The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-04-20

My, What a crush there was. And what
a night IL you've never been TO an Albee
Stock company opening night YOU can't
realize what a gala time II is. Certainly
one not 10 be missed. and well worth
standing In line several hours to buy
seats. Nothing on record i'm Providence
theatricals can equal IL In brllliancy and
enthusiasm, and I felt amply repaid for
standing the entire evening. What makes
II different from any other evening at
Keith's during the stock season? can't
tell you. You must 20 20 ono for yourself
and see, for no words can do the event
Justice. The lights, music beautiful flow
ers. and above all the enthusiasm, go 20
make up an evening that will never be
forgotten by anyone who attends one OF
sneee first nights. I haven't missed an
opening night OF the Albee company during
Its entire career, nor would / for worlds.
The theatre Monday night was jammed
20 the walls. and the audience was a most
fashionable one, as is always the case up
on the .Albee company opening nights
The pretty theatre looked even prettier
than usual, however. and the theatre
decorator seemed TO have outdone himself
Gsrlands OF pretty green leaves, and i'm
menso punches OF carnations decorated
the boxes and stalls. and innumerable
palms and potted plants were tastefully
placed I'm the various parts OF the theatre.
The heavy winter draperies of the vsuds-
Vile season had disappeared and In their
place were light, airy summer ones.
The ushers and attaches. always taste
fully attired. wore and natty uni
forms OF the Norfolk style. simple yet
very striking. and altogether the theatre
itself attracted almost as much attention
and admiration. and deservedly so, as the
new stock company. Long before opening
time the theatre was completely oiled. FOR
nounced that no person would he seated
after the rise OF the curtain. II is capt.
tai rule and deserves the endorsement ot
every real theatregocr, and Judging from
the manner in which people sought their
seats before the rise OF the curtain.
wasn't the only one heartily in sympathy
with this rule And what lot OF bother
and Inconvenience IL saved everyone.
There was no jumping up and down TO let
some one pass yon after the curtain had
risen. an inconvenience unavoidable In a
theatre.
There was moment OF expecta tion and.
without the customary delay on first
nights, the curtain went up promptly.
ushering I'm the new Albee stock company.
Everyone settled down in his or her seat.
and although friendliness was written on
every face and manner. there was an at
mosphere OF critical aloofness as II every
one wanted TO say, We want to like you,
but you must first show US what you can
do" IL was therefore delightful 20 see the
thorough spontanoity Of the outbursts OF
welcome given every single member ~ the
company Really, felt extremely proud
OF everyone In the entire audience. As a
newspaper woman. when interviewing
many prominent theatrical people have
had TO defend Providence playgoers
against the accusation OF being cold and
undemonstrative. and confess TO having
Arf1if nA "a aaN 10 solf
hundreds OF times. Monday night. how
ever, I felt that l had vronged my fell
low theatregoers. Who could accuse
Providence people OF being undemonstra-
tive after such q splendid series OF wei
comes as they extended to the members Of
the Albee company? IL was naturally 10
he expected that the old favorites would
be warmly greeted, but the receptions
given them amounted TO positive ovations
which for a time interrupted the progress
Of the play but no one cared for that our
sole thoughts being to make each OF the
Old fsvorftes realize how glad we were
10 have them with us once again The
nice feature OF the outbursts OF applause.
however was the generous share given 20
every new conner, without a single excep-
tion. II WIS evident that the greeting
given them was a genuine surprise TO the
new members OF the company, for IN
many Instances Il quite confused them
every ones manner
II was quite forgiveable During one
or the long periods OF applause realized
why so many actors and actresses ure-
Ter stock work. in spite OF the hard work
attached TO ~. The performances went
along remarkably smooth. and one would
never have imagined IL was first per-
formance. so nawless was the ensem-
BILE
var In
impatiently for what We had come TO
expect and what is one OF the delightful
features Of tho Albee company openings
This was the distribution OF the floral
tributes sent TO the various members OF
the company. This came at the end OF
OF the second act. when. in resopnse to
our insisteut applause the curtain was
raised several times. finally showing the
entire company grouped In a semi circle
upon the stage A number Of ushers
then fled down the centre aisle, hearing
srmfus OF beautiful flowers each usher
making several trips before all the how-
ers we're handed over the foctlights
When the last piece had been given the
stage looked Ike one immense flower gar
den and made picture that will remain
long I'm the memory OF those who we're
present But We seldshly continued 10
applaud. and at last Mr.. Craig was urged
to the nootlights to make a little speech.
II was evidently quito unexpected on his
part. tut the emotion which prevented
him from saying very much spoke vol
umcs. and although we wanted 10 hear
more from the new leading man who had
won our immediate favor he modestly
declined I'm favor OF Miss Lawrence.
Shaking playful finger at Mr. Craig.
Miss Lawrence repeated Mr.. Craigs
words. that she didn't know just
what to say for the warmth OF their
greetings had been 30 great that she
WIS unable 10 express her appreciation.
snd enf1d by SAYING, very pretty and
vish tie trcmor I'm her beautiful voice.
81 40 n. "a YOU will like US" Then Mr..
Winter was brought forward and made
q little speech and the cutsrSn fell. Every