The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-09
KElTH'S NEW THEATRE.
A Brilliant Comedy Program in This Palace Beau
tiful-A Treat For Thsatrsgosrs.


comforts and conveniences, with such
perfect service from handsomely uni:
formed attaches, with the air fragrant
with the perfume of fresh flowers. the
eyes gratified with evidences OF the
most refined artistic taste and every
sense and every estheuc taste appealed
to- almost any form Of entertainment
would be enjoyed in Il. II. Keith's mag
nificent new theatre; and when the en-
tertainment itself Is one, each or the
Individual component parts of which Is
worthy of being placed IN any dramatic
production seen in the best theatres In
the country to which IT might be ap-
propriate il would seem as II the acme
OF wholesome, edifying. refreshing and
delightful entertainment had been real
ized.
Such is a conservative description or
the superb bill offered at Keith's New
Theatre this week, and concerning
which there were no two opinions yes
terday among those who made up the
brilliant audiences representative OF the
best classes and the most fashionable
circles In this community. 1t is quite
as much to the credit Of Providence as
IL is a compliment to Mr.. Keith that.
from the very opening OF his beautifui
new theatre, the character of the audi
ences has been such as effectively TO
demonstrate recognition OF what Mr..
Keith has done 10 elevate this lighter
form of entertainment and to place II
on a plane where IL could receive and
should receive the hearty support or
thousands to whom the variety show
has always been sealed book because
OF the coarseness, and anything but
refined atmosphere which have seemed
to be inseparable from it, Mr.. Keith
has drawn n very clearly defined ana
and high-class vaudeville. and in so
doing has performed distinct service
In the interest OF good morals and the
general elevation of the stage, to say
nothing of the pleasure and amusement
he has made IL possible for those or
the most refined tastes TO enjoy; and if
one would understand and appreciate
this fully he has only to visit Mr..
Keth's elegant new theatre this week
and to study the characteristics OF the
elaborate and admirably balanced pro-
gram presented.
Nothing finer cam be seen in any So
called Legitimate" theatre than the
presentation of the one-act play "A
Game of Cards" by Mr. Felix Morris
and his excellent supporting company.
MIR. Morris is a true artist. whose art
is so intelligent, so subtle, so intel
lectual that 1t is never apparent and
the identity of the actor is lost entirely
in the part. His ability to appeal with
equal success to all the finer emotions
and to the lighter ones. to tears or TO
laughter is a rare gift seldom pos
sessed by comedians; and he holds with
equal rapt attention the interest alike
OF the second balcony and Of the floor.
The play itself is a delicate piece of
dramatic bric-a- brac, easily ruined by
an ordinary actor, and the beauties of
which are seen only under the treat
ment. OF such a thorough artist as Mr..
Morris This one feature is well worth
many times the insignificant price of
the best seat at Keiths.
Miss Alice Atherton seems TO add
measurably 20 her popularity, II that
be possible. as time goes by: and the
reception accorded her highly artistic
and pleasing efforts yesterday demon
strated that her success in vaudeville
IS no less than in HoYt dramas or light
opera. She is one of the big cards"
of the program.
Dixon. Bowers and Dixon are old
friends, and their act is familiar. but
they are friends so highly priced and
their act is so far above others that
they are ever welcome and one laughs
as heartily over the realistic presenta-
ton OF ''rube" comedy and wonderful
acrobatic agility at a sixth visit as at
the first The three Gardner brothers
are olso old favorites. whose part in the
long bill never fails to win the plaudits
OF those who appreciate q thoroughly
good musical turn" G.. w. Little6eld's
limitations OF animals and inanimate
things are simply remarkable; and his
vocal efforts are as unique az they are
entertaining. The Sa Vans perform
some OF the most surHyising acrobatic
feats ever seen i'm this city. and the
comedy flavor which they give 10 their
act is clean cut and really very funny.
Harry Edsons trick dog comes much
nearer to deserving the title "educat-
ed than any other animal theatre
gOers here have yet seen: and his par
ticipation I'm the rendering OF the Last
Rose Of Summer" on the bells demon
strates beyond cavil that the dog actu-
ally knows the air quite as well as his
master. Doc Is no less than a wonder.
and should nll the house every after
noon with ladies and children. Riley
and Hughes offer a plantation sketch
i'm which is a. good deal OF fun and
some of the best wing and buck dancing
one can expect 20 gee anywhere The
sisters Coulson present highly pleas
ing feature I'm their serpentine dances
on revolving globes. and finish their act
with clog dancing OF exceptional now
city and merit. The Irish comedy sketch
OF Conrov and Mcfarland is flashing
with wit and surprising business"
from start 90 finish. and keeps the au-
dience IN n continual roar. In fact. the
whole bill Is notable for its abundance
of comedy features and all OF the high
est order.
In this category come Charles Grape
win. formerly star I'm the "Chmmie
Fadden" company. and his clever as
sistant. Miss Anna Chance. Mr.. Grape
wins work is unlike that Of any other
comedian. unique. full OF ginger" In
tensely ludicrous and always absolutely
free from any suggestion OF coarseness