The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-05
!: ~. =. ....1heatres

That Mr.. f. s. willard is announced n
appear as David Garrick at the Provi-
dcnce Opera House tonight will be learn
ed with pleasure by hosts of local play
goers. for the fame OF his personation Of
this character Is widespread. The deli
cacy and refinement, no less than the con-
vIncing force, OF the eminent English
actors art are manifest In this perform
auce TO a high degree. The story OF the
play Is an oft-told tale that requires no
repetition here IL concerns a phase or
the always existing contest between the
narrow sordid mind and noble soul
supplemented by genius, in which the lat
ter qualities triumph. The hero Is true
gentleman, who holds his pledged word
so sacred that rather than break 1t. he
will suffer the loss OF what he holds most
dear-the love of pure young girl TO
keep his lightly given promise To her
father he undertakes 10 disillusionize her
by Stimulating intoxicstion. The so-called
drunken scene" Is the "clou'' OF the
play and in Il many ambitious actors
have met with lamentabe failure by
reason of overacting or treating II in a
farcical shirt Mr. Willard succeeds
where others have fallen short by making
Il apparent TO his auditors-not those on
the stage, but the people across the foot
lights-that underneath the sembance OF
wild hilarity lies grim despair. All
through fne play ne Keeps Close 10 the
narrow line that divides comedy and
pathos. and playgoers often find their
eyes filling with tears while their lips are
still wreathed In smiles.
"Alphonse and CASTOR" for which
Frank Dumont has written witty. sp1'k.
ling dialogue and introduced scenes and
incidents even more ludcrous and laugh
able than Fred Opper's humorous carl
L.,
will be seen this week at the Imperial A
magnificent ensemble OF the very bt st
comedians singers. dancers. speciality ard
vaudeville artists in q formidable array
Of all that is pleasing 10 the ey, and ear.
extremely funny scenes and situations.
display in marches. dances and tahleaux.
ell have been turned to practical account
by the art OF the scene painter. the skill
OF the eostumer and the genius Of the
stage director.
Repol the celebrated juggler. is Ole Of
the recent bookings for the local Keith
house. which is underscored for carly ap-
pearance. Repoli is one of the highest
salaried performers In his line on the
vaudeville stage TODAY.
%.
Mile Latina. the beautiful oontortion-
ist and one Of the most perfectly formed
week Of January 12th nj Keith's. offerins
her iaceful act Of po'turing and contor-
tion feats.
After two years of unabated success
and triumphs In London the hve :ug
Cling Johnsons have returned 10 their
native shores where they viii begin their
engagement with n. r. Keith. on the lat
ters circuit Of vaudeville theatres.
Mile Agnes Mahr. the Frs1ch danseuss
arrived from Paris last week and com
menced her tour Of the Keith vaudeville
theatres. She opened ut the New York
Keith theatre. whore she WIS given a well
come such "a has rarely been accorded
any dancer of recent years. showing that
the winsome little lady has rot been for
gotten Her new dances were received
with hearty enthusiasm II she made
one Of the hits Of the bill
Joseph Arthur's latest play. Lost Riv.
er." s scenic melodrama somewhat
akin 10 BLUE jeans in It's sensational
scenes and effects. but much better play
as regards construction and dialogue
There are a number or mechanical de-
vices and much livestock used in Lost
River" which Is described as n poem OF
rural life. There are also some tremen'
dously strong dramatic situations. sucf
a. knife and pistol hght between char
scters riding az full speed on their wheels
The scenery and mechanical effects add
realism 10 the scene as we'll a. a vividll
portrayed storm. There is also finels
painted scene OF the Baden toll road, and
It's cumbersome toll gate crossing the
stage through which the heroine dashe'
at full speed. pursued by two robbers al