The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-19
-. =. theatres

Kyrle Beliew, the distinguished English
| actor. who Is TO appear at the Providence
| Opera House next week. is the original
matinee idor' OF the American stage.
| The phrase was coined over him during
his first season as leading man OF Lester
| Wallacks famous stock company IN New
| York, and during the long run Of 'Harbor
Lights," which inaugurated his career
| In America.
This apt phrase was hrst used by
| writer on the New York Times VINO
| was attempting TO give his readers some
| notion OF the feminine excitement ana
fiutter that occurred at the stage door
| OF old Wallacks when Bellew emerged
| from the theatre In street attire.
! And verify this debonair favorite then
| deserved the appellatlon. In those days
| Handsome Curly" as they called MIN,
could not venture on the street without
being followed about like Bunthorne In
| Gilberts witty libretto by scores OF
4 "loyesick maIdens.'
! On the occasion OF his last appearance
| as leading man at Wallacks, IL was not
/ only women but the entire audience aug
1 mented by a stream OF pedestrians on
/ Broadway who accorded to this player
| such farewell demonstration as has been
| given 10 but two other foreign artists
| (Macready and Jenny Lind) In the history
| of New York theatredom.
During the excitement and cheering of
| his anticipated appearance at the stage
door some wag rang in the fire alarm
/ This added TO the confusion In such n
| way that Broadway was blocked from
| Twenty-eight 10 Thirty-fourth street.
The actor himself was frightened rather
| than pleased by the extraordinary char
4 acter OF the demonstration. lie was
| usmuggled out OF the theatre by an unused
4 entrance and hurried away to his steamer
4 by the late Theodore Moss, without the
| public getting even glimpse of him
No actor OF the present time has ac-
| complished the vogue in New York City
\ that Kyrle Bellew won without effort
4 from the fair sex. Most shocking OF all,
| Bellew didn't care for II and was con-
| stantly complaining that the public would
| not Judge him as an actor but eternally
| put him forward as a male beauty OF the
stage.
In making up the especially strong holi-
| day bill for next week at Keiths Mr..
| Albee has not forgotten the 4ittle ones.
AS a special added feature for their bene-
At Belle Hathaways trained monkeys
and dogs have been engaged. These
clever animals perform a series or Inter-
| esting feats which show long and patient
training, and there is infused into the
act a great deal OF comedy such as al
ways delights the little ones.
The electricians and students interested
in the science OF electricity will no doubt
flock to Keith's next week to see the act
OF the Salambos, the Australian wonders,
who will be the novelty OF the bill.
Nothing like this act has ever before
been shown on any stage In the world,
and they are everywhere admitted TO be
the greatest marvels OF the decade. Every
one who has been interested In the Marconi
wireless telegraph will want to see the
practical demonstration OF IL given by
the Salambos. There rs no possible OPP
portunity for trickery about the act, as
experts In every city IN which they have
appeared admit. Their coming is being
eagerly anticipated by local theatre
goers.
Devotees OF vaudeville will remember
the tremendous hit made at Keith's last
season by James Cooke and Clara Sonora.
and will be glad to learn that they will be
feature OF next weeks bill at that
theatre. The act given by this pair Is
one of the funniest in vaudeville. consist
ing OF q conglomeration Of truly funny
comedy and some excellent grotesoue
dancing Their burlesque on Florodora
last season was hilariously funny, and
although they were not number one on
| the bill they walked away with the non.s
share OF the honors OF the program.
| sss
To unfold the plot OF The Price OF
Honor" that sterling drama which Is the
attraction at the Imperial next week,
would be giving away state secrets. 80
| original Ii the theme and so vigorously
IL IL treated that the production must be
seen TO be appreciated. The author with
rare shrewdness has constructed a play
OF living breathing interest with the
scenes laid In the heart Of the nations
metropolis. Virtue and vice again en-
gage in a fierce struggle for supremacy,
but the fight Is along novel lines and no
hackneyed or commonplace situations OBJ
| tain I'm THE Price OF Honor" The moral
| of the play strikes deep in the hearts and
homes OF the people while deftly mingled
with the tears are smiles and laughter
The dialogue OF the play contains lines
of literary merit and the climaxes reach
/, the pinnacle of sensationalism. Excel
lent acting by well balanced company
| lends effectiveness to the production.
while the scenic equipment is succession
of wonderful examples OF mechanical In
genuity. We are shown modern de-
partment store In full operation, an East
side New York tenement, the interior OF
the famous Trinity church and the re-
ceiving room OF Bellevue hospital. A
special feature will be the appearance OF
we'll trained choir OF boys who will
render sacred songs.
| e.
A bowie knife duel on horseback is one
| OF the thrilling incidents in James II.
Wallicks Bandit King" at the Imperial
the leading role being played by the well
known young actor. Mr.. John J. Farrell,
who has been in the support OF many OF
our best American stars. and who has
all the accomplishments and attributes
necessary to fill the part of the hero In
this strong play. The trained animal
actors Charger" Raider" Texas" "
barney" and Pete" are marvels OF In
telligence and their performance is really
wonderful.