The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-14
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KElTH'S NEW THEATRE.

Even the high favor with which Tho
Dancing Girlf was received last week
promises to be- oclpsed by that which will
be enjoyed by 'rhe Senator" as pre-
last evening. While naturally the play
centers around the part or senator Rivers.
II is by no means "A one-part play design
ed solely FOR the exploitation of a star;
and there are 80 many other characters
which In the hands Of capable players
may bc made really conspicuous that the
company az a whole \ presented 10 bet
ter advantage than in any previous offer
ing. The house was crowded in All parts
last evening and the applause generous
~, but observation-disclosures, bestowed, as
well as the hearty laughter that greeted
every witty line or amusing situation, In
dicated that no performance yet given
by this company has afforded so much
satisfaction and enjoyment as whole.
The play, which may be styled comedy
drama, has a most interesting story;
and the interest IL aroused AZ the very
outset and well maintained 10 the end.
Its local color is strong and generally ac-
curate; and IL reveals much truth regard
ing the conditions of Washington life,
as well AZ throwing many strong side
lights OF society and politics at the ma
tional capital. Love, Intrigue "husi-
ness methods in legislation and gener-
e.ss impulses are all happily eamhined= =itt
the development of the story; and. while
the lines are often keenly witty and
many OF the scenes genuinely humorous,
there H. sufficient dramatic strength TO
raise the piece above the level OF ordinary
comedy.
''The Senator is staged IN the same
elaborate. careful and handsome style as
it's predecessors: and It's opportunities for
the display OF elegant gowns enable the
ladies Of the company again 90 astonish
and delight their sex and all admirers of
the beautiful and artistic. The perform
ance was remarkably smooth, too, for
Monday evening, and I'm this respect es-
pecially deserves commentator, for It's
requirements impose a most difficult task
for stock company, which can give
less than "A week 20 preparation for any
production.
Mr. Williams. In the titlo role. scored
his greatest success Yet as "A member OF
this company The role is n most trying
one in many ways. making severe
strain on the memory aud vitality OF any
actor, and the memory of it, assumption
by William ~. crane H. too fresh not 10
invite comparisons. I'm this respect, how
ever, Mr.. Williams suffered not the least:
and IL would seem that his work could
hardly be improved upon. His breezy, an
imated style, the success with which he
infused the generous good nature of the
character into every scene. and the com
pleteness of his grasp of its possibilities
for humor. made his Senator Rivers an
assumption long To be remembered.
Miss Bergere, as Mrs. Hilary, appealed
very strongly To the interest and sym
pathy of her auditors. and played with
delicious humOr and sparkle, making the
character thoroughly charming i'm what
ever light IL WAS viewed. She wore four
superb new gowns that were Veritable
dreams" Miss Leigh made the charac-
ter OF Mabel Denmsn extremely sweet
and attractive. and invested IL with a
quiet charm and depth OF interest that
were Irresistible.
Mr.. Winter, as rascaly, fawning
lawyer, did a splendid bit of character
work, which In makeup and acting was
not only particularly effective, but highly
amusing. Miss Hadley for the first time
was seen in a part which seemed worthy
OF her abilities, and most successfully
demonstrated her fitness for II. playing
with force and presenting it's rather sad
side OF feminine character with much
intelligence and proper conception OF
it's emotional requirements; and she wore
two beautiful gowns with charming
y
conscienceless Austrian count, admirably
brought out the salient features OF the
character without making IL unduly re-
pulsive, and played with much finish and
his customary intelligence.
Miss Handy added run and life I'm large
measure to every scene In which she app
peared. and fairly divided the honors
with some more important roles. while
Mr. Thomas. as her co-conspirator i'm the
more frolicsome side of the play. did his
usual excellent work. Miss Remer made
Mrs Schuyler an exceedingly attractive
and entertaining widow, Mr.. Fairohild
added another highly successful aSsump-
ton TO his list of. excellent impersona-
tons and played with delightful humor,
Mr.. owen made Baron Ling Ching n most
picturesque and amusing personality, Mr..
Leland was AN acceptable Secretary Arm
strong, Mr. Arthur did his little very
well. and Mr.. Marsh, i'm the best role he
has yet attempted gave "A careful, PAINS
taking and very creditabe impersonation
of Silas Denman, the venerable claimant,
Next saturday afternoon Miss Sadie
Handy will give an ice cream reception
To the young ladies and children after
the performance. and next week North
ern Lights will he the attraction.