The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-05

what trivial order with the consequence
that audiences have been elad 10 plesh
Mr. Bigelow for much or the comiort
and satisfaction that was derived there-
"Papa's Wife" which opened three
nights and matinee engagement AT the
Providence Opera House last evening. ~
the kind of a meringue which makes us
reioince because of Mr.. Bigelow. To be
sure. Mr.. Bigelow Is neither the originator,
nor the composer. nor the writer nor
the star. Despite which happenstsnce,
he is rather close 10 the whole thing-
fortunately for the audience.
"Papa's Wife has "a remarkable line
age according to the suggestion afforded
pedigree a. having been founded upon
two French vaudevilles by NM. Henne-
quin and Millaur. written by Harry ".
Smith, composed by Reginald DeKoven.
A. B, Sloane and Herve. and offering as
the titulary star Mile. Anna Held.
Nevertheless, and for all MN. Henne-
quin and Miliaud. and Smith. DeKoyen,
Sloane and Herve. and even Miss Held,
omitted.
Anna Held with her extraordinary
tumble OF hair. her unusual face, which
Is long I'm profile and spare In front
view and pertly pretty from all points OF
the compass her small and 1.-THE figure,
n fair twin 10 Edna Mays, only more 80,
her accent and her shrug, is an attrac-
ion that is nevertheless lacking in the
variety necessary to a sustained perform
ance OF an evenings Length.
Hence the plainly indicated utility Of
OF enduring entertainment seem infinite
Miss Held Is like a piece Of Dresden
china and "Papa's Wife" is built on her
moId-with break k-throughs ny Bigelow.
it ~ a trivial, pretty little thing. is this
musical comedy with pretty tableaux and
pretty music and pretty nonsense, but one
would weary OF the pretttness were IL
NOT Tor the robust drollery Of Bigelow.
The scene for the second act Of "Paps's
Wife" ts about az choice a hit OF stage
art as Is often put together. IL H. az IN
terror painted In dainty designs OF last
century Frenchiness and exquisite color
ing. Little tables are set with bright
pieces for wedding supper, the chorus
III cortumed on the general plan Of
semble is a captivating spectacle.
One OF the chief objects attained by
This act fs the coid-blooded advertising Ui
certain brand OF champagne. Adver-
tising worked into stage piece is al
ways offensive To an audience OF any
moderate sort OF intelligence aud this
act OF Papa's Wife" Is more than
commonly slaring example OF IL.
real thing" is slipped by the Company com ny
and this Is 40 evident that u is not at
all to be wondered at that the exodus OF
curtain falls IN unusually spontaneous
and numerous. " seems like a very drv
time IN the auditorium when the boy
u Is easier to comment upon "papa's
Wife" than 10 describe g. IL Is particus
lsfly tr0thy-even with the advertised
Champagne left out--light and trivial
There " music, dancing. and, perhaps a
PIN. a. well as Mr. Ricelow
The small company OF principals srzaIl
first class as a glance at the names IN
the cast attests.
Mics Held r. worth seeing on the rare
occasions when she comes 10 town for
ner own sake rather tbsn Tor anv'hing
she does outside very dainty and nm.
variesated specially all her own Tho an
tics and abandon OF Mr. Biceiow are an
unfailing delight