The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-02
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.

Illlctfndn.
frvant Cat Mrs. Clarence s).....,...".
........,...........,.... 6iIpert pousias
atchman .......................W. ASHTON
oy....................... Thomas Morris
hper .......................E Phiilps
ne Messenger from Mars. III. Stephenson
Iiss Parker ........ Miss Hetta Bartlett
10. Clarence ce............. Miss Adie Burt
ella .................M Miss Lillian Morgan
ply ...............,.......... MISS tomstock
Flower Girl. Miss Marie DE Becker
Poor Woman. .. Miss Lydia Rachel
jimmie Templer. Mss Frances Belmont
At the Providence Opera house. for the
eek with the only matinee on Saturday,
ir. Charles Hawtrey OF England. In "A
essage from Mrs." by Richard Ganth-
ny.
New actor and new play.
Different sort OF an actor. different SORT
play.
Nothing quite like either ever on ex-
bftion.
Distinctive In respect to the star and
be play and distinctly entertaining,
In fact one OF the moSt entertaining
hings that this or any other season has
norded Impossible however to illus
tate the distinction by comparison since
is un.que-a novelty In theme, IN
Sethod. In entertaining quality.
Once in a while a real novelty In the
lay OF a play drops in--something. that
!, that Is not alone new and fresh as a
ramatic BIT but is novel IN its atmos-
ftsre-as distinct from the usual run as
u operate work In different from a meio-
ance. was "His Exceilency the Gov
rnor." Perhaps the Royal Family"
fas ano her such unlike anything OF the
tage Neither OF these was more dis
nctive or distinguished than "a Message
rom Mars"
The writing and presenting OF novelty
ke this must take nerve. The stage In
fedded 10 Its conventions. To undertake
entertain us In an unexpected and un-
bnventional way Is risky. Still expert
.hce has demonstrated that IL entertain
lent Ia real, success Is assured despite
be absence OF the conventions and the
suai machinery.
There is no question about the enter
Aining quality OF "A Message from
lars" Unusual as II Is, IL has good
cal Of the human element that is com
BON 10 us all and no end OF good humor
bout II. Then. II is capitally done. Mr..
fawtrey is inimitable. He Is welcome
ddition to our big list OF bright young
nd making hfe the pleasant for US all,
.hc,uding our especially interested friend,
$ev. Mr. Cristy, who Is taking his the
ter I'm ailopathic doses just now, accord
hg to common report
We fancy Mr.. Cristy would like "A
Iessage from Mars" particularly well. II
as a moral Ho II albeit the same is mcr-
ly conveyed and you laugh so much You
ont care. As a problem play. Its prob
A1I 4lsxls s,s.l. a.l 49, aF4A
| ody can possibly take exception 10 IL.
fs serrnuu, but as II hits most OF US
re are bound 10 like H. And the sermon
not preached. which adds to its value.
khere preaching begins the good OF a
ermon too often ends.
Nobody can very we'll help falling I'm
Dve With "a Message from Mars and
Nth Mr. Hawtrey, for the matter OF that
not TO get sentimental over the matter.
Ie Is a charming fellow and his play Is
charming play. IL is. curiously enough.
he sort OF a play that l0-year old child
,ould enjoy and appreciate and that the
,ost hardened sinner would likewise re-
9ognize as good thing. and yearn to see
again II Ii absolutely simple, IL II no
nd OF fun. and yet there Is a lot OF down
light substantial stun about II calculated
o commend those numerous folk who
lain an average intelligence and even a
|rfiical faculty.
Hawtrey takes the part of fellow who
thoroughly selfish and naturally
oesn't know 1t. He is an egotist of the
most offensive kind and cad In the bar
ain. From Mars comes a messenger who
Undertakes TO reform him for the beneni
In those around him and his own perma-
ent pleasure and satisfac. ion. The Mar
liam has a hard time OF II but he con-
uers in the end. The process is de-
nonstrated in the fellows dream from
which he awakens TO lead better life
nd Incidentally win the charming gir
hat his crankiness and self suffic.encS
had we'll nigh alienated.
| Thatris the simple tale. IL is told ir
hree acts that keep the audience hugely
Interested ana In a rarerly merry mood
dr Hawtrey is remarkable for an en-
,aging smile which he gives TO his audi
Ince. without committing the fault OF ap
bearing 10, and voice like woman,
Without being a bi, effeminate. We have
nothing Just like him, although he nigh
,asily ut a Nat Goodwin role and as east
v. we guess, a John Drew suit of clothes
Je has wonderfully easy and uncon
,entional way with him so that, with hi
mile ana his voice. an audience seems
O get on sociable terms with him ant
ollows him IN his surprising experience
Nj n n very cordial personal interest.
There are few other characters in tn
,lay OF any Importance. They are all II
he nature OF Feeders" like the lot o
.oles I'm the Pilgrims Progress" for In
aance. But II Is a good strong fine bi
,f acting that Mr.. Hawtrey provides. un
Isurpa ssed in its quie, forcefuness and IL
,ase and grace. notable for exquisite
ouches and altogether Characterization
hat Is wonderfully finished and polished
This Is a great season at the Providenc
opera house. Never before has ther
,een such an uninterrupted list or reall!
admirable sttrao ions at the very outse
IN ,he season The variety has been re
nhrkable. too But for genuine incom
parable novelty. "A Message from Mars
the bright particular thing. IL I
stamped with clerverness and Is fragran
)f originality
And much the same figure OF speech ap
plies 20 Mr.. Hawtrey. He is genuin