The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-10-04
EMPIRE THEATRE.

THE best swordsman In all France
was In town last evening He is a popular
fellow, this strenuous and unusually much
maligned knight OF the rapler, and his
periodic visits 20 this city are ever
marked and notable events. As the i'm
mortal D'Artagnan or the less widely
known CASTOR de Marssc he needs no
introduction 10 Providence people.
On this visit he was Henri Lagadare,
large minded. virtuous. strong armed,
crafty and courageous captain of some
thing or other who was "Banished by the
King" but didn't let the sad fact inter-
fere with his sword play. Last evening
he was full OF fight and IN four rounds
or better. acts-put out OF action sur
prisingiy large number OF "hirelingS and
masters" He had so much bloody bust
ness on hand that he was forced, before
the long job was finished. 10 hand a sword
70 his lady love and set her TO work In his
behalf.
This is by way OF a new introduction
TO an old friend and very popular one,
Thomas Shea, actor For Tsny years
Mr.. shea's reputation has been secure and
substantial. In a host OF parts he has
seen At 10 appear before Providence
audiences in seasons past and each new
visit reveals a still further proof OF the
This week. at the Empire. Mr. Shea
presents a varied repertoire: "Othello,"
"The Bells" Cardinal Richeieu" and
Or Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde" together with
his latest success, "Banished by the
King" This last named play was Mr..
shea's selection for his opening perform
ance and that the choice was wisely made
cannot be questioned
"Banished by the King" "a a piece OF
a a., fs In
what might aptly be called dramatic
hash In which the largest bits are culled
variously from Dumas immortal Three
Musketeers." Shakespeare's Macbeth"
and Kyrle Bellows great success "A
Gentleman OF France" Dramatic license
IL sorely strained and shamelessly over
worked.
The story is conventional. OF the lurid.
romantic type. Space will not permit OF
the telling OF 1t in detail or course
there is the lady OF high degree preyed
upon BY regular army OF INSCRIPTIONS
dukes counts and paid hirelinRs AS an
innovation this lady is FIRST introduced 10
the audience In her infancy. and the man
ner in which as n baby she stands deal
OF rough usage without n Sign OF a howl
prepares the audience for the remarkable
virtue and courage OF her maturer years.
Arrayeds against the force OF unprn-
cipled ruffians in defense OF the fortunes
OF the '1sdy OF high degree" stands Henri
Lagadare and a couple OF moro or less
trusty comrades This Lagadare Is the
whole thing He is UP 20 all kinds OF
tricks. though lighting IL his speciality He
stabs and strsngles his bloody way
through four stirring acts and we'll nigh
10 scenes and he Is equally skilled IN open
tactics and I'm subterfuge. Once IN
while as the story progresses II Is aggra-
waiting 20 note the persistent failure OF
the crafty villains to pierce the disguise
OF sleuth Legadare that n lively mix-up
might be pulled of.
The play is built up around series Of
fencing bouts and in the interest created
by the scrapping tho connecting thread
OF straggly story passes along practically
undisturbed by close study on the part
or the audience. II is conventional and
affords a plentious supply OF situations
where the only way out is tho way hewed
by the sword.
Thomas Shea is too old n favorite 10
need elaborate Introduction lie has
had long and widely VARYING eSuerience
upon the stage and IL goes without say
Ing that he proves adequate 20 the de-
mands OF such n strenuous role as that
OF Hen-i Lagadare
Mr. shea knows how 10 nasir n sword
In right merry fashion and he IL par
ticularly handy In getting the last nash
and tipping over the luckless cavalier that
dared cross blades with him lie ~ no
point overdoes his part and considering
tho nature of the role nothing more COM
mendatory could be said OF him.
The remainder of the compeny arc salts
factory and present p uniform degree ~
skill. The cavaliers and murderous
gentry on tho pay roll are 60 good that
they are hlssed roundly BY the gallery
and there sgain is praise beyond auee-
tlon The "nolselsss baby makes the
mos of small part
The female roles suffer In comparison
Nth the others They arc rot sdsauatslS
PLAYED and 81 all points much is 20 be