The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-04-09
THE STAR TOWN.
Providence Tsk,s The Palm for Fine
Vaudeville Aud ercsS.
Compliment Of Mss Wainwright, Who Ap-
psapd al Kslla's Last Weak.

Prominent actors and actresses who
have been seen in vaudeville have said
many things calculated to please the
atregoers OF Providence, but IL re-
NAMED for Miss Marie Wainwright, at
the conclusion OF her engagement on
Saturday evening, to crown the COM
plment.
without any exception" said the
distinguished actress, PROV dence 10
the star town of the country in re-
spect to the character OF the audiences
that patronize vaudeville. There are
many cities and many theatres which
boast OF their fashionable vaudeville
audiences; but there Is certa My none
which may justly be compared with
Providence i'm the remarkable charac-
ter of the audiences seen day after day
and night after night at keiths. In
some Of the largest cities and some OF
the best managed and highest toned
vaudeville theatres there seems to be
little ev dent appreciation Of what may
be termed the better class OF vaudeville
acts-those which require the same
grade of histrionic ability that is found
IN the best productions seen in the So
called Legitimate theatres, and the
TO meet the requ rements, but actually
TO represent the limit of the popular
taste.
"In Providence have found it plain
iy evident that the audiences are or
that discriminating, intelligent and
cultured class. as a rule. that not only
appreciates. but seems 20 expect and
perhaps almost TO demand, together
with the general variety of comedy
sketches and sight acts others which
represent the best art OF the modern
drama When these arc presented. they
are accorded that respectful attention
and evident intelligent interest that
sven more than the appreciative ap-
plause given t0-the artists demon
strates the truth Of all 7 have assert
ed NV experience on Friday evening
is another proof that cannot he gain
said I doubt II there is another city
I'm the country i'm which | would have
dared 20 ATTEMPT such serious inno.
walton as TO present a scene from a
Shakesperian tragedy IN vaudeville;
but the receptiOn accorded To my ven-
ture more than Wind Gated my judg-
ment and the courage that it really re-
quired TO make the attempt
"There could hardly have lben a
higher compliment to the city and the
character of its vaudeville audiences
than the Immense pnthprng that filed
dent character 81 tho pe0ple who filled
every ut and every inch Of standing
room. and who gave 90 my presenta-
tion az tho potion soare from Romeo
and juliet as attentive ana apprecia-
tive a hcari~r ne WIS over accorded
IN any 1egitimate theatre w which I
have ever piaved IN this country, from
Mnine 10 California.
'I see in this. too testimony OF what
has been ACCOMPLISHED hv the very
high ideal established by Mr. Keith ana
tho indefatigahle manner In which he
has unvaryinRlv maintained his high
STANDARD Of continuous vaudeville. un-
der conditions often the most trying
and against obstacles or which the gen
eral pubic can hardly have an ade-
uuate cnnception " has done and IL
dong both for The theatre and for the
atre gocrs what fear Is not generally
fully appreciated.