The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-04-10
tn -ATRInAl. NOTES.

Mrs. Langtry Will appear next week
at the Providence Opera house. The IA
nous English actress will be seen In
romantic historical play by Mr.. Paul
Kester. entitled "Mademoiselle Mars"
The play Is woven around certain Incl
dents in the career OF the famous French
actress. who was great friend ana
faithful adherent OF Napoleon Mao
emoiselle Mars" deals in an interesting
manner with romantic episode IN the
life OF the emperor. 1t shows how the
actress who gives her name TO the drama
Is able to help the warrior in his earlier
days and how he. seventeen years later,
makes generous return by saving the
lady and her lover from the rigor OF law.
The story is unfoldef on the stage amid
scenes of surprising beauty, while the
players themselves are clad IN dresses
that are both tasteful and sumptuous.
"Mademolselle Mars" is a beautiful pict-
ure OF the Empire period In France.
Mrs Langtry first produced the play
about a year ago I'm London. when IL ran
for over a hundred and fifty nights at
the Imperial theatre, which she owns and
manages. The play has been staged un-
der the direction OF Mrs. Langtry and
will be presented here with the original
scenery, costumes and effects
s.-
will present for the first time in Amer
lea a new comedy by Percy Fendall en-
titled Mrs. Derng's Divorce"
Thirty-thousand dollars year In roy
altles is what the dramatic version Of
Ben Hur' brings Gen Lew Wallace.
This sum Is earned I'm less than year.
for the average theatre season Ia but
thirty weeks.
The story goes that II took n lot OF per-
suasion 10 get the generals consent 10
the making Of the play OF his religious
romance Klaw & Erlanger, the pro-
rucers knew what they were about when
they rubbed away the authors scruples.
Now in the closing years OF his life, the
general is passed three score and ten,
he Is made doubly famous and his for
tune is growing like the scriptural tree.
"Ben Hur" as n play is less than a
hundred weeks old. Play royalties are
paid by the week usually a small per
centage Of the gross receipts for that
period Few writer's OF any fame draw
less than D per cent Some OF distinct
ion get more and even double. Occa-
sionally a big advance Is exacted before
pen Is set TO paper. which Is dissolved
I'm royalties later. after the work is pro-
duced and making money but u takes
name honored with many successes to
do this
ben IIur" as n book was I'm tremen-
dous vogue before the play was produced.
I so that 10 Is safely probabc 10 figure o
| per cent OF the gross :.o~'p;s OF Gen.
\ Wallaces share In the dramatic career
| OF "Ben Hur."
! The average weekly re0e.,Ss of the play
/ version has been over $1,000 IL Is easy
\ 20 tell from this the tidy sum due Gen.
! Wallace each week. Eight-hundred dol
I lars a week has been added 10 the fortu-
| nate authors bank account each week
| for the past two seasons.
.ss
/ one of the most prominent members OF
the Albee Stock company this season Is
/ certain TO be William " Turner. an ac-
tor OF sterling abilities who has been con-
nccted with many OF the Leading theat-
rical organizations OF this country. and
| by dilligent work. study. perseverance,
| and close attention 10 detail has won an
| enViable position a. one OF the leading
/ character actors lie has been before
| the public OF this country and Europe
for many years. coming To America IN
I 81 Ills earlier experiences included en-.
/ Ragaments with George c. Bonifacc IN
THE Streets OF New York" O. T. Little
I I'm THE World" and Frank Chanfrau ir
/ Kit. the Arkansas Traveller" and "The
! Octoroon."
In the latter play. his performance ot
Iufian was praised by critics I'm all NJ
tho leading cities and he equally shared
| the honors of the production with IN,
I stars For tho past hfteen years he has
! been under the management of Julius
Calm. during which time he has appeare,
In many New York successes. alway'