The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-27
THE MATINEE GIRL HAS A CHAT
WITH THE AUTHOR OF "FETTERS"

| Of articles on the drama of the year by
such writer's as William Archer. Howard
Tickner. the late George Edgar Mont
gomery, and others of equally high stand
ing In the world OF letters 1t was in
tended to publish this book annually, but
IL was unsuccessful.
"A change Of ownership and policy Of
The Post occurred in 81 and I'm the fall
or that year / came to Providence. In
's3 l published a study of social condi-
tons called. The Complaining Millions
OF Men, and last fall | brought out
John Malcolm Lippincott's. The Atlantic
and the Bookman have all contained
articles of mine, chiefly on literary sub
jects. | write occasional reviews for
The Bookman anr regularly for The
Reader. the ne wmagazine which IS at
tracing considerable attention
lin the June number OF The Critic
there VIII he an article OF mine called
The Men Who Do Things / have Just
completed long novel but don't know
whether or not / shall publish It,
In n sense. 'Fetters' is my first play.
since Ii is the first OF them to be pro-
duced. About five years ago. a New
York manager wanted to produce one
of my other plays. but we failed to agree
sabout conditions. When the prize play
contest was opened OF Keith's | submitted
'Fetters' 10 Mr.. Iovenberg not so much
for the money. but because of the value OF
n production by such sterling artists as
the Albee company members appealed TO
me. The play was not at all written
with these players in mind. but the differ
ent characters fit them surprisingly we'll
The leading female role is intended for
star. and is really n great tax upon n
stock actress, making great demands upon
her emotional powers and requiring her
presence on the stage almost all the time
This has been the first rehearsal OF the
play that we have had. and | must say
that l have been pleased beyond express
sion at the kind and courteous treatment
given me by Mr.. Winter and Mr. Loven-
berg.
at is proverbal that the first produc-
tions OF play always brings about elm
nations and substitutions so numerous
as 10 make II unrecognizable to the author
as the child of his own brain. That is
not the case. yet, however, for the only
change Is that am celebrating Miss In
grams role little 1t Is very crafty
ing TO see the close attention and evident
interest OF every player without excep-
ton. They all seem anxious to get the
conception | would have them. and in no
instance have they failed. Miss Evesson
has worked very hard with me, trying
TO understand my motive in making Mrs.
Allston, the character she Is to play. say
certain things or not do other things
I'm this way. she gets n firm grasp and
shares my mental picture OF the woman
as i have tried to draw her. | am par
ticularly pleased with Mr.. Losees inter-
pretation OF the role OF Geoffrey Calvert.
the leading male role. Technically speak
ing. Calvert is the villain of the play.
but there Is also a strong good side TO
him. which requires art TO show.
Mr.. Josce Is doing this just az I pic.
tured him. Mr.. owen has n role differ
ent from those with which he is usually
associated by Providence playgoers. but
10 an actor OF Mr.. owens calibre nothing
is out Of bis line. IL r. a role which re-
ouires delicate shading 10 bring out the
many little points. and I am confident
from which have seen this morning ana
from what have seen this morning and
ties. that he will paint IL adequately. And