The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-26
THE SHADES or NIGHT.

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The above are the casts OF the per-
formances given at the Providence Opera
House last evening. by the Charles Froh-
man company the first being that OF
three-act farce, "The Lash OF the Whip"
and second what is called fantastic
comedy In one act THE Shades OF
Night"
The performance, or rather both OF
them were delightful treat -narticularly
after the somewhat ponderous Shakes
perian work OF the early part OF the
week. Both works are light, and yet are
fun OF wit and grace that appeals direct
ly to the humorous side Of human nature,
and while much OF this Is due TO the
work or respective authors, not a little
is due to the talent displayed by MIR
Frohman's players
"rhe Lash OF the whip Is from the
pen OF Hennequin and Duval and it's
original French bore the title of lie Coup
de Fouet." The English translation. like
all such translations OF French plays that
deal with domestic troubles and marital
relations. has resulted in the loss OF much
of the real Wit Of the authors. but has
also resulted in gain on the lines Of
what is considered 20 be proper for the
young person 10 see and hear.
OF course. the farce is absurd, In fact
ridiculously absurd. for many Of IT'S imita-
tons are utterly impossible. but in spite
OF this, these same situations are worked
out In very ingenious manner and there
IL charm about the way In which Mr..
Frohman's players work out the prob
lem, Is almost indescribable.
As a source Of merriment the farce is "A
most decided success, and the way that
this merriment is manifested can be re-
allied at once, when the fact is con-
sidered that r. M. Holland and Fritz
Williams impersonated the two erring
husbands. OF course, the work Of these
two popular comedians was all that could
be desired, and MIR. Holland probably
never did better and more deilghtfully
amusing work than he did az DR.. Mar
cineile.
Miss Katherine Florence was like
summer breeze in her impersonauon of
Suzanne Marcinelles wife. and the bal
ance OF the east fully up 10 the
standard set by the leading characters.
Following the farce Games THE Shades
OF Night, "A delightful little comedy by
Capt. r.. Marshall. and although there
are only four characters in the cast ~
Is without exception one OF the cleverlst
pieces of work seen here for many a day.
a pair of lovers and pair of ghosts
furnish the dialogue and action In a
manner that is charmingly amusing, for
the little piece is full of real wit and hu-
NOR, and yet has a great deal i'm IL that
is true TO human nature.
OF course. in anything that has such
delicate shades of wit. good acting IL an
absolute necessity, and. as Sir Ludovic
Trivett. one of the phantoms. Mr.. r.. NJ.
Holland has a part that gives him plenty
of opportunity ts demonstrate. once again
that he is really comedian OF the first
rank
Miss May Lambert as Lady Winifred
Yester. another of the ghostly characters
is perfectly delightful inner work. one OF
the charming features OF the comedy be-
ing the refinement and Gallantry prevail
ent In earlier days, which is brought out
very vividly.
Mr.. George B. Cooper and Miss Grace
Elliston. as the flesh and blood lovers.
leave nothing TO be desired i'm the way
OF careful dramatic work. Both pieces are
well staged and, I'm fact IL may be truly
said that IL "a long time since ~ more de-
lightful performance has been given here
The same bill will be repeated this ana
tomorrow evenings and at the matinces
tomorrow afternoon.