Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-09-17
THE LILY AND THE PRINCE"

y strong play, presented by an excel
lent company headed by IA bright star
that must have been the unanimous YER
diet of all who saw 1.-The Lily and the
Prince ON the opera house stage Friday
evening by the company of actors and
actresses, led by Miss Mildred Holland
The play, which is from the pen of Carina
Jordan, was first brought out by Miss
Holland last winter and had the success
which has marked all the efforts of this
actress during the last few years. 1t
was given in this city for the first time
Friday evening to a most cordial and APP
precative audience and from an artistic
and scenic standpoint is the most pre-
tentious Of any play in which Miss Hol
land mas yet appeared here.
The Lily and the Prince" is a story
of Italian life in the sixteenth century
when the great house of Borgia in
iiuenced the politics of the greater part
of the world. England, France and Spain
looked with avaricc upon the papal states
and conspiracy was on foot for their
overthrow. The houses of Orsini, Fcrrara
and CoOna all figure in the story and
the great lucrezia Borgia herself plays
an important part. AS a foil for the wles
of lucrczia. the character Of Angela iii
Savelh. Florentnc maiden the lily
of the story. is introduced This is the
part taken by Miss Holland and it is most
admirably adapted to her talents The
climax comes in the third act, when
Angela pcnetratcs the inQusition cham
her and in the president of the council
discovers the voice of the man who had
been to her father with "a plot for the
destruction of the paral states. She de-
nounces him. in a spirited declaration, and
cardinal Capua. who, in disguise. has "A
place among the councillors. dissolves the
assembly. Here it was that Miss Hollands
MAGNIFICENT dramatic work so stirred the
audience that she was compelled to re-
spond to repeated curtain calls.
Unlike many stars. Miss Holland does
not hesitate to surround herself with
others who can act, and this is indeed
fortunate in such n play as THE Lily
and the Prince" which demands. in or
der to be successfully presented "A strong
supporting company. Richard Thornton
WAS handsome, manly and heroic Silvio
DOrsini, Carroll DAILY gave IA lightness
to the part of the Prince Of Colona which
contrastod well with Slvio's seriousness;
handsome Mary Stockwcll enacted the
character of the INSCRIPTIONS Lucrezia
Borgia with much skill and had good
second in Edith French as Sancia the
countess; Frederick Guest was excellent
as the Duke of Fcrrara. who in the first
act masqucradcS as Frontini: George
tlrHrd deserves mention for the faithful
way in which he played the character
of Count di SaVelli and the work of Da-
VIA X. Dung as cardinal tapua was
very effective in the third and fourth
acts.
The stage settings of "The Lily and the
Prince" are rich and warm in their med
iaeNal colorinC. The first act represents
an Italian. rose garden near Florence on
the estate Of Count di SaNcll 1t is. per
hars the most beautiful scene from A
pictorial point, because of the odor of
the fresh spring roses and the refreshing
murmur OF a natural fountain in full
operation. The second act is the boudoir
Of Lucrczia Borga. in the castle of Fer
rara, Monte Rosa, some fifteen miles from
Rome Here the furnishings match the
room and are luxurious and massive The
third act presents the entrance to the
council chamber of justice, a grim and
forebodine place, but quite overshaduw-
ed by the intense hlackncss of the cham
her itself The fourth act depicts an art
gallery of ample proportions and well en-
bellished with portraits and other scenic
accessories.
I he costumes are typical of the time
and period in which tho play moves and
are marked by richness Of material and
laboratories of design. When they come
together in the play they present a bril-
liant array of exquisite and harmonious
colors.
"rhe Lily and the Prince will lngcr
long in the minds OF these who saw 1t as
a most delightful entertainment.