The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-04
IMPERIAL THEATRE.

The great meIodramatfc success, Old
Sleuth," with the eminent character
actor. Hal Stephen=. is the attraction at
the Imperial theatre this week. There
was a large attendance last evening and
1t was evident from the applause that
the good points OF the play were appre-
ciated heartily.
II is a pleasant relief from politics. this
play. and will furnish the victors a good
chance to further enthuse over them
selves, and there Is a mighty consoling
idea in IL that right eventually triumphs.
There Is bound TO be a good attendance
at the Imperial this week for the play
appeals to the marvellous In old and
young.
OF course there is not much new about
the play. II has a sort OF reminiscent
style. One can pleasantly enjoy II and
believe they are In the good old days
when things were not as strenuous as
they are now: when party principles diff
fered somewhat and coal and beef were
not so dear
The plot is familiar to thousands of
old and young who have followed with
burning interest the story OF Old Sleuth
The old fellow was up and ADDING before
Sherlock Holmes fAllen-under- The
notice OF tho inventive mind OF Conan
Doyle There are folks. too, who like
Old Sleuth. that think Sherlock was not
as bright as he might have been.
The thrilling work OF Old Sleuth. his
fine sense OF the opportune. all are
brought forward In a mastery way In
the dramatization. There is not a mo-
ment OF WEAKNESS In the whole play and
there are none Of the mental difficulties
incidental TO n problem play.
Old Sleuth just turns up. Every one
knows he will be at hand just when he
should be- You don't have 10 guess
whether a moral law will be violated or
not and you never need an up-to-date
knowledge OF society TO tell whether YOU
are being fooled by the playwright or
not This detective story has genuine
marks on IT, wickedness is punished
In the good old-fashioned way. one -
never i'm doubt whether 10 say that some
thing wrong has been done or not There
is no intricate psychological problem TO
be worked out 20 find a bad taste Is left
in the mouth The detective and the
folks he has to do with just do things
I'm an ordinary understandable fashion
Mr.. Stephens is fully equal To the task
imposed upon him. He Is excellent IN
makeup and suits his action and voice in
a most capable way 10 the varying ne
cessities OF the part OF Old Sleuth and
his work Is we'll worth Witnessing. Mr..
Neil Florence makes n good stage VII
lain and his work shows he means 10 be
very careful and 20 represent Baynrd
Knight as everything contrary TO what
the name would imply.
Master Martin certainly makes lots of
fun as the "Oid Sleuth's" coon. His work
delighted the audience about as much
az any member OF the cast last night.
Master Joe Santley plays the part or the
newsboy, a sort OF pocket edition of Old
Sleuth. I'm hrst-class style. He also sang
10 the great pleasure OF the audience.
some good songs
Miss Teresa Tombe played the part of
the heiress who IN lost for a good while.
ard has oceans OF troubles. In n very
creditable manner. She has an interest
ing stage presence and was very clever
IN her love making. Miss Rose TIFFANY
was very clever In the part OF Lady
Kate.
The parts of Brute Bruno. Of Carlos
Delateur. a hunchback. and the barkeeper
at Murders Pit. were respectively well
taken by Benjamin Dunn, Henry West