The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-13

pany at keith's this week. Is attracting
large crowds Of theatregoers to that play
house. and is likely TO continue I'm the
popularity OF the theatregong public for
many years 10 come. When this play was
originally produced In New York ii made
a great stir and was the chief topic OF
conversation for an entire season. The
skilful blending OF dramatic seriousness
and startling frivolity Is the work of the
skilled hands and the highest tribute that
can be paid the playwright is the close
attention of the audience from beginning
to end.
One OF the lighter comedy scenes which
I thoroughly enjoyed was the vaudeville
entertainment of the first act. 1t was
new and forceful reminder that the depths
of this clever company's versatility mas
not yet been exhausted. miniature
stage is shown, with it's curtain and foot
lights and the eager spectators seated ex-
pectantly before the stage. laughing ana
applaudng the Efforts OF the amateur art
lists Such enthusiasm as they showed:
The thought that II was little out OF
place in Providence did occur to me. put
I brushed II aside, for II might, II given
utterance, sound like a reproach Tor
Providence playgoers. and that would be
unjustified. considering the warmth OF
their demonstrations OF the favor IN
which they hold the Albee company men,
bers. These mock auditors iausheo anu
chatted merrily between the difrerent |
spectalties. commenting upon them, IA
vorably and sometimes spitefully, but In |
an altogether natural manner.
The real curtain rose In the middle OF
Miss Kirwins speciality, and showed that
young lady delntily dressed In baby
frock of white lace trimmed, with baby
blue ribbons and shoes and stockings TO
match. She looked very pretty and sang
amazingly well. Her voice showed culu-
walton, and remember now that she for
merly studied vocal music with local
teacher When she came to the chorus or
Liza. Won't You Roll Dem Eyesy' l be-
| Iieve that's the name OF It, the mock au-
dience Joined I'm with her. and the real
| audience, looking on at the liveely scene,
| must have felt like Joining In also.
| confess 10 an inclination in that direction
myself When Miss Kirwin had finished.
she danced sprightly away, and gave
| place to Mr.. Nicander.
This young man was dressed in lu-
| dicrous fashion also / forgot TO mention
| that this scene represented mock chill
/ drens ball. and all the "grown-ups" were
asked on the invitation. which Is given In
| the program, TO appear In children's
clothes To return 10 Mr. Nicander He
| wore short Kilt skirt OF white duck reach
| ing to his knees. a sailor blouse OF the
i
was noisy plaid SASH and his neck and
l hair were decorated with similar large
| bows OF ribbon. He carried wooden hoop
and made very funny picture. 1t seem
] ed TO me that tho audience enjoyed this
| young mans work all the more because
he seemed TO be enjoying the lark him
self. and when he repeated frequently,
| Isn't this an awfuly lovely party?" one
! felt that he meant little OF IL. He
made an elaborate bow to his audience
| when he bounced upon the stage, and
| started to sing His evident popularity
with the audience. however. prevented.
| for they interrupted with applause. Again
he started. and again they interrupted.
This happened again. and finally he was
/ allowed to continue I don't think am
exaggerating II ! say that his solo was
| one of the best features of the play. He
| has a rich clear baritone voice. and sang
| '"The Congo Love Song" that pretty COM
panion song to "Under the Bamboo Tree.
now being sung In Nancy Brown by
Marie Cahill. in a manner that brought
out the combined applause of both audi
| ences. real and make-believe.
He was compelled TO repeat IT, and was
pelted by the make e-belleve audience with
flowers and n rag doll, which he caught
delightedly. The next number on the pro
gram was "A Merry Little Mountain
Maid" 10 be sung by Miss Ingram. who
represented a spoiled society girl with a
propensity of saying sharp, satirical
things. She was greeted with effuson,
but had not gone far when the flute play
er got out n wrong key and refused 70 al
low the singer TO be heard In fury.
she rushed off the stage. with a gesture OF
explanation and apology to the audience
which convulsed them This ended the en-
tertainment with shouts OF laughter.
Ii was a capital picture OF an amateur
theatrical affair in the smart SET and !
! wondered If Mr. Keth's Booking Agent
had seen the efforts of the supposed anna
tours. well. who knows? Stock work Is ad-
mitted by everyone who has had any ex-
perience to be exceedingly strenuous. and
IL the inducement were great enough fl
nancially, these players might one day
: turn their talents toward the vaudeville
! field. More than one legitimate player OF
high standing has succumbed. At any
rate. II is not impossible for them. for
their work in ''The Moth and the Flame
proves their qualifications to topline po
I sition beyond the possibility Of n doubt
, Go and see this play I'm sure you viii
, enjoy IL I'm It's entirety. but especially the
little concert II will surprise you. The
, costumes too are worthy OF attention.
have told you OF Mr. Nicander's and Miss
!, Kirwins Miss ingram was sweetly
: dressed as n little flower girl.
Mr.. Caldara had on boys sailor suit
Miss Evesson looked charming In pret
; ty accordion plated pink silk dress made
loose and flowing from the neck and shor'
to the ankles: Mr.. Winter was Little
Lord Fauntleroy: Miss Re.mer wore
chic costume OF pink silk and beautiful
lowered silk. impersonating n shep-
{ herdess Mr.. T.osee wore grotesqus
clowns suit. Can you imagine n man ir
a clowns suit telling an audience. ir
pantomime only. that he Is about TO xii
, himself? That is exactly what Mr.. Loses
: did and In so forceful manner did hs
: picture this that there Has not even q
. ripple Of a laugh. The intense silence dur
ing this scene was the most natterlnn
tribute that could have been paid to this
! gentleman's art Miss Barney wore
/, green and gold cloth gown OF Empire
! style one felt inclined N agree with