The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-20
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.

Kyrle Bellew, one OF the most pictu-
RESCUE figures on the English speaking
stage In this generation will return to
Providence Monday night after an alb
senoe of many years to present during
Christmas week Stanley Weyman's world
read romance OF Huguenot love and ad-
venture-"A Gentleman OF France"
Mr.. Bellew has long been considered
both in England and America the fore
most exponent OF romantic heroes, and Is
without doubt. one OF the very finest ac-
tors to be seen on the English speaking
stage today. With his classic face. and
graceful figure he seems to have been
planned by nature for hero with a
sword and a conquest OF iady's heart.
During his long run OF l60 nights at
Wallacks' in New York last season the
critics of the metropolis unanimously pro-
nounced him. the ideal representative or
romantic acting at Its best.
Ard Bellew off the stage Is fully as In
teresting as Beliew on. The romantic ca
reer OF this singularly handsome man
would appear. IL written by pen as
telling as Stanley Weyman's unfold
life story almost as intense and colortul
as that of CASTOR de Marsac-the re-
In "A Gentleman OF France"
Only one other production OF last sea-
son in the metropolis WED with this In
public interest. critical attention and
popular success-Mrs. Carter In Du Bar
~.
These two attractions won most OF the
amusement money last season. and to-
gether scored two such dramatic tri-
umphs as had not been achieved on
blase Broadway for many years.
The great sword combat on the stair
case, which proved the sensational feat
ure OF Mr.. Bellows play became the talk
Of the town and earned from 10 TO ~
curtain calls nightly from Broadway au-
diences. "A Gentleman OF France IL
set In eight gorgeous scenes and nearly
100 people are employed I'm this-the orig
inal wallacks' theatre production.
The play opens with CASTOR de Marsac
suing at the court OF Henry OF Navarro
for a chance TO WELD his sword TOT
France. Here he Is iouted and ridiculed
by the courtiers because or his poverty
and mean attire just as In Weymsns
stirring story Ere the scene is over.
however, he wins by his gallantry, the
regard OF Mile. de la Wire, the naughty
court beauty. who ultimately plays such
havoc In his life. She gives him a rose
for his quick championship when Du
Bruhl insults her.
In the next scene Henry OF Navarro
ments to offer de Marsac the dangerous
mission OF rescuing their messenger to
the King OF France from the castle OF
Chize whittier Turenne-Navarre's rival
in the leadership OF the Huguenots has
contrived 10 Danish her because or her
knowledge OF his designs to accomplish
the downfall of Henry OF Falois-then
King OF France.
De Marsac accepts the mission, and In
the third scene we see his daring rescue
OF Mile de la Wire from the beautiful cas-
tie by moonlight.
In the fourth scene, n rude lodging In
Blois. Mile. de la Wire falls In love with
her impoverished protector, but Du
Bruhl and Fresnois having followed In
the wake of the runaways now enter
during de Marsac's absence, poisoned the
ladys mind against the hero, and by
showing the kings token. gold hair
coin convince her that they are the men
chosen by Navarro to conduct her TO the
court OF Henry OF Valois, where she Is TO
tell the story OF Turenne's dupiicity
against the throne.
In the fifth scene the great fight on
the staircase occurs wherein dc Marsac
retakes her from the clutches OF the
kings enemies. This Is one OF the most
dangerous scenes ever played on the
stage and was accounted In New York
the greatest stage fight ever seen In this
country.
Mile de la Wire 10 the meeting with
Henry III TO whom she tells her story
and expresses the policy OF Navarro for
the salvation OF France.
In the last scene OF all CASTOR reap
pears at the court OF Navarro with Mile.
de la Wire who's love he has finally won
as we'll as having accomplished his orig
inal mission. Through the death OF Val
ois, Henry of Navarro has now become
King or France. He loads the poor ad-
venturer with riches and honors and be-
slows the hand Of Mile. de In Wire.
This play deals with the most turbu-
lent epoch of French history and one of
the most picturesque OF all history. but
for all the storm clouds OF revolution
and religious strife filling the political
sky, II was time of high chivalry and
Of rich romance.
Liebler q Co.'S splendid production Is
said to amply suggest the gorgeous pa
geantry OF this sixteenth century epoch
OF the great Huguenot uprising.