The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-23

siasm. demonstrated that the comedy,
s'Are You a Mason?" Is good enough to
see at least twice. There were evidently
many present who saw the lively show
last winter. for several of the actors who
were then identified with the play were
cordially greeted on their entrance on
the stage last evening.
Only small proportion of contempora-
neous dramatic literature endures for
more than a single season, except as IL
may be handed down the line OF the popu-
lar priced theatres. Especially is II the
fate OF the funny play TO die almost be-
fore the echo of the laughter IL creates.
The value of Are You a Mason? is
that II is not only an extraordinarily
laughable piece, IL is an exceedingly clever
dramatic composition. And. farcical as
its fun Is. IL Is OF a kind to often recall
mirthfully. to repeat 10 ones friends and
to desire to see and hear again.
Leo Ditrichstein the clever author, or
adapter OF the comedy is absent from
this seasons cast but the cast loses moth
ing thereby and. indeed rather gains, for
Harry Mills, who takes the part of the
effefvescent stock broker. Is free and
hearty comedian and when he gets into
the female costume he is n more plausi-
BILE figure than was Ditrichstein.
John c. Rice with his phenomenally
nimbe legs and arms. and Thomas a.
Wise with his ever bubbling rotundity
and the smile tnat ndunlS US sun are
on deck. and indeed Are You a Mason
would not be anything like the same We're
any other comedians that we can call to
mind intrusted with the mirth provoking
characterizations OF the pretended ma
sons
George Richards as the up-country
guest. who is anxious to go into masonry
and takes the probationary course by n
run from Thirty sixth street TO Brooklyn
bridge. counting his steps there and back,
Is as droli as he always Is. while Charles
y. Greene. as the music hall bouncer,
gives performance so deliciously finished
that he Is one Of the Indispensable stars
OF the show Sally Cohen. as Lottie. the
cook: Gertrude Witty. the dtsronsufuto
mother in law. were also familiar faces
last evening and were warmly welcomed.
The balance of the cast contributed a full
share to n performance that was one un-
interrupted gurgle and gug.
"Are You a Mason" is screaming funny.
II may be favorably mentioned with the
International laugh maker. Charlie q
Aunt" or with Hoyts explosive MILK
White Flag" Many performances to-
gether by the company through two sea-
sons contribute to the smoothness OF the
production on which so lively a piece
must depend largely for success.
Ridiculous as the situations are they
seem plausible enough. once the condi-
tions are accepted. and the hilarious up
roar created IN the audlence Is dOubtleSS
pretty generally associated with sort OF
sympa thetic feeling for the persons OF
the play who are placed I'm extra ordinary
difficulties that threaten destruction TO
domestic happiness. In other words IL
eometimes seems as though the absurd
complica tions were real so sincere and
earnest are the actors in their demonstra-
tion of the troubles and embarrassments
that supervene upon their monstrous
schemes The audience just naturally
develops lively interest in the chances
FOR their getting out Of their scrapes.
The distress Of Mr.. Rice seems much like
the real thing even while we are laughing
at him. while Mr.. Wise "a a most dscon-
ISOLATE figure when he finds himself get
ing into deep water so that you almost
pity him the while YOU know II Is only to
murh.
n was steady laugh. anon bursting
beyond control oil over the auditorium
isst evening. and the house Will continue
10 De Allcd with laughter every evening
thIs week and on "Wednesday and Satur-
day afternoons with Are You a Mason p
on the stage.