The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-06-02
KEITH'S THEATRE.


ID TO the very walls by one OF the very
that ever graced theatrical perfor-
nance In this city. The occasion was
the first night" OF Edward Fullers play.
"Fetter, the winner OF the recent prize
play contest Everyone n this city Is
familiar with Mr.. Fuller's brilliant liter
ary attainments, and naturally the great
est interest was felt in his first dramatic
eort Not an auditor in the entire thea
tire but gave his closest attention from
the first curtain TO the hnal climax. and
the generous applause and criticisms
testified 10 the unqualified success ach-
teved by the play. Indeed those who
were skeptcal before. willingly admitted
at the end OF the second act that the
author had achieved a distinct triumph
Mr.. Fuller's play has not a new plot.
but IL IL one that has such human heart
interest. and he has treated IL I'm such
q forceful way. that Il makes a deep i'm
pressson upon everyone. and attracts and
holds the attention. II Is called a society
drama. and deals with n problem which
ts the most discussed OF any IN life: Mr.
Fuller. however. unlike many other
dramati lists. fortunately for the ultimate
effect OF the play solves the problem at
the climax of the play in a manner sa tis-
factory TO all. n and at the same time,
maintains logic.
At the opening OF the play Mrs. Ais
ton. an attractive young widow. and Col.
Philip Addfngton are about TO announce
their engagement Mrs. Allston sup
poees her husband to be dead. but che
at this point learns that the report OF
his death three years previous is false.
She tries TO buy his silence. and for
time succeeds. Then follows an i'm
passioned struggle with herself between
her love for Addington and her duty to-
ward her chad In this struggle she
Is urged by Mss Gregg. a spinster OF ad-
vanced ideas, 10 divorce her husband. and
by the Rev. Herbert Brent TO give UP
Philip, he not admitting the Legality OF
divorce. She finally decides to do the
latter, and is saying goodbye 70 Philip
when the problem IS solved for her I'm an
other way. which presumably brings her
happiness.
The situations are strong and not
forced: indeed. the entire plot IL develop
I'd In an easy. natural manner that Is
admirable and makes the audit live
he scene upon the stage. The dialogue
exceedingly direct and many times
brilliant. while always natural. Some
,lever cpsgrams give a touch OF smart
hess TO the lines. The frequent totI-hes
pf comedy did not in any sense detract
rom the effectiveness OF the absorbing
heme. Although the play was not. II
3 said written expressly for the Afbee
company. In most cases the roles assign
ID each member OF the cast fit their IN
iividual abilities admirably. Indeed
he opening performances showed a care
ul. painstaking preparation, and were
remarkably smooth and from no view
,oint could one have told that the play
pad never before been produced. The
lnish and technical perfections had
. elling effect and the fact that the i'm
preston OF newness was not felt in any
legrec is perhaps the best tribute that
fan be paid 10 Mr.. Fuller's effort.
In Mrs. Allston, Miss Evesson had a
| powerful role and one which gave her
Unlimited scope for emotional work. and
acr porI rayal of the woman. struggling
between lovw and duty was powerfully
Depicted. Mr. Iosee as Godfrey Cal
'ert gave performance that could not
20 improved upon and which stood out
With pre- minence as A new proof OF tbs
| rH he'd artists skill. He showed wrth
,nsummatc art the good and bad of the
heracter and In the final act lid niece
X acting that won unstinted appreciation
rom the audience.
Mr.. Turner gave an earnest sincere
ortrayal OF the Rev Herbert Brent
)ne felt that the sentiments uttered by
ir. Turner we're his very own and not
hose of the author so deep an impress
On did he make upon the audience. Mr..
Webb also gave a fine piece OF work in |
role that I'm less competent hands would
ave been over acted. The intelligence /
nd restraint evidenced in his work were |
xcellent and deserved the generous APP |
lause given it. Mr. Owens Professor
Yoscoe. the willy. hypocritical dealer in /
ypnotism, was. needless to say, incom-
arabic. He made every line tell. and
lthough different from anything in
yhtch he has previously been seen, the /
ole seemed to At him like a glove.
Miss Rehner gave a delightful charac- !
erdzation OF Miss Gregg. which Is an es-
eciaily well drawn character. Her /
pinions on men and marriage were pro- |
ocative of much merriment. Mr.. Cal |
ara had, In Col. Addington role that |
ave HIM very little opportunity. and the |
ray in which he did that little made |
veryone regret that the part was not /
better one. Mr., Nicansfer. still suffer |
,g from a cold. and Miss Ingram AZ the |
outhful lovers added a touch OF light
ess, and Miss Kirwin and Mr.. Marsh l
,ere adequate in small roles.
The applause throughout the entire per-
,rmance was hearty and frequent. and /
the end OF the third act. Mr.. Fuller,
ne playwright. was called before the cur
ain by a wave OF enthusiasm. In a few
RE. and well chosen words. he modest
,ixnt find I'm the eyes OF theatregoerr
ras largely due to the ability and ear
es. work OF the Albee company and 10
a. untirfng cooperation of Mr. Winter
nd Manager Lovenberg The play was