The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-23
IMPERIAL THEATRE.

There was very large and very repre-
sentative audience at the Imperial thea
tire last evening to witness the first per-
formance at the handsome new theatre
which Manager wendelschaefer has open
ed TO the public Everything about last
evening at this playhouse would seem to
Indicate that the deservingly popular
manager had started another success If
success at the start is an augury Of con-
tinued prosperity then that Of the Imper-
ial is assured
The fresh beauty of the new house per-
haps had something 10 do with the feel
ing of pleasure and OF satisfaction with
things that was very often evidenced last
evening. 1t would be safe remark that
there never was a more thoroughly sat
isned audience than was the one that APP
plauded in most generous manner the
players.
The Four Cohans In THE Governor S
SON. was the Offering that Manager
Wendelschaefer presented. II would have
been impossible TO have made more
really satisfactory selection. Certainly
the audience was satisfied with every act
and the curtain calls were unusually nu-
merous for a theatre in this city. The
company received perfect ovation
THE Governors Son. has met with
great success in other places. II must
please everyone who visits the new play
house this week and everyone of course
wants to see the new theatre. 1t is prob
ably the best thing that the Cohans have
ever presented. The fun is bright and
some of the situat tions decidedly clever.
George NJ Cohan is sharper and funnier
than ever.
There is a pleasant attempt at plot In
the piece though. of course the fun max
ing is not hampered thereby. The situa-
tions are well chosen 10 keep fun and In
tercst I'm happy combination. Attempt al
plot is used because the story done by
others than the Cohans would not be as
easily discerned. There artists have long
been decided favorites here and there is
no place that they with more reason
should be popular.
Jerry j. Cohan plays the part of Benja-
min Curtis, a man rather elderly and
rich, who has married a woman younger
than himself and is very jealous In a way
that brings out most agreeably the main
points in the character George NJ Co
han takes the part OF Aigy Wheelock
the governors son, and IL is "A part that
gives him ample opportunities to create
FUN and make blunders in a way that
has long been his favorite manner. He
got n very warm reception last night
as did the three other Cohans. His work
last night was brighter, neater and IN
every way better than any he had III
TO that time done i'm this city.
Miss Josephine Cohan has funny and
interesting part in that of Mrs. Dickinson
She has an opportunity to sing. do hel
clever dancing and to incidentally show
also some marked ability In a few bits o
more earnest work. Helen r. Cohai
| makes the part of Mrs. Curtis very sat
| iefactory' She has a merry part. witt
/ some masquerading TO do, and il was al
| well done, and the audience reminded he
| that she had a very strong hold on Provi
| dence audiences.
Irving Brooks as Dickinson, the runawa,
| husband disguised as "A detective. who 1
| trying TO find himself. was decidedly
| amusing and he did some fine characte
/ work Ethel Levey, taking the part o
| little bit of girl, certainly added he
| full share TO the evenings pleasure Sh
| did some good singing and dancing, an
! Gertrude Rutledge as the widow, was dc
| cidedly clever. and she has a good voic
| that she uses well. The other fun maker
| are equal TO the requirements.
There are pretty women who sing we
| In the chorus and there are number o
| catchy songs The stage was always
pretty picture There is double cur
| for the blues this week-the new theatr
| and the excellent entertainment that In
| four Cohans and company offer
There were floral offerings in evidenc
! and one. "A very beautiful one. was "fror
the boys at the Providence"
During the performance last evening
] flashliEht picture OF the theatre ana audi
| cnce was taken