The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-09
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.

While seen several times before In this
city. the grand dramatization OF Henryk
Sienkiewicz's great novel "Quo Vadis. -
made by Stanislaus STANCE. seems Ia
lose none OF its popularity. for there were
good audiences at the Providence Opera
House both yesterday afternoon and eve-
ming, the Monday afternoon matinee prov
ing TO be quite popular.
OF course. the book has been so gen
orally read and the subject treated is SO
easy to understand, that IL Is not sur
, prising that there is a desire TO see the
leading incidents OF the great work WV
idly portrayed by people who have be-
come closely identified with the lead
ing roles.
OF course, the work OF Mr. STANCE Is
nothing but a melodrama, but AZ Is a mel
odrama that very clearly and very
faithfully illustrates the life OF Rome at
the period OF *. d., 70. IL also brings out
very yiyldly the terrible trials OF the
early Christians, who preferred death 70
The abandonment of their faith, but, OF
course, much that Is impressive In the
book cannot be brought out In the play.
Still "Quo Nadis" while not a great
play, and while not famous as = vehicle
fall TO impress and please, while TO those
who are disposed 10 accept the grand les
son IL teaches there is a great deal OF
food for wholesome thought. Claptrap
there Is none, and while there is no lack
OF thrilling incident, every situation is
brought out with "A dignity which adds
force TO the climaxes.
Much OF the success of "Quo Vadis" is
undoubtedly due To the magnilcence OF
the scenic effects and 10 the elaborate
costumes worn I'm fact. it is generally
admitted that the piece is. perhaps. with
one or two exceptions. the most elabo-
rate from a scneic standpoint now OH the
road. Some OF the scenes were particu-
larly grand. and notably that OF the gar
den or Linus, and also that OF the circus,
with a view OF the arena.
That all of the display of color and
grandeur of apparel adds very largely 10
the impression made by the play cannot
be denied, but then there is no doubt that
~ is just as much a part OF the perform
snce as the speaking parts, and In some
OF the scenes even more.
The company, which is large one, is
fully adequate 10 meet the demands of
the piece, which are not large there be-
ing no opportunity for really artistic
work. There Is, however a very pleas
ing absence OF rant something unusual
in plays Of this kind. or the members OF
the company the best are Edward ID. I.y-
ons as Nero. Marcus Ford as Ninicius
Wadsworth Harris ms Petronius, William
Newell az Chilo. Charles Riegel az Trr-
sus. Roselle Knott as Lygia and Nelette
Reed as Poppsea.
All OF the others I'm the cast do what
ever they have 10 do I'm a satisfactory
manner. The groupings and mob gath
erings are admirably handled. and there
is an absence of confusion, " Htfi denotes
the result OF long and careful training
ON the part OF the stage manager. One
OF the delightful features of the piece Is
the special music arranged by Mr.. Julian
Edwards.
QUO Nadis' WIN be repeat ted tonight
tomorrow night and tomorrow afternoon.
when the engagement will close. on
Thursday night. John Drew will open his
brief engagement I'm the drama tization
of Winston Churchilrs novel Richard
Carvel"