The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-16
EMPIRE THEATRE,

Tess OF the DUrbervilles, a drama
tization from Thomas Hardys novel. by
Lorrimer Stoddard, Is the attraction at the
Empire this week The play has MANY
fine lines, but the first two acts are me-
diocre and uninteresting. Earle Ryder. as
Angel Claire, and VIII j. Deane, as Alec
Stoke D'Urberville. infuse dash and life
into the play, and with Tess DUrberville
form the nucleus around which the plot Is
woven. The play was well staged and the
scenic investure adequate. Miss Warren.
as Tess. had trying role which called
for excellent work. Her acting was de-
hghtfully fresh, unaffected and full OF
womanly sweetness and tenderness and
In the scale OF emotion that the role pro-
vides struck no false note. In the trying
scenes when her husband deserts her and
her family are about 10 be turned out
she evidenced unusual temperament her
delineauon OF the role being n fine dis
eliminating Interpretation, with a COM
municative outpour OF genuine sincerity
and convincing disclosure OF womanly
grace and tact. The curtain falls on the
nnal scene at Stonehange In the ruins of
the Druids temple, where Tess and her
husband have fed from the vengeance OF
the law, and with happiness once more
casting its benignant halo upon them. ana
oblivious of all their SURROUNDINGS. thew
await the summons TO the bar OF Justice
general resume OF the play follows
less DUrberville ID is beloved by Angel
clare. who asks her 10 he his wife BE-
fore giving him a decided answer she
writes note telling him OF past secret
ana lays beside IL rose. Joan Durbey-
Held, her mother. takes the note and
claire receives the rose and again pleads
his cause
Tess and Claire are married, but her
past again rises and he leaves her. Forced
by poverty and despair, and be,,evinv
Angel dead. she listens 10 the plead,nys
or Alec D'Urberville. and takes I'm her
abode with him. Claire returns and when
he sees her condition OF life leaves her
out returns Just as She goaded TO frenzy
by the taunts OF D'Urberville. kills him
claire and Tess seek safety In flight and
are found by the officers OF the law I'm tho
ruins OF the Druids' temple at stone
hangee
Earle Ryder, as Angel Claire. gave dis
tinction 10 the role and was notioeahIv
earnest TO make the most OF his opportu-
mites VIII j. Dean. as Alec Stoke DIR
berville. was fair I'm the eariv ac,ior 90
the play, and I'm the scene I'm the last sct
was most consistent and won marked
favor. Peter NJ Lany. as John Durbev-
neIo' madc an excellent impression by his
humorous antics and play OF facial ex-
preston
Lillian Page. as Marian, was careful
and discriminating, while Clara Rev
nolds Smith, as Joan Durbeyfleld. plaved
In the right key. and was natural M ali
times. Others who deserve special mon
tion are Nellie Claire. Ralph Theadore
Warren Burrows. James Cripps. lillian
claire, Olive Thorne and jenny Dunbar
Among the improvements noted was a
new asbestos curtain. IL is n handsome
OF dull gold ana hrou,r -.
serves TO emphasize that Managers snItz
and Nathanson will have nothing rndone
for the protection OF their patrons
Next week comes Charles T.. Blanev.s
drama, For His Brothers crime" with
Montgomery Irving IN the title role.