The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-21
NUMBER 973."
Mr.. HiIlIard's New One Act Play GlVen It's
First Presentation Before Delighted Audience

A large and enthusiastic audience at
tended the premiere performance OF
Robert Hillard and Edwin Hollands
new one-act play, Number %S' AT
Keith's yesterday afternoon, and every
one felt amply repaid for 50 doing The
audience was one OF the most fashionable
matinee audiences seen at Keths for
long time and there were many profess
ional people playing In the city present.
Naturally there were many comparisons
drawn between "The Littlest Girl tMr
Hiihard's present vehicle) and the new
play. and the majority OF opinions seem
ed in favor of Number 973."
Briefly the story tells OF a man who
has unjustly been imprisoned for ten
years for crime he did not commit. and
who at the opening OF the story has just
been released He IL frowned upon by
everyone who recognizes in him an ex-
convict and he r. unable To obtain honest
employment In desperation resulting
from hunger. ne breaks into house TO
plumber. and finds it 20 be the home of
the district attorney who previously SEN
fenced him TO prison. While In the act
OF confiscating a large sum Of money. he
Is caught by the Judge who is watching
by the bedside OF his sick child The
district attorney telephones for police,
and while watching for them questions
the man, learning a bit OF his history.
II Is here that Mr. Hilhard had an oppor-'
tunity b. demonstrate his dramatic force.
and he WAS frequently interrupted by en-
thusiastic applause from all parts OF the
house. The whistle of the police sounds.
and the district attorney goes down stairs
TO let them IN. AT this moment his sick
child comes down from her room to get
n forgotten doll, and meets Number 973
She Immediately recognizes In him the
mar who rescued her from n runaway
horse that night. and offers TO reward
him by giving him her penny savings
bank and kisses n wound on his fore
head. They are engaged in earnest con-
versation. the little girls arms around
the ex-convct's neck, when the father re-
turns with the police. and. overhearing,
announces that he has made n mistake.
introducing the ex-convict as HIS daugh-
ter's friend
When the curtain fell on this little play
there was not n dry eye In the house, and
the entire audience united in an outburst
OF applause such as is seldom heard in
local theatre. insisting upon Mr. Hill
liard's coming before the curtain to make
brief speech Mr.. Hilliard modestly
declined. but insisted upon bringing Mr..
Holland, the co-author before the cur
tain for his share OF the applause. There
Is no doubt but that more will be heard
OF this little play. and a most brilliant
future is predicted for IT,
1t IL entensely dramatic. with human
heart interest. and strong, stirring elm
axes. 1t gave Mr. Hilliard excellent op-
portunities to demonstrate his abilities
which opportunities are lacking I'm THE
Idttlest Girl" ana II may be said that
he has never done better work. The
artistic. yet forceful manner In which
he met the fullest requirements OF this
role will give theatregoers some idea OF
what may be expected OF him I'm his forth
coming starring tour I'm "In Connection
With The De Willoughby Claim"
Ills makeup, as tho haggard. unkempt
ex-convict was especially convincing and
quite different from tho Handsome Bob"
that theatregoers are in the habit OF see
ing IN romantic roles. Mr.. Holland gave
Mr.. Htlliard excellent support as the dig
nihed district attorney. lending earnest
ness and sincerity 10 the role Both he
and Mr.. HilIIard should be very proud
OF the unqualified triumph made by
Number eI3, and II is to be hoped that
IL will soon be seen again on the local
Keith stage