The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-02

At the Providence Opera house for the
balance Of the week, with the usual mat
inee tomorrow. Mr.. Jerome Sykes in The
Billionaire.' a musical farce with the
book by Harry B. Smith and the music
by Gustave Kerker
THE Bfllionaire'' Is one OF the biggest
and most pretentious productions in all
It's numerous and elaborate class. 1t
has three magnificent sets OF scenery
two OF which. IL not actually new in idea
there is precious little newness possi-
bic In the matter OF ideas now "A days
left for genius to discover-are more elab.
orately and showlly developed than any
thing OF the sort that the stage has
seen.
The second act is set with the interior
OF theatre. IL is a complete theatre
too, with the gallery and boxes and
policeman and ushers and a full equip
ment OF orchestra chairs and a numerous
audience TO fll the same and stage OF
considerable size with a drop curtain and
whole bunch of vivid scenery.
This scene represents the theatre that
the Billionaire builds for the exploitations
Of his star. whom he sets up In business
In the course OF an earnest endeavor to
distribute his wealth before he dies-a la
Carnegie, the library giver. All the ap-
pointments indicate that. as an angel.
the Billionaire is lavish spender The
entertainment that goes on, on the mimic
stage, is varied and fetching and of
course, some additional entertainment on
the side is furnished by the suppostious
audience. One of the acts Is a mock
melodrama with a patent moon that
makes the most laughable sort of a. bur-
lesque of the things OF heart interest"
and spectacular situations that prevail
In the pop. houses of the land
The third act is set with view OF the
race ground at Longchamps, with Its
crowd OF race track followers its line
UP OF coaches. automobiles and traps
that have brought society along and other
features familiar to every race course on
busy day. IL Is a handsome and stirring
scene
Not less beautiful. if less unusual and
elaborate is the opening scene bit out
OF Nice that Is true TO the real land
scape II portrays and makes a mighty
stunning set.
These three big sets of scenery furnish
background for a great big lavish. roll
licking show. The Bilionaire" Is dis
unguished for a great number Of stage
massings of large company. for varied
and handsome and striking costuming
for lot Of exceedingly pretty and high
spirited music and a whole lot more mu-
sic that is of the uproarous. ema shing
kind that Is splendidly stirring for n bal
let that fills the stage fun and does an
amazing lot OF spirited figures and sings
gloriously. for dozen or more principals.
vsriously talented and every one Of them
first rate entertainers in their several
specialties. and for Mr. Jerome Sykes
himself
Even in the midst Of so bountlful a
production Mr.. Sykes easily maintains his
position OF being II comedian OF his
distinctive talent and general atmosphere
of largeness can AFFORD to give lots OF
room to the other fellows and 10 the most
elaborate and massive sort OF scenery.
without running into any danger OF being
overlooked In the crush.
IL IL seemingly a matter of perfect in
difference TO Mr. Sykes whether the cal
cium follows him or not. His merry
smile is an automatically working lime
light that is always on his face. where
lime light properly ought 10 be- OF course.
He has an infectious chuckle OF a laugh.
n pair Of extra ordinary nimble legs a;
the other end Of his imposing torso and
the centre Of the stage Is always. where
he happens 10 he standing--he doesn't
need 10 look for II y-LAh a theodolite In
order TO get himself IN evidence.
There Is so much that is TO Taught at.
that IL is difricuit 70 pick out bits for
special commendation without risk OF
violating the copyright by reproducing
musical iarce. be e understood, and
musical farce r. the same distinction
/ from n musical comedy that farce
without the musical Is from comedy
without the musical THE Biilionaire"
ie full OF robustuousness. not 10 say vio-
ience In music. I'm action. In everything.
IL keeps you sitting up by the amazing
speed OF its action and the uproarious
and Jolly noise II makes, Compared 10
the dantiness of many OF these musical
things. IL IL as a boiler explosion 10
ticking watch. You don't sniile-you
laugh right out loud In meeting. Maybe
YOU throw n NJ. II is cyclone and
runaway auto on down grade and
sixth Ward Republican club in action all
together.