The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-05-17

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In another aspect the presence OF so
many leaders In the social life of the
city was notable. 1t indicated a pleasing
faith In home talent. and a cheering con-
hdence that this talent would acaut itself
worthily OF the by no means easy task OF
providing an evenings pleasure amid un-
familiar surroundings and In the trying
and disconcerting glare OF the footllghts.
Nor was this confidence unwarranted
While there were blemishes and occa-
sional slight bitches. the performance as
a whole was given with degree OF
smoothness and precision that must have
been surprise to those who doubted the
ability of amateurs to achieve such well
come results.
THE Revelers'' is a composite produc-
ton so far as the book is concerned Mr.
George Lockhart Darte and Mr. Charles
II Rowland OF this city were the Gre
ators OF the greater part OF It. but in
their constructive work they had the
expei fenced advice and guidance OF Mr..
II. A. Barnet OF Boston, who is also in en-
tire charge OF the present ntation. The
musical setting is the work OF Mr.. Ed
ward w. corliss OF Providence. whose
compositions are well known and gen
orally praised. While for "The Revelers"
he has adapted and rearranged freely
from the compositions of others, ne has
also furnished several original numbers
that are really among the most charming
features OF the musical garniture OF the
piece.
AS TO the book-its purpose is mani
fest from the first line to the final period.
II was written TO create fun; TO provoke
laughter and promote good feeling There
Is no attempt at plot or even at sequence
II is rollicking. breezy. happy go lucky
congiomeration OF wit humor and bright
ness that serves 10 keep the rislbles so
constantly employed that there is neither
time nor inclination to do otherwise than
surrender unreservedly to the mastering
magic Of its delightful nonsense.
There are three revels in THE Reve-
ers"-the first devoted to minstrelsy the
second TO vaudeville and the third TO
musical comedy. IL may well be doubted
whether amateurs hereabouts. at any
rate. ever offered a black face entertain
ment OF greater merit or that gave a
higher degree Of satisfaction to the audi
ence. The quips and Jokes had the flavor
OF originality and were all the more
mirth compelling because most OF them
had local application. Col II. Anthony
Dyer as the interlocutor was not merely
efficient. but surprisingly smooth and fell
citous In his manner OF meeting and turn
ing the whimsicalities Of the four end
men.
This quartet made up OF Messrs. George
w Dover Arthur Il. Aylesworth, Frank
Cranston and Ernest L. Sprague were no
less successful and their efforts contrib
uted very materially TO the enjoyment OF
the first revel OF which the complete pro-
gram was as follows:
Curtain raiser. Knight of the Mystic
Star" Braham and Harrigan. by the cir
Gle: opening medley, ''Potpourr1 OF Old /
Time Minstrel Song" arranged by F. w
Corliss. by the circle; song. I'm goin'
to Live Anyhow till / Die" Mr.. Frank |
Cranston and circle; song. The Prince
OF Good Fellows" Cooke and DeKoven. |
Mr.. Derrick schloss and circle; song |
"I've Got TO Go Now Cause | Think It's /
Coin to Rain" Rose and Osborne Mr.. |
Ernest L. Sprague and circle; song, I'm !
Certainly Feelin' Bad" Mr. Arthur p. /
Aylesworth and circle song. Sweet |
heart Mine Own" Cheeswright and Cor |
liss MI Charles H. Everett or Mr.. Will /
lard G.. Ward and circle; song, Barney"
Ed Rogers. Mr.. George w. Dover and |
circle: final medley, "Potpourri OF Old !
Time Minstrel Sengs," arranged by L. W
Corliss, by the circle
The solos were without exception ex-
cellently rendered and like the numbers }
allotted to the well-trained and well bal
anced chorus drew forth hearty encores.
Three vaudeville specialties constituted
the second revel. Bennie Cooks Offering
was a song and dance In which he dis
played fair vocal ability and considerable
pedal agility. Miss May Browns toe
dancing was strikingly graceful and che
was among those most plentifnlly re
warded with applause. In bis impersona-
tons and songs Mr.. Thomas Drew was
exceedingly clever and showed the posses
sion OF unusual powers OF mimicry.
Miss Helen l.. Knowles as Mrs. Baxter
field and Miss Marion Brown as Miss
Flirtabit filled the parts assigned them
most effectively.
Music, comedy, songs and dances made
up the third and last revel. and IL was n
pleasing close 10 a very delightful even
ing's entertainment. IL has already
been said this feature Is nothing more
than a bit OF fronosome nonsense intend
ed as "A vehicle by which TO introduce
several songs and pretty dances. Mr..