The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-11
Providenc. Opera House.

kanuath NiuUO George a. CCnlllef
Count Ratsi Rattatoo. William III. sloan
Count Patsi Rattatoo. -. William 1ouia
Mr.. Twiddles. ............'.;. IN DIu .'.'N.
hiIlv Bteeze .....t Frank Turner
Violet (irny y Miss Edna May
Fin Fricot Miss Phyllis Rankin
Kissie titzgarter :, Miss Marie Georae
Cora Angelinue. MISS Crlssie Saiiy.e
Pansy Pinns Miss Hattie Moore
Betty "rhe Bat. Miss Martha Franklin
Mrs Snuffy ....... Miss Minnie yarreli
Little Miss Flirt.........M Miss Rosie Wltt
Mr. Dan DAILY, the melancholy come
dian, left his oot in Boston hospital
rathor sooner than the doctors would
have ch osen for him, on purpose to COM
pete by his presence in the leading role
the production of "Tbe Belle OF New
York" for Providence audiences. The
particulaf feature which created the nc
cident that sent Mr.. DAILY to the hospital
was naturally omitted from the produc-
tion in It's opeEing at the Providence
Opera House last night, but 1T wasnt
missed. 1t was only one OF numerous bits
that contribute to this most eytraordi-
nary stage melange and could doubtless
well have been spared before Mr.. DAILY
caught conclusion OF the brain from
oyer-iDdulgence in IL. But IL Is not easy
to believe that Mr. DAILY could be- spared
from tn, pieoe and the audiences last
night testified Its appreciation OF his de-
yotion to its interest and his considera-
tion OF its natural de sire to have him, by
cordial reception upon his entrance and
rousing recall at the close OF
the performances that compelled the rails
ing of the red curtain and speech from
the comedian in which he expressed regret
that he, of all the big company. should
not be in mis- best form. AS a matter OF fact
though. his heroic effort was entirely
successful and he charmed and delighted
his audience winning recognition such
as few entertainers, who arc as little
known as nv DAILY Is in Providence, are
accorded. Before the evening was over
the big audience had oome TO like Mr..
DAILY Immensely, both because Of his
felicitous art and because OF prompt ap
probation OF tine physical sacrifice It cost
him to keep his engagement he:e.
. II is only occasionally In the course OF
n season that so elaborate production
as 1.-THE Belle of New Ycrk' Is TO be
seen. In scenery, in costumiug and in
numerical strength 1t is parallel to
grand opera or to some massive spectacu-
lar show. In theme and treatment of
course, 10 Is trivial Ii is described n
s"inusical comedy" The musical com
edy may bs described as a development
from extravaganza. 1t is the newest form
OF stage entertainment, dating back, per-
haps, no farther than the London "Gaiety
Girls" of a few seasons ago. 1.-The Belle
of New York" Is the newest example. II
is far better than the two or three pieces
of English origin that have teen seen
here.
1t not only has a pretty secure thread of
story running through IL, but the story
threatens TO be serious at times. Fol- the
rest, all is Caiety. There are vaudeville
'speciaties" in it, but the story and the
effects are not abandoned tn them. There
Is much good music, splendid chorus
singing bright diaiogue-and DAILY. Its
scenery Is varied, elaborate and very
beautiful. The ccstuming is something
10 wonder at in its lavish and fetching
variety. 1t would seem that the whole
corps of seventy or more players and
singers that fill the stage must spend
most of the time they are away from the
footlights in changing costume. And
the costumes ara as novel and attractive
as they are numer and wonderfully
varied. The ballet is uniquely costumed
and its dances have the touch OF novelty.
The beautiful scenery and the attrac-
tive costuming of big stage full of
people produce a Kaleidoscope OF pictures
to delight the eve. The whole thing is
mosU lavish. AS to the performers, they
are a clever lot, tic men, while the wom-
Ell include remarkable variety in win
someness in the coterie led by Miss Edna
Nay, Miss Phyllis Rankin, Miss
Marie George and Miss Crissie Carlyle.
The story opens with the crash OF a
bachelor supper in its last stages, when
the young host, who has Just reached 81
and is to be married OF the morrow,
sings from n position on the table a song
with the refrain;
cit is easy enough to be twenty ono
IL is easy enough TO marry
But to try to work both games at once
Is pretty big load to carry
And while the young man reforms ana
gives up the queen, Of comic opera and n
subsequent Little Parislenne for some
thing more calming To the nerves, the
spontancity Of the opening scene never
flags anywhere throughout tho big pro-
ductiop.
The Delle Of New York" is here for n
week with the usual matinosS Wednes-
dayand Saturday.
CORBETT'S LATEST.