The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-25
... ~. 1heatres

Ezra Kendall Is unquestionably one OF
the best character actors in the United
States today, and yet Ezra Kendall never
used a makeup, I'm all his vaudeville
work, and It is said that he follows the
same idea in the new play written for
him by Herbert Hall Winslow, and in
which he is being starred this season by
Liebler & Co.
Who will ever forget that old-fashioned
frock coat vintage OF 1880 showing the
unmis taxable evidence OF wear so steady
and persistent that no coat of these de-
generate days would bear recognition as
a garment OF that nature after 1t had
been worn one-tenth Of the time?
Who that ever saw that Ezra Kendall
battered tile, which he bought In Balti-
more secondhand store a decade ago, on
the representation that il had been de-
posted there by an impoverished good
old southern gentleman OF the ante-bel-
lum days, will be able to erase the picture
from his memory?
Who can forget the old army shoes and
the antlquated necktie. or the Christy
minstrel gripsack that he carried? The
Joe Miller of THE Vinegar Buyer IL
similarly attired whom ,e makes his first
entrance In the new play, II Is said. and
throughout the entire three acts the
comical counteuance OF Ezra Kendall Is
always visible-whenever Joe Miller has
the stage-free from makeup or disguise
OF any sort.
The natural presumption is that IT
doesn't take Mr.. Kendall long to get
ready TO go on, and In fact about four
minutes Invariably does the work. \
story is told OF a Chicago experience Of
Mr.. Kendalls which will not only Illus
trate the celebrity with which he prepares
for the atage hut which -Mill-alsn- show
the Kendall ready wit.
This was I'm his vaudeville days. and
stage manager and everybody Interested
about the theatre was frightened half TO
death over the fact that the moment for
Kendalrs turn" was at hand, and no
Kendall was I'm sight II was scorching
hot day and the stage managers two
hundred and eighty pounds avoirdupois
was reeking at every pore. Just then
Kendall dropped in. looking as cool az a
cucumber. The stage manager glowered
at him savegely
you seem to be taking matters pretty
cody" was the managers opening re-
mark.
We'll OF course II Is trine warm.
but | am doing my best" said Kendall,
with his modest unsophistiCated smile
Hardy. Mr. Kendall" was the savage
rcioinder "Tf you were doing your best
YOU would have got here sooner These
gentlemen and ladies are half dead wait
ing for you. sir. -
"Oh, then it isn't me you want 20 see. -
said Kendall neryously You want a
doctor I will GO and get you one" and
he made his way hastily across the street
10 an attractive looking storeroOm. over
the door OF which the mysterious word
cafe" appeared, TO see II he could dis
cover a doctor I'm the bottom OF glass
he found on the counter.
Chaunccy Olcott. the Irish comedian and
sweet singer. viii return TO the Provi-
dence Opera house the last three nights
Of next week. matinee Saturday. where
he will appear In n new play 10y Angus
tus pitou. entitled "Old Limerick Town ="
The play deals with Ireland I'm the years
ls35.S6 and tells OF "Neil O'Brien." n
Young gentleman OF fortune. and his
struggle for the hand and heart OF
"Noreen. Burke" The story of their love
fills out four acts. during which there IS
much OF Irish Wit. Irish courage and
Irish song.
Mir Olcott has composed four new
songs for the play. "Norcen Maveur-
neen- THE Limerick OF Is" THE Voice
OF the Violet" aud Every Little Dog
Must Have His Day"
Afr Pitou has provided fine company
and q splendid scenic establishment FOR
"Old Limerick Town" and reports say
u l. the best. by long odds, that Nj.
Olcott has ever had.
Charles b. Dilllnghams highly sue