The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-01
At the Theatres.

Richard Golden whose "Old Jed Prouty'
presented at the Providence Opera House
this week. stands today as 81 type OF
character portraiture which has never
been surpassed on the American stage, is
a much younger man than he Is popularity
supposed to be.
When seen as "old jed his makeup is
simply perfect and the Illusion OF hale
old age is so convincing that the trans
formation toecoal black hair and eye
brows strongly indivldnalizing face
lined only by the wrinkles about the eyes
wnere comedy has stood on tiptoe is rath-
er startling Equally so is the actors
frank statement that he has been ''in
the business for thirty years. Think OF
IT,
The man who has devoted three decades
of his life To making people laugh, To
whisking the broom Of humor UP among
the cobwebs OF care and worry that will
gather I'm the top stories of humans. tn
sending the merry CLEAN of the footlights
into the darkest corners Of weary hearts
that man is not misnamed public ben
efactor.
No such dignfed pose was assumed by
the comedian during his chat with "A
was simply one actor. a man who In his
time has played many parts and tried 10
plav them well.
Now, Mr.. Golden, tell US, OF all the
characters you have played. don't YOU
think Old Jed Prouty the best Of all?''
I asked.
~ shoult say I do" came the hearty
response. II think do not fatter myself
too far when I say that upon the lines
OF my play have been built similar plays.
In fact I believe that "Old Jed Prouty'
when first produced by me. was Just
about ten years ahead Of its time. ] felt
at the time that the work was correct.
true and accurate. There were no false
notcs In &C., that today has been demon
strnted TO my great satisfaction"
welt YOU see II was I'm this way. l
was born IN Bangor. Me. All my early as
sociations were among those simple. hon
est. quaint New England folk. In 1861
disappointed my fathers ambition for me
to enter the navy by determining 10 go
on the stage This determination was not
born of any conviction that had espe-
ciel talent OF any kind. 7 did IL 20 place
, mvself on an Independent financial foot
ing SO To speak. I passed through all
sorts of experiences with all kinds of
| shows, which | will pass over now. Each
summer I returned 20 my old New Eng
| land home and mingled again with the
people whom ! had known III chlluh"od
and early boyhood.
Gradually ! began 90 realize the poetic.
/ almost ideal atmosphere of the place as
| compared with the turmoil and hustle OF
the outside world I began 20 study the
| inhabitants. not that 7 needed 20 study
4 them exactly. for I was of them. hut
] rather to observe them. To- note the peace
! fil trend of their lives. their truth, their
| sincerity, their kindness OF heart. I was
| ANNOYED at the cNaggerations or tho down
1 east Yankee that had been placed upon
| the stage. | felt that he had been wrong
! ga and that reparation was due him Add
! cd 10 this was the conviction that no ex-
3 angeration was necessary 90 make the
I genuine down east Yankee attractive and
/ Interesting upon the stage
| n began TO sketch the character OF
! 'Oid Jed lie was a real character ss are
| nearly All the people IN the play. Part OF
? the trial scene was taken verbatim from
I records OF an actual trial. which once
\ took place I'm Bucksport. so the play or
| old led Prouty was written.
| I'VE rehearsed the company in Bucks
| port Almost the entire costumins % the
| play was procured right in Bucksport. The
scenes were painted from photographs OF
| Rucksport interiors ana exteriors In that
| wav We obtained sufficient element %
| realism without making u too dominant.
Tho pias wn~ produced sud was sue
| cess. a. I knew n would be- Their, h. a