The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-10
HE THEATRES

William Collier. who is undoubtedly
one OF the cleverest comedians now before
the public. seems 10 have been singularly
fortunate in making his alliance with
Charles Frohman. He has signed con-
tract with Mr.. Frohman. which extends
presented IN comedies written especially
70 suit his peculiar style OF work. The
FIRST frs In which he IS appearing under ,N Mr.
tator." farce by Richard Harding Da-
yis. There seems no reason 20 doubt
made by Mr.. Collier. Everyone who has
seen the piece agrees that IL is by far
the best in which this talented actor has
ever appeared. Mr.. Frohman has given
Mr.. Collier a supporting company that
numbers many prominent players. The
Dictator" with a complete production
the Providence opera house the first
three nights OF next week matinee We'd
nesday.
Theatregoers may confidently expect a
rare musical and comedy treat when tly
Frank /. Perley Opera company appeay'
In "A Venetian Romance" az the Provi-
dence Opera house the last three nights
OF next week. matinee Saturday. This is
said 10 be the finest effort OF Mr.. Perley.
who mas never been known to produce a
failure and whose offerings have always
proven delightful surprises.
This new organization, from all ac-
counts Is the very largest comic opera
company in existence. II mum bers 125
members. carries it's own orchestra OF 20
Instruments and brass band for use on
passenger coaches and two baggage cars
"a transport il. Mr.. Perley says the
finest scenic and costume display he has
ever made will be shown In "A Nene-
tan Romance" The company includes
Harry Macdonough. comedian: Sophie
Brandt. prima donna. and long list OF
other comedy favortes.
Mary Norman. the clever society carl
caturist, who is the topline feature OF
the bill at Keith's this week. is one OF
appeared at Keith's this season Her act
Is decidedly unique. and what is more,
IL Is amazingly artistic IL seems In
trays a variety of American girl types in
q HUMOROUS manner could do so In a
Norman does. To be sure, she chooses
humorous types. but she portrays them
frithfully, without exagger6tion and with
tator can almost imagine he Ia watching
Ave direrent girls from different cities.
rather than one girl impersonating the
her types long and thoroughly. but the
chief characteristic which makes her
work so pleasing is her ability TO sink
ent roles she enacts.
favorite entertainer with vaudeville
face musical monologust. who Is one OF
the features OF the excellent bill offered
at Keith's this week. Mr.: Latell occupies
high place In vaudeville and Is that
rarty-sn excellent musician and a truly
funny comedian as well. When lad
at school Mr.. Iatell demonstrated his
JUNCTION as comedian. and his pranks
and mischief making made him the ter
ror Of his teachers. But while ~ was
natural for him to BE- a funmaker his
limited supply of "stick-to-it-iveness. He
was always muscally inclined but his
mother. whose Puritan instincts warned
her not to encourage anything that might
lead her boy toward the stage, discour-
aged his. liking for music. and would not
let the boy y,,ls'r1 learn 10 play the plano or
In the summer time he spent the vaca-
tion with his parents I'm a small country
town and much of the boys time was
passed IN a small barber shop where the
proprietor played the banjo more than
he cut hair or shaved chins. Here the
boy learned TO pick up popular airs on
the banjo. and his natural ability earned
the interest OF the barber. who then
taught him all he knew. Before long he
lowered above his teacher. and then n
was time to go back TO the city. He
had no banjo. but with the money he had
managed 10 save in his small bank. he
persuaded his barber friend to buy
second handed banjo for him. He was
a proud and happy child when he carried
home his banjo. but alas. his mother
sternly refused 70 allow him TO keep g.
"T won't annoy YOU with It. Mother"
pleaded Ed. tearfully. "Ill practice I'm
Towsers (their big ST. Bernard dog)
kennel" And so. the child won. and
when his parents heard him play, they
were astonlshed with his progress. and he
became the ''chief headline attraction.
as Mr.. Latell himself expresses n. I'm
his mothers guests from
that time. tne boys passion for music
Increased, and the parents, realizing the.
futility OF thwartng whas was un-
real talent. aided him In Il.
by securing for him the best OF teachers.
As he mastered the banjo. he grappled
with the French horn. and continued 20
learn variety OF instruments. until to-
day he Is considered the only monologue
before the public who is an
\ No. ] musician as we'll
-
one Of the most enjoyable attractions
of tho season ie that delightful piav of
rural life sis Hopkins. which Will come