The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-10-12
he THEATRES

There arc more things combined In the
production Of a musical comedy like THE
Girl from Kay's," which is to be seen
at the Providence Opera house next week.
than in any other kind Of stage enter
tainment. Outside Of it's own merits
drama or straight comedy depends upon
acting for It's success. Handsome and
pictorial settings are a help, but are not
always absolutely essential. In piece
like The Girl from Kay's' good acting
Is as necessary as In a Shakespearean
drama Beautiful scenery is expected and
the costumes must be necessarily OF tho
latest design and OF handsome materials.
There must be light, life and lots Of
movement and the draggy moment must
be obliterated. Then there is the music.
There is lots to be had that is good, but
is not good enough. II must contain
those qualities which make for popularity
and the proportion Of songs that have
these qualities is less than one In n
thousand. A tuneful melody might be
ruined by a poor voice. singers who
can really sing have TO be secured. In a
measure the protector of musical COM
edy must appeal to ones eye, ear and
sense of humor. In the way OF costumes
and settings he must take a step I'm adj
vance of all OF the previous works of this
class that have been staged. 1t is said
tnat The Girl from Kay's" shows the
onward strides made I'm the staging OF
mus lcal- comedies and that II boasts OF
one OF the most lavish productions that
the stage has had in recent years. The
public likes musical comedies, which is
shown by the way I'm which they are sup
pCrteo. but managers only produce them
10 fulM a demand and not through ex-
pectation Of reaping big profits Musical
productions are fearful risks when pro-
duced In Mr.. Frohman's lavish way. The
cost OF production is heavy" the cost OF
maintaining them is heavy and at the
best the margin OF profit is as nothing
compared with that which may be earned
by successful play with small dram
attic company
The Marcel Art Studies at Keith's are
the talk OF the town. Never before has an
act OF tableaux vivant been shown on a
Providence stage that could compare with
these wonderful reproductions SO abso-
lutely perfect are they I'm every detail
and so lifeless do they appear.~that IL is
not until the models step from the pic
lures that the audience believe that they
are human beings instead OF marble. No
description can adequately picture the
act. and they must be seen 10 be APP
preciated. IL Is unnecessary TO state that
NJ. Marcel is himself an artist OF reputa-
ton and accomplishments and that he
was for IL years Identified with the Acad-
emy OF Fine Arts at Brussels and Paris.
for even the most unobServlng eye can
detect In these marvelously graceful bas-
relefs and statues. the reverent. careful
hand OF an artist. When one gazes 81
these art studies for the uncommonly
long period for which they hold each
picture. trying TO detect the slightest pos
sible movement OF percepuble breathing.
one cannot but realize what a great de-
OF time. patience and skill must have
been employed to get this act a. tho state
OF perfection I'm which IL now is and the
credit must be divided between the pro-
ducer and his professional models.
sss
Those who imagine they have seen all
that ~ possible In the line OF shadow
graphy should 60 TO Keith's this week to
see Chassino, an European drawing room
entertainer, who is little short OF mar
vel. Besides giving some remarkably
clever and amusing shadowgraphs with
his hands. this man manipulates his toes
with astonishing, skill, giving pretty
vases animals and funny characters and
the closest attention and heartiest of
laughter r. showered upon everything he
does by the older theatregoers as we'll
as the little people.
sss
Annie irish. the distinguished legitimate
actress OF the Frohman forces Will be the
bright particular star Of an attractive
program AZ Keith's next week. appearing
In dainty ons-act play, An Actress