The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-31

The Wooing OF Priscilla a comedy
music by Julian Edwards, Priscilla. John
Alden and Myles standish. are characters
familiar to everybody. for the story OF
their loves has been so charmingly told
by the poet Longfellow that history and
Iieratur have combined 10 keep their
deeds ever prominent In our memories.
Even children can locate the scene in
which the Puritan maiden coyly asked
Alden. why don't you speak for your
self Johng and the deeds OF the brave
little captain are about as we'll known,
both 10 young and old The trio and
their actions have been narrated I'm MS
toric poetic and operate forms, and
last evening al the fremont theatre the
story of the Massachusetts notables was
again introduced. this time in a comedy
drama written by Stanslaus STANCE and
produced Under the title Of The WooinR
OF Priscilla for the first time on any
stage The wOoins OF Priscilla by proxy
IL 80 slight a theme for dramatic use
that Mr. STANCE has constructed other
material and situations for building up
his play. and introduced new characters
70 aid in rounding out his plot
According 20 the dramatist John wOos
and wins Priscilla I'm the traditional way
but the trcpiditlon OF Standish Is almost
duplicated In the love scenes given TO
John Carver. governor, and the widow
Hopkins Standisl and Carver In the
plaX share honors in bashtulness; Pris-
ciIa is not quite so demure as pictured by
the poet, and the wdow-well. one eX-
poets her 20 par1phrase Priscilla's Oft
quoted phrase with. 'If YOU don speak
for Yourself Jof n I Will
"The governor Is n comlcal person. and
Puritan ruler, too. and his clerk. Stowe.
ls a bibulous coward who attempts 90 pre-
vent the HoplSirs-Carve wedding, hut Is
thwarted by Priscilla, who knows him 10
be a thief and compels him 10 sanction
the marriage. Then there is a devoted
little Indian girl named Wenonah, who
informs the colonists OF proposed raids
10y the savages. Indian schemes OF plans
to murder the Purtans and a rescue by
Myles Standish and his troops, the play
ending with the union OF Alden and Pris-
ella The role OF the Puritsn girl Is
made prominent and she fgures in most
OF the principal episodes I'm the drama.
I'm some OF which her heroism is effect
lively shown. There is great deal Of
descriptive music several choruses and
two solos for Priscilla.
Although the music accomplishments 10
the long speeches are not essential. Mr.. Ed
wards deserves praise for his admirable
work Ia this direction. and he has cleverly
suggested the spoken themes i'm orches-
tration. which Is mainly given TO the
strings and wood-winds.
AS an entertainment "rhe wooing Pris-
ella" evidently pleased the immense au-
dience last evening. The house was filed
and the applause was OF the most indis-
criminate nature. probably 10 the fact that
Mr.. Edwards led the orchestra. There were
tumultuous plaudits for the principal
members OF the company after each act
and special calls for Mr.. STANCE. Mr. Ed
wards and Manager Whitney were pre-
| sented with innumerable wreaths and
| bouquets OF flowers. The two scenes were
new and quite effective and the costumes
! and stage appointments were in good
| taste and typical Of the time.
The augmented orchestra played admir-
| ably and the stage management OF tn,
\ piece was generally efficient
IL will do New Englanders good 10 Sc,
| Tho Wooinv Of Priscilla. "-Boston Globe
''The Wooing of Priscilla" will be the
| attraction at the Providence Opera House
for the week beginning next Monday.