Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-02-03
.UNDRESSED SHOW.
Henry Miller's Company Appears
Without Stage Effects.
The Storm Delays the Costumes and
Scenery, But the Audience Witnesses
Good Performance of "Heartease."

There was a surprised audience at the
Worcester Theatre Wednesday night,
when, at $50, the curtain rose without the
usual orchestral prelude, and Henry Mil
Ter, the star Of the evening, was discov-
cred standing dif1idently and alone on a
meagrely decorated stage. In manner
even more apologize than his words Of
regret, Mr. Miller explained that the
storm had delayed the companys bag
gage and scenery, and that his people were
here, but with nothing TO play with. When
he asked anxiouSIy whether the audience
would prefer to wait until tomorrow and
see the play given with the usual accesso-
lies, or If the company should go on and
give the piece, as best they could in their
travelling clothes, hearty burst of APP
plause was his encouragement to proceed
with. the existing conditions. The actor
strobe off the stage with a lighter heart,
and the audience settled itself to enjoy
the novelty of seeing actors undisguised,
and how much of the effectiveness of a
play Is due to its accessories rather than
the skill of the players.
And the result proved it to be less than
most people supposed The first act, to be
sure, struck the spectator little queerly,
for Mr.. Miller's people cannot fulfill the
requirements of the Clipper advertisers
for good dressers on and off the stage.
The familiar white china receptacle for
Devy's rouge which Leslie Allen proudly
X,
one or two other makeshifts, provoked a
smile; but as the drama progressed the
interest of the play and the admirable
work of the company made the audience
were as frequent and imperative as if the
regular quota of white wigs, kniceker-
bockers and low-necked gowns were pres
ent in all their glory.
Mr.. Miller as Eric Temple, the defraud-
ed composer, was a hero Indeed. His first
strong scene at the close Of the second act,
when he finds himself at once deprived of
his love, his prospects, his position and his
opera, and only his little sister remains to
comfort him, was a bit of expressive pam
tomime that won him a double recall. and
at the denunciation of the rival who had
appropriated for his own the work of
Temples lifetime, without the aid of the
effective makeup that should be used at
that point Mr.. Miller, by sheer magnetic
force thrilled that audience as it seldom
had been moved before, and he was COM
PEELED to bow his Acknowledgements four
times before it would be satisfied.
Arthur Elliott, as the villainous Sir Geof-
frey, rose superior to the handicap of
baggy trousers and a coat worn for COM
fort rather than beauty, and gave a fin
ished and natural Interpretation of a
difficult part. Leslie Allen was perfection
In the role of a wealthy parvenu and the
other gentlemen of the company will be
better tonight when their regular cos
tunes come.
Mr.. Miller introduces as his leading juve-
nile young lady Qew to WorcesteD Miss
pretty face, and in the earlier and lighter
part Of the play was all that could be de-
sired--yivacious, piquant, unaffected She
Is rather young and inexperienced though
for deep emotional roles as yet, and the
heavier portions overweighted her. Miss
Josephine Lovett was a sprightly ingenue,
Miss Maud Hosford gave an intelligent
rendition of Lady Neylle's lines and Miss
Laura Clements clear soprano added real
ism to the operate and other musical eff
fects behind the. scenes.
The story of "Heartsea Sc" is vastly i'm
probable, but it plays Well Sir Godfrey
Pomfret wealthy baronet of musical
tastes, finding that young musician, Eric
Temple, is likely to prove his successful
rival for the hand of his cousin Miss Ne
vile, takes advantage of his aunts $, Lady
Neyille's infatuaton for Temple to ruin
the latter, and appropriates to his own
glory an opera which Eric has made his
life work. Eric returns from two years
journey on the night that the opera is pro
duced as Pomfrets and denounces the
lenged by Pomfret, but Miss Neville, com
ing to his rooms at midnight. binds him by
an oath not to fight, but later, stung by
Pomfret's repeated insults, PUSHES from
oath and demands that he kill his adver-
sary. CThis. scene by the way, is identical
with, the climax Of an old play, Car
nilla's Husband" which was a popular
melodrama during the fifties. 1t would be
unlSind to call it a plagiarism but it Is a
remarkable coincidence.) After the duel,
which results unpleasantly for Sir Geof-
frey, all is explained and everything ends
happily.
The Incidental music, by w. w. Furst.
u strong addition to the effectiveness of
the principal scenes, and was well rem
dered by the orchestra. Stage Manager
Doran gave the company indispensable
aid in view of their scenery-less condition
and his manipulation of several parts Of
house sets to. form the theatre lobby set
ting Of the third act was a noticeably clever
makeshift.
.'Heartsease'' will be repeated tonight,
when, with its accustomed furnishings,
there will be one Of the best productions
of the year and a crowded house.
"A Southern Romance follows Friday
and Saturday.