The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-31
81 sx ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~
The Theatres.
Ia" s' r. ~ q" q" q" ~ ~ ss- q. xr r. - e"
Providence Opera House.

PROVIDENCE Upefd Rouse.
Duke de Coutras. Worthing
George Mantel...............V Serrano
M. ilon....,.......,...W w. j. LeMoyne
Baron trouard. ......... ~. G.. Saville
NJ. Lucas. s....................R. Hickman
Frederic, age A...........F. Sedgwick
Iaui' age lO..,..............G .Gretta Carr
JOotman. .................M. Thorpe
Duchess de Coutras
Sarah Cowell- LeMoyne
Catherine Vallon. Annie Russell
Helene, Viscountess de Grissoles,
Elsie De Wolfe
Baroness Frouard. ...........E Ellen Gail
Madeleine de Coutras. Clara Bloodgood
blancne NallOn. n...........,. Mlllle James
JeaHhe........... cara hunter
Louise. Beatrice Mailman
1t is trite story that Henri Lavedan
tells in Catherine" which was given
it's first presentation I'm this city at the
Providence Opera House last evening.
Trite as the main theme is, however,
IL is so delicately and deftly treated
that it's familiarity is forgotten. and IT
impresses one as a new message of
honest love triumphing over doubt, de-
ception and assembling. A young man
OF high degree" marries "A music
teacher. She is fair to look upon and
possesses all the attributes OF character
that make a woman most charming.
But there Is a gulf between them, i'm
perceptible at first, but there, never
theless. She feels that her husband in
lifting her to the rank of duchess has
sacrificed something of his social dig
nifty. while he, normally true-hearted.
lis not without misgivings as To the
wisdom of his marriage. Thus far the
story is simply one of caste which
Robertson and other dramatists have
presented i'm various aspects. But at
this point NJ. LaVedan, while using a
threadbare theme for his foundation,
goes into new and pleasant paths. He
gives picture OF a noble-hearted, sim
cerc mother, who is not swayed by
considerations Of place or pride. Her
sons happiness and that Of his wife is
more TO her than the tinsel OF title.
No more loVable and true-hearted a
character has been drawn by contem-
poraneous dramaists than the Duchess
de Coutras. There is also another no
table figure. that of the low-born, but
self sacrificing, lover of Catherine. He
is a Sidney Carton transplanted one
of those humans who can put duty
above personal inclination and rend his
own heart TO make others happy. There
is only one jarring note in Catherine"
IL is Helene. Perhaps she is necessary
10 the development OF the plot but she
is disturbing element, and one would
wish that the author had found n less
Objectionable means OF achieving his
end. Her plea for one hour of the life
of the duke is the plea of the shallow
hearted Cyprian. and such character
Is unworthy Of place in such a sweet
and wholesome drama.
Miss Russell has been seen i'm Provi-
dence many times but never to better
advantage than I'm her Characterization
of Catherine. Her art, as displayed
last evening, is soft and delicate. There
is no straining for effect She is plastic
and pliable. easily moving from one
mood to another and without giving any
evidence of the change. Indeed. il can
be said i'm truth that Miss Russells
performances of the present dramatic
season. Sweet and subdued as il is. il
has the underlying element of power
which impresses and carries convic-
ton.
a fitting companion piece to Miss
Russell's charming portraiture is Mrs.
LeMoynes impersonation Of the char
acter Of the Duchess de Coutras. Not
only does she act with authority and
grace. but with a truth and sincerity
that is impressive. Mrs. Lemoyne
touches the heart-strings, and no
higher compliment can be paid her
than the recording Of this fact. The
other members of the cast are singu-
larly capable. Indeed. each is deserv-
ing OF the highest praise for the work
done and il may be added that those
who fail to see Catherine during the
present week will miss one of the most
elevating and enjoyable dramatic, Of
ferings of the season.