The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-03
PROVIDENCE OPERA. HOUSE.

ingenious and delightfully."- interesting is
the plot 50 cIeverly portrayed in "rho
Wooing OF Priscilla" at the Providence
opera House this week. The initial
performances yesterday afternoon ana
last evening attested by exceedingly large
audiences that the idyllic comedy drama
is thoroughly appreciated. while the
sparkling music Is equally enjoyed.
Little did Longfellow think that his
'courtship Of Myles standish" would be-
come popular in drama, as well as in
verse. while ever memorable must be his
pew picture OF the bucolic maiden ina her
spinning wheel IN the following lines:
piled at her knee; her left hand feeding
the ravenous spindle,
While with the right she sped and STAYED
the wheel I'm It's motion"
n Around this rustic-lIke nucleus stan.s-
l1aus STANCE has woven melange Of
more than passing interest historical as
well as histrlonic. Nearly a half CEN
FURY has passed since Longfelows lines
Nwere penned, but still todays dramatic
transformation IS none the less bright
and interesting, while Il CONVEYS i'm n
4 manner at once logical and consistent
with stage traditions the picture Of the
fbashful warrior and his Intellectual SUIT
NO elaborate attempt at scenic effect IS
made. the simplicity OF Puritan life being
iollowed In costuming and stage setting
The incidental music composed by
Julian Edwards Is OF commendable cuai-
ity and consistent I'm its Character with
the incidents OF the play.
Ihe cast OF characters and certainly
Fred {. Whitney is. TO be compiimented
on MS excellent choice is as follows:
Priscilla, the Puritan maiden. Effe EllsIer
John Alden. the Captains Friend ..
'',............-........... Howell IIanscll
John Carver. governor of Plymouth.
.''.........,... ............. Robert McWade
Elder Williams, Priscllla's father.
.'..................,.M Milton j. Douglass
Richard Stone, clerk OF Plymouth m
=. '.......s..,,.,,.-....,..Ge George X. Henry
rom Allerton..,....... Edgar Courtney
Gubert. stephen, Henry. Morten and
oiles,...,........,So Soldiers NJ Plymouth |
I'll. 7. Morey. George Sawyer, Steven
Phillips, Jack Doubleday and
Wright Noble. ...............
Mistress Mary Hopkins, a widow.
...........,,................ .Nellette Reed |
Wsttamet Samoset and wenonah In
dians OF the Massachusetts tribe
Joseph w. Smiley. Frank Beamish
and abb STANCE.
Myles Standish, Captain of Plymouth
.-.......................E Edmund ID. Lyons
The drama Is in three acts. the first be-
Ing the exterior OF the Plymouth church
The day of the return OF the Mayfower.
April g. 1921 and the second that of
Priscilla's home. about a mile from the
main settlement. The third act Is from
a scenic point OF view equally realistic.
while the costumes and properties are
truly apropos
As demure maiden Miss Effe EHsler
Is as vivecious as she is ever charming
while Edmund y. Lyons as Myles stan
dish. is more than equal 10 the occasion
In his excellent Interpretation OF the char
acter. Howell Hsnsell H. true 10 Puritan
edicts as John Alden while Robert Nc
Wade, Milton J. Douglass. George X
Henry and Edgar Courtney easily meet
The requirements OF their parts Miss
Nellette Reed hlls the role Of widow
gracefully and successfully
The Nooing OF Priscilla" with tho IA
nous spinning wheel viii delight au-
diences at the Providence Opera House
for the remainder of the week the usual
being given Wednesday and
afternoons.