The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-20
EMPIRE THEATRE.

If there was any doubt as to the way
the Providence people regarded Miss
Kathryn Purnell during last summers en-
gagement, last nights reception of the
the clever little actress effectually dis
PEELED II. as she received a warm ovation
ON her first entrance as star In "A Great
Temptation that was continued for sew
eral moments
She bowed her smiling acknowledgements
or the enthusiastic reception and received
several bouquets over the footlights In
"A manner that did not interfere with the
action OF the thrilling play in which she
was the central figure.
She appears in the role of Cicily Will
loughby. daughter of an old planter with
% snGh passion for gambling that he is
Wiling 70 sacrifice everything including
his life to crafty It, II IL needless to
say that she gets all there is possible
in the part and despite the restrictions
cast by a play Of rather indifferent con-
structon has the sympathy Of the audi
ence from the first.
Most OF the characters are low and
sordid. the play being laid down in the
times when gambling was a part of the
social life OF tue Mississippi steamers and
at the climax of the first act there is
game IN which two or three cold decks
oI cards are rung In beside the passing
OF necessary cards under the table
The stake Is plantation containing a
iedd nine which conspirators have Just
Luncoed the Old planter out Of and a
gentienan gambler, Don Spencer, who
fung IN one Of the cold decks and drew
ms missing ace from the discards. wins
out, assisted by pair o sniny pistols
he gambler. by the is the hero
oI the play. being Undue % reform his
wicked ways through the lnlluence of Miss
Ctcily and though the lives of both OF
them are endangered many times the
plentiful use OF pistols and guns brings
,hem through unscathed and il ends hap
PLY amidst the cheers OF the gallery boys.
There are two romances that develop
simultaneously with the leading charac-
ters,. the interested parties being a couple
OF colored servants and gilded youth and
a lively girl whose training had not been
OF the best. number of incongruities
management which however, pass unno-
uCed in the midst OF the lively action
which Is very strenuous at times. tie
hero picking up his bed and jabbing a
hole in door with 1t in one scene and
the heroine poling hole in brick wall
i'm another.
Albert McGovern handles the role of the
gambler with skill and wins applause
second only to Miss Purnell Edwin Nor
ris makes an effectual villain as the man
driving mate OF a Mississippi steamer,
while w. Jeff Murphy as Hugh Guthrie
has a companion part Of a more polished
type
/. Bruce Richardson does some very good
comedy work as Gideon, the steamers
steward, and Lucy Parker as a colored
auntie OF considerable temper aids I'm
making laughter.
Clarence Chase is acceptable in the ju-
venile role OF Pugin and Emma italia is
correspondingly good as Ella James
AS Inez Jaines, a wronged woman, Allie
Haltord does very good work and rises
TO the occasion when situation requires
Harry Bates appears as the man subject
10 the Great Temptation" gambling and
though his part is far from being iikable
he handles IL acceptably.
The other members OF the cast were
capable and will he seen In this piece
today and Saturday and on Wednesday
night will appear in Nell Gwynne.'