The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-11
"A ROYAL RIVAL"
Mr.. FaTsisham Gives FIns Per-
formanCa Of Don Cesar.


The King OF speln.....,-James Kcarney
Don Jose de Santarem.. Edwin stevens
tOf the Empire Theatre Company
Don Cesar do Bazan..., VIM. FaVersham
Marquis OF Montifiore. Snitz Edwards
Perez. .-...............,.....N H. JPlenkO
Captain Of the Guard. Robert H. Harvey
An Omcer.........,.......,-. Joseph Weber
Young Soldier Frederick Raymond
Another Soldier. r......-.........A. R. Dalton
The Governor OF the Fortress. Ell. Bard
Waterman. an.......,..,.,.,.....J T. scuily
An OLD Man,..................J Nj. Watson
An Exquisite. te...............R Raymond Chase
Second quisite.....,...,....R VI. Weed
first Cavalier. r....,..........A Arthur Jarretb
Second .chas. B. Harris
Pedro, oy...,...........t Clair Mcdowell
Marchioness Of Montifiore. IA. II. Fisher
Marta .,,.....,.,...,......t.J julie opp
Lady In Waiting g.............Agnes Maun
At the Providence Opera House last
evening. William Faversham In "A Royal
Rival" adapted by Gerald Du Maurcr.
opened an engagement of three performs
ances which would have been four ex-
cept for the misfortune that Thursday
night. Mr. Faversham was suffering
from threatened pleurisy, or pneumonia
or something Fortunately there was
favorable turn over night so that IL was
neither necessary nor convenient to hold
an autopsy and the diagnosis Stands.
Thanks 10 the sklful prescription of
Providence physicians and his own reeu-
perative powers, Mr.. Faversham turned
up all right for last nights performance
and delighted a large audience with an
excellent performance and n superb pro-
duotion OF Du Maurier's clever adaptation
of classic romance OF swashbuckler
days.
AS Don Cesar de Bazan Mr. Fayersham
was an artistic treat. lie has not been
seen here for some seasons although. on
his occasional appearance with the En-
pire Stock company, he won place In
the hearts OF Providence theatregoeTs
that created a lively desire TO see him
and applaud him on his first starring
tour. IL need only be observed that in
the intervening time he has improved
vastly in finish while losing nothing in
exuherance. AS the dare devil hero of this
Spanish romance. caring for nothing
save his honor and afraid OF nothing
save losing his honor. he could hardly he
surpassed by any OF the talented COM
pany OF present day leading men and
stars
Truly, IL was a capital performance
which makes IL all the more unfortunate
that the short engagement should hav,
been reduced by a night Both the play
and it's acting are relishable enough 10
wurt- -tch=see again--which Is not an al
together common sensation 10 be inspir-
ed by the current swashbuckier kind of
play. Indeed. probably the average au-
dience has come to feel little doubtful.
not to say suspicious, of this kind OF
drama. Ii has been demonstrated bv
a faNt nj A..
that, however they may temporarily stir
the pulses, fail TO satisfy or leave be-
hind anything approaching n craving 20
see the show again. With Faversham
and "A Royal Rvar' Il is refreshingly
different. Like time tried Monte Crfsto''
or the eternal Three Musketeers" "a
Royal Riyar has the quality about II
that gives 1t a character something more
distinguished than merely piece OF
stage writing done 10 supply faddish
demand IL is good stuff-and Faversham
does IL with all the distinction OF a verI-
table artist.
No realistic drama could have Impress
ed an audience more with realism than
this play did last evening The audience
laughed with the rogue and I'm the serl-
Gus scenes the house was as still az
though IL was Shakespearean tragedy
that was working. The exceptional skill
of the playwright and the exceptional
art OF the star made even this most
strenuous OF romantic stories plausible
lt was impossible not TO believe in tho
elaborate plot of the chief minister tc
bring ruin upon everybody that stood IN
his path to the queen, and II was easy 10
accept the extraordinary Don Cesar as q
man OF flesh and blood, 10 laugh with
him and to syrnpathize with him The
triumph Is alike attributable 10 the
markedly fine construction OF the play
and to it's performances
Mr.. faversham il supported by Miss
Julie Opp. a lady OF splendid exterior
and engaging talent. Mr.. Edwin Stevens.
consummate actor and companv
generally Of ample capacity for their
roles.
TO day close the engagement