prime and Mr.. Clark
as Seth Perkins leave nothing To be
wished for in their representations OF the
two genuine farmers whose whole life is
conferred in n small village and who have
been friends and rival heauX for over 30
wears. They spin yarns aud tell jokes
that we all laugh at, not because they
are new To us, but because the manner nf
the strny teller is part OF TIE story Of
ton times tho most important feature,
and because such stories or jokes seem
funrier than ever from such expressive
people. Mr.. Glare gives an excellent rep
resentation of Happy Jack the tramp,
az q also Of the part OF Jack Hazard.
Mr. John Barker as En- GanZey, tho
big overgrown farmers boy, does full
Justice To tlo amusing part assigned to
nm, and Miss Annie lbompson. u ma.
tural and interesting portrayal OF farm
maid. Miss Louisa MOrses' portrayal of
the aunt was, OF course. excellent anu
won great favor with the audience Tho
remainder of the cast is exceptionally
good.
There was good sized audience pres
ent at last evenings performance and
the "Old Homestead" will be given to-
night and tomorrow night with matinee
tomorrow afternoon.