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

edly so, for II abounds i'm all the attri-
butes that go to make up a successful
play. Its theme is an absorbing one. preg-
nant with human heart interest: It's dia-
logue clearly evidences the masterful
hand OF true playwright; its climaxes
are all striking and its incidents intensely
interesting; and it's characters are strong
ly drawn and true 20. life.
Nothing else is needed 20 make a play
successful. unless II be careful staging
and capable acting. No one who was
present last evening and witnessed the
Albec company's superb presentation OF
this famous play can doubt but that the
latter two attributes were supplied by
this popular organization and It's manage
ment. "The Christian" is by far the
most pretentious offering ever undertaken
by a stock organization. and " thrre
was anyone. who. even knowing the cali
bre OF the Edward +. Albee Stock com
pany. doubted the successful Issue, that
doubt was speedily eliminated last cveli-
ing. In every detail the production was
a success, a grand, stupendous, amazing
success.
Even the most ardent admirers - Mis-
Evesson and Mr. Williams were given "a
genuine surprise by the excellence OF
their performances Mr.. Williams has
been seen In Providence In every line OF
| parts. always winning sweeping success
| and doubling his unequalled popularity,
| but never. until last evening, has he so
| thoroughly demonstrated his wonderful
| depth OF dramatic ability. whose sterling
| merit places him among the foremost ac-
| tors OF the age. The role OF John Storm
| Is one splendidly adapted TO him. and he
both looks and acts the character with =
startling degree OF naturalness. His
| whole performance was characterized by
| power and intensity that was marvel
| Gus. and I'm the later scenes. when afame
| with the fires OF fanatcism. his really
| fine work awoke vocferous applause
| from every part OF the immense audi
ence
His was n performance not 10 be soon
| forgotten. and Mr. Williams has yet 10 do
| something better than his performance
as John Storm. Even the most irnagina
| tive creature living can hardly picture q
| better Glory Quayle than Miss Evesson
4 made. and the most critical critic can
| hardly find a flaw I'm her superb perform
ance Like Mr.. Williams. Miss Evesson
scored the greatest lift she has yet regis
| tered I'm Providence. and her portrayal of
| the restless, but lovable. girl will long
| llnger I'm the memory OF theatregoers and
| serve 10 place her at the top-notch OF
| public favor
In the first act. Miss Evesson was de-
| llghtfuly fresh and chic, but ever sracc-
| ful and womanly. and In the later scenes
| she showed dramatic force that won
| the sincerest admiration OF everyone and
| could be favorable compared with any
| dramatic performance ever given In this
| city. In the third act with Mr.. Williams.
when. under fire OF his wild madness he
| Is about to kill her body to save her soul.
| she confesses her love for him, Mis-
! Evesson was particularly good. as well rs
| I'm the last act when she addresses the In
| furiated mob. Mr.. Humphrey gave the
| splendid performance that those who
| have seen him before expected OF him. al
| though like the rest OF the company his
Lord Robert IRE may be said to be- one
OF the finest performances he has yet
given here The role fits him like T, and
he made the cool calculating no''leman
| about -xillainous- character as can
easily be imagined There Is "a peculiar
| polish about Mr.. Humphreys work which
| splendidly fits the character he portfays
| this week. and although IL is 4 ietestaple
! one, evokes the approval of the audlnoce
and won Mr.. Humphrey urstinted a?-
| plause.
Mr.. Caidara I'm the role cf IIoratio
| Drake scored a hit OF no mean dimen-
sions. He was manly yet boyishly impet-
uous. but above all he was. az usual,
| earnest and convincing. and he captured
| a large share OF the evenings honors.
| Miss Leigh was seen in the role of Polly
| Love- which affords this remarkably
| clever and favorite actress plandid
| chance for the display Of her great emo
| tional powers. In the second act Miss
| Leigh was intensely effective. and pro-
voked a tear TO every eye by her pathetic
little scene with John Storm ard Mrs.
Calendar. Mr.. stephen Wright. who was
especially engaged for the past OF Broth
err Paul gave a fine performance. Mr.
Wright has the quiet, effective style that
stamps the true artist, ard hfs reserved
force made a telling impression. last
evening on every person present
In his scene with Lord Robert IRE, hlS
facial expression and the very twitching
OF his hands spoke volumes. Miss Reimer
made Mrs. Calendar. the kind-hearted
Scotch lady. as lovable as only she can
make such a character and Mr. Owens,
with his mock piety. as the Archdeacon
Wealthy showed the art OF which he liz
| the master Mr.. Arthur I'm the role OF the
manager gave a performance consistent
| with the character, and Mr.. Cheney as
| Parson Quayle. Mr. Winter ah the Faro
King" and the Misses Ingram. Andrews.
| Besley and Kirwin as the music hall girls
were vivacious and good in their respec-
| tive parts Mr. Marsh as Father Lam
plugh deserves a special word OF COM
mendation for his careful and painstak-
| ing portrayal Not only was the audience
generous in it's applause of the work OF
| the various members OF the company, but
| the scenery in almost every act called
! forth an outburst of applause. From be-
| ginning 10 end, the performance was one
| of the most genuine successes ever re-
| corded i'm local theatrical history. and
THE Christian" will undoubtedly prove