The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-02-15

of Quincy Adams Sawyer" the pub
fishers OF the book have waited a year,
refusing the most hattering offers from
leading managers throughout the country,
until they we're assured they had the right
man To dramatize the book. and the
right parties to produce IL with the idea
OF holding strictly TO that sweet rural
charm which all readers have admired I'm
this story.
The aim has been TO reproduce with
great hdelity on the stage, the quaint
characters and the genuine New Enel
homespun atmosphere I'm which they live.
Nothing thai modern stage artifce could
do 10 give the atmosphere of realism 10
the scenes has been overlooked The
entire production. consisting OF fve big
sets OF beautiful and effective scenery, is
painted by William, Ss GILL while the
construction OF scenery and the mechsn-
ical effects are by John Foley.
The matization s. said TO have been
very ably done by Mr.. Justin Adams As
might well be imagined the story of the
play II as sweetly natural as the breath
OF the fields. the good old folks who move
in it's scenes are real, and their honest
humor and everyday views OF life are
cheerful while throughout the clever
chain of events runs the golden thread of
a unique love story. The play is pre-
sented ny a carefully selected company
OF we'll known artists.
The Providence Opera House will have
A rare Offering next Thursday night and
the remainder Of the week In the engage
ment OF Maude Adams I'm j. NJ Barrle's
new comedy, Quality Street which
has received the stamp of the highest
approval in every city I'm which IL has
been played. Its recent run at the
Knickerbocker Theatre. New York prov
ing one of the most brilliant engagements
Miss Adams has ever played in the me-
tropolis. IL IN declared distinct and
admirable addition to the dramatic litera-
ture Of the day. A play that IL cast
upon high plane, that is as fragrant I'm
fts sweetness and purity summer yep
hyrs waited through nowcr-ncckod
meadows, Is worthy OF the most serious
attention. Such IL Quality Street" with
it's poetry. delicate as the odor Of laven-
der OF which IL is so redolent; dainty in
it's concoits and their expression: full of
sentiment that Is true and genuine, and
spiced with the gentle wit that never
stings and a wholesome humor that never
pals.
Ii is y simple story OF woman's heart
which nu,ters first at what proves loves
false alarm. but which i'm the end beats
steadily I'm the realization of its half
frightened desire. The soldier who goes
thoughtlessly to the wars leaving a bleed
ing heart behind returns 10 claim II in
the end. It is just such y love comedy as
Barrie might have been expected to
write, filled with soft shades, gentle In
it's progress. and happy in its ending. As
q work of it's kind IL is without a blemish.
The play is In four acts and the action
takes place In a quiet litte community in
Engls nd about the time OF the Napoleonlc
wars II deals with the fortunes OF
Phoebe ThroSsell and her sister Susan.
who live on Quality street. The quality
of the play. which covers period OF nine
years. Is very strongly suggested I'm the
following quaint arrangement OF the
synopsis:
Act /: Showing how ladylke they
we're In Quality street.
Act II or the little ladies and gentle
men who come 10 Phoebe $ school
Act Iil. Provides recipe FOR the MAX
ins or perfect female.
Act ": How Phoebe closed her school
As the heroine. Phoebe Throssell. Miss
Adams has added To her gallery OF stage
pictures OF portrsture which has all the
dsiniiness aud finer touches of art
phoebe OF the Ringlets. as she is called
in the winsome creation OF poets brain.
She is an Intensely sympathetic creature
grsCiously feminine. tender. buoyaut-in
fact. she possesses those delightful wo-
manly qualities OF which Miss Adams
may truthfully be said to be the most
pfted exponent on the stage today. The
author makes her lover describe her very
happily In the course OF the play in the
following lines:
The lilies sre her pretty thoughts,
Her shoulders are the may
Her smiles are all forget-me-nots.
The paths her gracious way.
1he roses that de- line IL are
Tier fancies walking round.
'ris swestly smelling lavender
ln which my lsdys gownrd
Miss Adams has AZ usual lsrs, snd
splendid supporting company in the cast
sre. sydney Brouah. r. Payton carter.
Joseph Frsnceour. william Levers
George Irving Frederick Spencer. Fred
Santlcy Miss Ida Waterman Miss Marion
Abbott. Miss Helen Lowell Miss Sara
Perry and MIs. Sarah Converse
The production II Q most perfect one
end one of the rrettisst ever made under
~ charles Frehman's slrsctioA