The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-26
.:t .:s theatres

The coming and going OF the "ods
bods" "gad zooks' drama, with its
clashing steel, its swashbuckling, and
impossible situations. have not disturbed
the equanimity OF the real live, flesh and
blood drama as exempliied In The Old
Homestead. Time and varying condi-
tions OF dramatic taste have been unable
TO interrupt it's successful vogue and from
reports the capacity OF the theatres every
where is the rule for this fine old play.
II the crucial test OF a plays merit Is in
It's longevity, then must THE Old Home
stead take Its place in the front rank
OF successful American dramas. Par
ticularly attractive as feature OF the
forthcoming production will be the posi-
tive appearance OF Denman Thompson
himself in his well known characteriza-
tion OF the typical Yankee farmer.
Joshua whitcomb." Company and scenic
surroundings arc promised TO be an ex-
ceptional quality. The Old Homestead"
comes to the Providence Opera house to-
night for three nights and Saturday
matinee.
Seats will be placed on sale at the
Providence Opera house today for the
engagement of Mary Mannering I'm Clyde
Fitchs new comedy. THE Stubbornness
of Geraldine" The play. which was
written especially for Miss Mannering.
is one of the pronounced successes of
the present season. II comes to this city
direct from a two months run TO crowd
ed houses at the Garrick theatre, New
York. with the prestige Of complete ap-
proval for star. players. play and pro-
duction. 1t Is described as a pleasant
blend OF merriment and sentiment and
furnishes Miss Mannering with a chance
to more than duplicate her success in
Janice Meredith 1t is the simple story
OF the romance of high spirited typical
American girl and Hungarian noble-
man who Is poor. but no fortune hunter.
Manager Frank Mckee has spared no ef-
fort this season to surround Miss Man
nering with company OF unusual
strength and to provide production not
able for beauty in every detail. The scenic
effects as well as the lines OF Mr.. Fitch's
dialogue are said TO be as original as
they are amusing. The company Is head
ed by Arthur Byron. so long conspicuous
in John Drew's support. and included
among other we'll known players, Amy
Ricard. Ainta Rothe. Rosa Cooke. Mrs.
Thomas Whiffen. John G. Seville and II.
Hassard- Short.
Theodore Kremer's "A Desperate
Chance" in four acts. founded on the
notorious Biddle Brothers case. greatly
pleases the Imperial audience this week
The first act opens with the murder OF
the Pttsburg grocer by the Biddle boys
their sentence and conviction. The sec
ond act shows the boys in jail, where
they use their hypnotic power over the
warden's wife; their sensational escape
from Jail. their thrilling fight in the snow
with the detectives. their capture. and
finally their pathetic death I'm the Butler
county jail While the play abounds with
many thrilling situations the author has
not forgotten to put plenty of heart in
terest In the piece The child's love for
the mother, who has unintentionally
sinned. sends many away with tear
dmmed eyes. The comedy situations
are alsoYery strehg.
Hermann the Great" the most won
| derful OF ell modern necromancers. will
| appear at the Imperial next week. With
out preparation he accomplishes the most
astonishing feats OF sleight of hand. Skill.
| dexterity and inventive genius, these are
his marked characteristics. BY a tour
/ through India Hermann has been en-
/ abled to obtain many OF the surprising
| feats OF the famous Hindoo and other
| Eastern IahlrS, ana his spectators may
| imagine themselves at Calcutta or Bonn
bay as they witness the wonderful trans
formations which have heretofore only
| been known by reading or by the de-
! scription OF some lecturer. Hermann Is
accompanied by the Musical Goolmans. a
musical duo. who. by their splendid rem
diion OF popular and classical music
on various musical instruments. do much
towards rounding out the excellent even
ing's entertainment.
At the Imperial next week the premier
magical entertainer OF the world. Her
mann the Great" will delight and mys-
tify his audiences. Herman Is a name
too we'll known for excellence In magic
and all that pertains 10 the mysterious
10 need extended comment. Coming from
family Of magicians, who for the past
two or three decades have left a name
that Il famous all over the world as the
greatest magicians OF their day Leon.
the present Hermann. has ably sustained
and even added lustre to the family
name. Herman is the most expert ex-
| ponent OF legerdemain now before the
public, beside being an originator OF
many new and startling magic phenome-
ma. lie will he accompanied by the
Musical Goolmans, a duo Of musical ar
lists.
At the close OF the regular season al
Il tAA Umpire theatre ria y house, which
has scarcely been vacant three weeks IN
az many years. will be frightened and
put I'm order for the summer season 20 be
opened by spitz & Nathanson. Some i'm.
provcments are 20 he made. and even bet
ter provision than before will be made
for the comfort Of the summer patrons OF
the theatre. which has always been wei
cooled by the patent blower system, the
afr OF the theatre IL passed over cakes OF
! . a