The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-27


able of affording admirably pleasing
entertainment. III you take them all in
a bunch and consider the bill as a unit,
IL is disappointing, lacking in variety,
i'm features OF marked individuality and
in anything TO render IL conspicuous
l missed the sketches which our Provi-
dence audiences always seem so much
10 enjoy, and looked in vain for some
strong comedy feature, while confess
that IL is possible TO have too much on
a good thing, even when that thing ~
the very best OF acrobatcs and gym
nastics.
l wonder IL the American comedy
acts that go over TO entertain our Eu-
ropean cousins fall so far short OF hit
ting the mark with them as every Eu"
ropean act l have seen has done VITA
US. 1 am told that the six Sennetts are
considered great" on the other side
but IL they represent the European
standard, / don't wonder that IL takes
six of them TO entertain us.
It's rather a hard game for both Vail
more and Harry Gilfoil 70 be UP
against--appearing i'm the same bill
with acts which, while different, are
yet so nearly in the same class. Val
more has the advantage OF being nrst
on the bill, and makes decided hit Dy
the novelty and real merit OF his act,
some of his limitations being OF really
exceptional excellence; and he richly
deserves the applause he gets. Gllfol'
brings up pleasant recollections OF his
work I'm some of the Hoyt comedies:
and his limitations of the sounds OF ami.
mails are by far the best Providence au-
diences have heard, while he proves
himself the true artist by never for
second dropping the character or th7
Baron Sands, which he impersonatea
so consistently from start TO finish. To
score so pronounced a hit as he does,
after being preceded by another ex-
ceitent performer in similar line ~
about as much of "a compliment as he
could well ask.
Why does thinner persist In making
up his face as a clown and at thS same
time omitting everything else, Both In
his dress and in his act itself. that Ia
I'm keeping with that character? He IL
certainly clever enough 10 have no need
10 be afraid TO show his face as IL is;
and his act would be improved by drop
ping this superfiuous inconsistency.
Musical Dale was here too recently
10 make the act OF Nudge and Morton
go as we'll as otherwise IL might. Why
can't others as well as he put some
genuine musical feeling and expression
and delcacy into their work on the
bells? In the hands OF an artist they
are CAPABLE of delightful musical ef-
fects: and If Nudge and Morton, whs
appear to be earnest and conscientious
workers, will but reach out in that di-
rection, they may see the day whet
they won't take offense at the sugges-
ton.
rapid fire talking acts are about as
dangerous thing as a performer can
essay, because either they make
good" strongly or else they fall very
fiat and Hanley and Jarvis seem ia
have been on the right side of tho
street with theirs. They are credited
with getting at the points of their
gags" much more quickly than any
others who have been here, and I'm that
respect head the procession. They
don't use line. either. that any ono
else has used here: and 1t is very eN
dent that our audiences appreciate
them at their true worth.
I should think, though, that aftes
performers have used up fifteen min
utes three times a day for several days
without getting a laugh TO requits.
them for their efforts, they would think
IL time TO get away from themselves
or their act and make another attempt
with something else. | don't want tn
say that the Leslies are incapable OF
being pleasing entertainers. Their act
is so lacking in anything that is either
funny or otherwise notable that one
can't tell how well they might do had
they good material To work with: and
il would be unfair tn lay the blame on
them except for retaining a vehicle that
is simply large zero.
II is always pleasure to look upon
woman on the stage who is very evil
IDENTIFY pretty enough not TO require the
aid of a makeup box to make her ap-
pear so; and when she combines with
this advantage genuine cleverness. she
eah,t-reft-wrff hrfT- urafziuy herself as
greets O. Brien of OBrien and Havel on
this week Her strong arm work and
muscular control are certainly remar-
able for one of her slight physique.
OF all the female acrobats we have
seen here Minnie SaNan is undoubted-
ly the most pleasing, not only because
of her agility and her friskiness and
lively spirits. but because OF the neat
ness and finish OF all her work and the
marked air of modesty that character
ICES it, and II her husband were not as
funny and as good an acrobat as he is,
IL would be worth the price of pour
ticket to hear that grunt OF his.
You may have seen men turn them
selves inside out; but you never saw a
man turn TIE upper half OF himself
completely around while the lower half
remained fixed. And this is why you
should see the Brothers SaTour. for
this one contortion feat Is alone
enough 20 carry their act 90 success
with those who appreciate such work
one has but TO hear the applause that
greets q Brlen Of O'8rien AMI Havel on
his appearance 20 realize their popular
ity i'm Providence. Miss Havcl does a
"chappie' song capitally and other
wise contributes most pleasingly TO the
success Of their act: and Mr.. O'Brien's
tall hat somersauts are about the most
amusing and startling thing I'm the wac
OF acrobatic comedy that vaudeville
provides and enough I'm themselves
to explain his top-notch position i'm the
business.