The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-25
::::heatres. g:

Perhaps taere Is no drama written In
ieesmt times which has attracted 80 much
aitenuon apd which has been waited for
ro long ynd 80 impatiently by theatre
natroils instnls city as the production OF
sherlock Holmes" with William Gillette
In the title role. which VIII bc presented
by Charles Frohman az the Providence
Opera House tonight.
There are millions OF readers OF con-
temporancous fiction who have been
charmed by the adventures OF Conan
Doyle's famous detective, and the stories
are among the most popular ever written,
When Mr.. Gillette. who had already half
"A score OF successes 10 his credit am
nounced the fact that he would produce
Sherlock Holmes" at the Garrick last
season the wise ones shook their heads
and predicted failure.
II did not seem that dramatization
was possible. Mr.. Gillette, however.
sprang surprise on his audience on the
first night, for he had written play
which became an enormous success,
play which was universally pronounced
to be the most thrilling and interest alb
sorbing drama ever seen on any stage.
The result WAS that Tor all OF last year
at the Garrick Theatre New York, Mr.
Gillette played sherlock Holmes To
standing room at every performance, and
this season I'm the principal cities which
ne has visited his play has created the
greatest sensation OF the season. There is
no doubt about the success OF Mr. Gil
lette and Sherlock Holmes I'm Provi-
dence. Always a favorite here. he is sure
OF hearty welcome and there is no
doubling the fact that the capacity OF the
theatre will be tested during his stay.
The story chosen by Mr.. Gillette has TO
do with hitherto unpublished incident
I'm the career OF the great detective. show
ing his connection with the strange case
of Miss Faulkner, and the main interest
in the story revolves aground the battle
for supremacy between Prof Moriarlty.
the chief OF London underworld and
Holmes.
Introduced into the play are nearly all
OF the Characters which are familiar TO
readers OF the stories and Mr.. Gillette has
said 10 have so cleverly constructed his
drama as to give a complete idea of the
whole series within the compass OF an
evenings entertainment. Az the hero he
Is said TO fully realize the imaginings In
dulged In by those who are familiar with
the stories. for not only does he show the
art Of Sherlock Holmes" but his manner
and methods OF thinking and working
and mental processes. and even his pan
thological idiosyncracies meet every re-
quirement OF the book and fill the eye
with pleasing and poetic satisfaction.
So much has been said about Mr.. Gill
lette's scenic production that no notice OF
his coming would be complete without a
reference 10 IL. For years this well known
actor-author has been known and ac-
knowledged to he the greatest master Of
stage craft I'm this country. The realism
OF his productions has always been a
prominent feature. but unique and realis-
tic, az were the effects introduced i'm his
other successes, and he has some dozen
10 his credit, they do not approach the
intensity OF realism which has been at
tained N Sherlock Holmes"
Scenically all that modern art I'm stage
craft can 40 has been done and as though
not satisfied with this Mr.. Gillette has
introduced electricity to produce effects
more novel and startling than has ever
before been seen on any stage, and local
theatre patrons may be prepared 10 see
something of "A decidedly striking nature
Theatre patrons must remember that the
curtain rises at a quarter before eight
each evening, and that they are expected
10 be In their seats at that hour.