The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-20
NEW EMPIRE THEATRE.

Governor Kimball. members OF his staff.
officers OF the brigade stan and officers
OF the Rhode Island militia graced the
opening OF the summer season al the New
Empire theatre last evening. There were
also many ladies' and gentlemen Of prom
inence in social life in attendance not
withstanding the decidedly unpleasant
weather
No one who was present but was we'll
satisfied with the efforts OF the manage
ment and with the initial performance Of
The Huntington Stock company Messrs.
Spltz and Nathanson have certainly pro-
vided their patrons for some splendid
opportunities OF seeing good plays and
good players during the season just
opened. judging by the announcements al
ready made and evidenced by last nights
performance.
Mr.. Huntington has certainly been
very careful I'm the makeup or his COM
pany and not one OF the many good words
said In favor Of the company and Its
members previous TO the company's ar
rival were unwisely used. The season
| should be very successful one for the
company and for the management OF the
company and there is little doubt the
| theatre lovers Of this city will ensure such
| a result.
one thing that won warm commenda-
tion last night was the good scenery. and
| another thing that received a good deal of
| attention was the fine costuming OF the
| ladies.
"The Social Highwayman'' is the work
OF Mary Stone and is presented under
| the direction OF L. j. Rodriguez. IL is a
| very interesting bit OF work and one
| that requires skilful actors 10 present II
| In a manner TO be acceptable. The Hunt
| ington company gave the play in
| manner that last night delighted every
| one.
Wright Huntington played the part OF
| Courtice Jaffrey, the accomplished thief
| OF a rather elevated social circle in a
conservative manner He has long had
| the reputation OF being a clever actor
| and his work last evening was OF his
customary high order Mr.. Huntington
displayed his versatility in a manner
that won warm approval.
The very earnest and difficult part of
Jenkins Handy. the servant and as
sistant. and also the gratitude bound
slave of Jeffrey. was most excellently ir-
terpreted by Ogden Stevens There is
much TO this character and there are
delicate shadings. and these are all very
carefully presented by Mr.. Stevens.
John Frederick Cook plays the part OF
Merton Hurley. which in the latter part
Of the play becomes interesting and
leaves very little to be desired. John
Sleppling is the Carous Despard, az
whose studio very interesting part of
the play Is represented. He does his work
well as also do Louis Payne as Gordon
Kay, John G. Hayden as Livingston
Remser and Lawrence Eddinger as
George Bartlett. The last three parts,
though minor ones In a play where SO
much of the interest is bound up in the
acts of the principal, Jaffrey, require to
be done well, as they are done in this
instance, in order 10 bring out the full
force of the character of the rather un-
usual Jaffrey.
Isis Maynard as the adventures and
rich woman. Sonora Caprices, gives a
careful presentation OF a never welcome
or pleasing part She has the art OF ex-
pressing scorn and revenge in a very
powerful way. Jane Irving made all that
was possible out of the part Of the Ouch
| ess OF Clayborough and the small but
| important part OF Mrs Dean, the medium,
| was exoelently done by lone Chamber
| line. Flora Parker made capital French
maid and Charlotte Wade met all the
requirements Of the part of Mrs. Munyon
| Fyles
Worthy OF special commendation was
the acting OF Grace Valais as Eleanor
Burnhsm. The character is the sweetest
and best In the play. IL at the same
time illustrates the old and often por-
trayed adage, and being very old and be-
ing often portrayed must be true, the
queer heart of a maid Very graceful,
very tender and very pathetic, IL beyond
reason, did Miss Valair represent the
character and her acting was careful and
yet never was there any evidence of
restraint. IL seemed Just delicate and
yet most lofty, as II should be-like the
perfume OF a rose. deep and yet subtle.
The company. as before stated is one
worthy of praise and support There Is
no one In IL who could be spared and the
ladies are handsome and gracious There
the evening. THE Social Highwayman"
will be presented every afternoon and
evening this week.