The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-04
Miss Allen
LIN New Play
TheChriStian

After the many announcements which
have been made with reference to the pro-
spective starring tour of Viola Allen IL
transpires that she will not. after all, ap-
pear In The Courtship of Miles Standish."
In the light Of recent events IL Is probable
that she did contemplate the use OF this
play, but her many sincere friends SO
strongly advised her against what was q
manifest tempting of fate that 1t was
finally determined to defer to their judg-
ment The vehicle upon which Miss Allen
has decided Is q characterization Of "The
Christian" by Hall Caine, from his own
novel of that name. The piece was given
q copyright production In one Of the pro-
vincial towns of England a short time
ago, but the result was anything but sat
isfactory. After the performance Mr..
Caine himself was convinced that either
the subject was one which would not lend
itself readily to dramatic treatment or else
he had not grasped the possibilities of the
story. After consulting with friends he
decided that the latter cause was RESPONSE
BILE for the very close approach to failure
Of what promised to be a meritorious
piece. He therefore decided to entirely re-
write IL, and his work has been completed
with the exception of the last aot. Those
who have seen IL declare that with the
changes made IL will be the strongest
story from q dramatic standpoint ever
turned out from the pen Of this gifted
author. Miss Allen will go abroad shortly
to suggest such further changes to Mr..
Caine as she may deom desirable. With
the selection Of "The Christian" as the
play in which she will make her stellar
debut, Miss Aliens chances of success
have materially increased. It Is not I'M
possible that the production will be made
at the Herald Square theater In this city.
1t will certainly not, however, be given a
trial presentation outside OF New York
city.
For some reason or other Mrs. James
Brown Potter and Kyrle Bellew have per-
haps moro bitter enomies among the critics
of this country than any other living actor
or actress Many of the American writers
go out of their way to say unpleasant
things about the couple at every oppor-
tunity. Aside from the injustice of the
thing from personal standpoint. It Is In
conceivable how men pretending to be
dramatic critics can SO far allow their
prejudices to influence their Judgment as
to permit them to say that Kyrle Bellew
and Mrs. Brown Potter "do not know the
first rudiments Of acting." Mrs Potter
is really an excellent actress, although IL
Is possible that some persons may not con-
slider her transcendently great, but there
never has been and from the present out
look never can be any difference of opinion
as to the ability Of Kyrle Bellew. There
is no better actor today on the English
speaking stage, and many persons think
there Is none SO good. J
All this apropos Of the fact that numer-
Gus statements have recently been pub
lished In this country that the business
done by the couple In London was disas-
trous. In reality they won't into an OBJ
scure tbeator In the suburbs Of the British
capital for couple of weeks and scored
such nm emphatic success that the engage
ment was prolonged to more than four
times its intended length. They are now
touring tho provinces and according to
the most reliable advices are finding them
q veritable Klondikc. The popularity Of