The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-17
EMPIRE THEATRE.

The revival this season OF James A.
Herne's famous domestic play Hearts Of
Oak" has met with the most generous
support at the hands of the play-golng
public Hearts of Oak" as well as
.shore Acres" are said to be doing an
enormous business and in every city
where the Herne plays have been pro-
duced, the capacity of the theatres have
been tested.
In evolving Hearts OF oak" the author
made n careful study of the folk who
dwell on the rugged shores of New Eng
land. He watched their daily doings ano
then gave the world his pen pictures o.
Ife. presenting the same with careful
attention 10 detail that has made the
Herne productions world famous. In
witnessing either Hearts of oak or
"shore Acres" the entire gamut OF the
spectators emotions is skilfully played
upon. one laughs at the Joy of the stage
characters and then weeps with their sor-
rows
or Hearts OF oak II may be said that
| II was the first OF the modern style OF
L
| the first In which repressed acting 80
much I'm vogue now. was introduced. /,
marked an epoch in the American drama.
| and at the period when Il was produced.
| was undoubtedly ahead OF the times. Per
| haps more in the manner OF It's portrayal
| than I'm the originality OF the story lal
| It's chief charm and It's success with thf
public. James A. Herne. the author OF
Hearts OF Oak" Sag Harbor," 'Shor,
Acres" and kindred plays, occupie
rather an unique position In connectioi
| with the American drama.
| II fell TO his lot 90 fight tradition anJ
l prejudice IN acting. Just as lnnovators d.
other lines OF progress have had 10 NEE,
| the same kind OF opposition. Mr.. Hernl
| insisted at all times on truth" both 81
| the construction OF his plays and In the
presentation OF them Hold the mirror
| up TO nature" IN reality was his watch
word. or at least as nearly so as the H.
mutations OF the stage make II possible.
| Thus when he n ad dinner or supper
scene to portray. he insisted upon hav-
ing the real food instead OF the impos-
sible male shifts the deceived no
in every theatre. Then too in his
teachings Of stage children he got away
from old ruts and old ideas. Everyone
| will remember the charm OF Mr. Herne'
children In his plays simply because they
are real. living, natural human beings
| He provided them with lines such as they
would utter and lisp as they would IN
| real life.
They are not the impossible beings that
one Is accustomed 60 seeing on the stage
IL a child IN real life would act and tall
az some stage children do, ~ would bs
soundly spanked and put to bed and de-
sorvedly 80 too. Not 30 with the llttl,
ones I'm Hearts OF Oak FOR they ar,
living and breathing mites OF humanity
and II r. said that when they are on IN,
stage they really feel themselves 20 b,
the characters they represent. The lin,
Of reasoning 10 which Mr. Hcrne com
mitted himself was first exemplined n
Hearts ~ oak" ana has been steadily
followed In all his plays.
Hearts Of Oak" is played this season
! by n specially selected company and (,
given with a wealth of realistic scener,
and effects. The company includes james
He;ne. Edward Conn j. Leonard Clarke
| w y. Gross. Albert Wahle. William
| Nash. Walter Coupe. Elise Ryan. Emil,
| Macpherson Ieona Evans. the six-year.
/ old actress and Grace Estelie CLARK A
superb male quartet Il feature ~ ths
Hearts of Oak company that will bs
seen here az the Empire theatre, for one