The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-09-18

assisted by Mr.. Edgar Atchison-Ely in
The Mocking Bird" light opera by
Sidney Rosenfeld and A. Baldwin Stone.
The opening last evening requires no
special review as TO the opera Itself. II
was seen with delight last season. This
reviewer was moved to express himself
most cordially as to the wealth OF tune
full and catchy music. the libretto and the
whole thing. In a word The Mocking
Bird" was n surprise because IL proved
TO be a refreshing operate oasis In long
spell of musical comedy and In different
things sailing under that title. In COM
position and I'm quality the work rs OF
the Robin Hood" and ''Serenade' stand
ard. ard there has been quite too little
OF that fine sort OF thing among the re-
cent stage fashions and accomplishments
although there is evidence that there Is
still prosperity for such, and promise OF a
general revival near at hand.
The production last season. had the
further advantage OF excellent render
ing by a large company OF talented prin-
cipals and chorus. fine costumng and
handsome scenery. 1t is much the same
company this season, except that Miss
Madeline Besley is the star in place of
Miss Mabelle Gilman who created the
role Of Yvette. a conspicuous favorite
in last seasons company was a comedian
named Edward Atchison-Ely. He is a
/
is infectious and carries his audience
with him and Il. Moreover he is a good
singer and clever dancer and altogether
q graceful, engaging performer. distinct
I've in all he does. He Is a remarkable
comedian from whose work there Is a
total absence OF the usual buffoon type.
There is finish and real cleverness about
everything he does.
The chief attraction OF last nights aud
fence was Miss Besley's appearance as
q star, since she is Providence girl well
known to many OF the younger set In
town and also more widely known as one
who has long been interested in making
career for herself on the stage, es-
pecially in operate work, and who has
worked hard and taken advantage of
every opportunity to the end. This
pretty little opera affords her her first
important opening and her appearance
at the beginning OF her season In Provi-
dence naturally drew 10 the theatre many
personal friends and acquaintances and
others. who have heard OF her ambitions
and desired TO discover how far she had
arrived. as we'll az TO pay tribute TO
her efforts and enterprise.
The test that Miss Besley has under
taken Is a fair one with its difficulties
and its advantages about equally divided.
She haE gone about the business is an
admirably sane az well as ambitious
way. Inc star part IN TINS pretty opera
is not a severe one. II Is light and
pretty. and possessed OF ample character
without being more important than score
OF ingenue roles that fan 10 the lot OF
the average light opera artist And,
again the part had been already created
by Miss Gilman, whose performance had
proved 10 be so bewitchingy satisfying
that a successor. and especially a young
PLAYER, would have no excuse for depart
inC from the model afforded for her ad-
vantage The risk. OF course. lies In The
possibility OF comparison. but 80 fer as
thar goes, Providence audiences. al least.
would not be disposed to consider II
whatever might be the case with the
other bookings on the circuit
IN style and temperament. Miss Besiey
has a good foundation for duplica ting the
Yvette OF last season, and with her nat
ural Accomplishments ~ was only a mat
ter OF training and hard work to III the
original mold. And II was revelation
of those natural accomplishments and
o. faithful application and OF hard work
In pe-fecting her part that tho young