The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-19

would have ensured a most profitable
week. But is would have been necessary
TO start the theatre at an increased scale
of prices, and this Manager Spitz retused
to do. He has not yet broken faith with
the public. although, in the case OF MRS
Danes Defense" In which Kate Hassett'
who was shot a few months ago In Phila.
delphia was the leading woman, he mad
10 purchase the time OF the company Tor
the week TO avoid increasing prices. there
being n clause In the company's contract
to prevent them from playing at popular
prices.
The Village Postmaster" a popular
rural drama by Alice f. Ives and Je-
rome IL. Eddy. which recently celebrated
its one thousandth performance. has
been played at the 18th Street Theatre
New York, 227 times, and In Chicago for
125 nights during the past season. The
play tells an interesting story or life In a
New HAMPSHIRE village Atty years ago
The scenes IN a little hamlet with its one
store and two churches, When The VII
lage Postmaster was first produced, i've
years ago. the New York Herald said:
New York has never seen better
drama OF rural life. To say II made nit
espresses Il family"
An excellent company In the original big
production of THE Village Postmaster
will be seen at the Empire Theatre this
month.
One OF the most ENJOYABLE acts on the
entire bill at Kelth's this week and IL IL
a bill OF extraordinary strength. rs that
OF Mark Sullivan. the exceptionally clever
lmpersonator. HIS work shows keen
observation OF the many litt,e, but i'm
portant. tricks and mannerisms OF the
different stage celebrities he initiates,
and the remarkable fidelity OF each OF his
impersonations has probably never been
edualed I'm or out OF vaudeville. His
limitations OF Willis T. Sweatnam. Jim
Mcintyre. Nat Haines and Dan DAILY, are
perhaps the best, and so remarkably life
like are they that n seems a shame that
Mr.. Sullivan should announce OF whom
his impersonatlons are. for the audience
could hardly have any difficulty in guess
ing Mr. Sullivan is an old favor4te with
local theatregoerds. having, previous TO
becoming a vaudeville shining light, been
prominent in the Hoyt farces.
-
Tomorrow afternoon Mr. Robert Hill
lard the distinguished dramatic actor
who is the top line feature OF the bill
at Keith's. will present at that theatre
by special request his new one-act play.
Number 49, this being the first pro-
duction of II on "A local stage. This little
play Is written by Mr.. Hllliard and Mr..
Edwin Holland. and IL said TO he even
stronger than Mr.. Hlfiard's present VEN
icle, The B.ttlest Girl which Is ihci-
ting so much genuine enthusiasm. Mr..
Hillard will impersonate an ex-convict
who has been imprisoned for crime of
which ne was not guilty, and at the time
the story begins ne has Just been re-
leased after a long imprisonment He
finds 81 utterly impossible 10 get employ
ment. and is frowned upon by everyone.
/ In desperation. he breaks INTO the house
/ of a distinguished Judge 10 steal some
thing 10 eat, and Is caught by the judge
| and about to be delivered to the police
when the Judges only child, a motherless
! little girl, comes down TO say good night
/ TO the father who idolizes her. and who
recognizes in the ex-convict the man who
a few days before rescued her from a
| runaway horse and saved her life. The
i Judge has been looking for his chld's
\ rescuer 10 reward him. and now gives
/ him his freedom as n token OF his appre-
/ citation. The scene between Mr.. Hill.
/ lard and the little girl ls most touch.
ing one. and affords excellent opportuni.
ties for acting. Little Isabel Martin
the well-known child actress. viii com,
from New Yory especially TO appear IN
| the role OF the little girl for that after
noon. A special and elaborate settins
will he given the act. All OF the prof
essional people playing I'm town have beer
Invited by Manager Lovenberg to be pre-
sent.
The real big feature OF the vaudevill,
| season IL 90 be The Petite Florodora com
pany, which comes 10 Kelths next week
direct from the long New York run ot
this musical comedy at the Academy o
Music. under the personal management
and supervision OF Messrs Fischer & Ry
I ley. This company includes nfteer
people. and the act. which is one OF IN,
most pretentious vocal acts ever mad,
In vaudeville. will include all OF the air,
which made that musical comedy IA
nous, The Double Sextette. The Shades
Of the Palm. ana others.