The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-22
EMPIRE THEATRE.

For about two hours and half last
night the large audience that filled the
Empire theatre was transported bodily
TO the alkaline plains OF Arizona, where
amid adobe shacks, corrals, cowpunchers
ard United States troops II revelled In
an exciting series OF adventures and were
sympathetic witnesses OF the unfolding
OF three sharply contrasted. yet alto
gether charming love stories. In lieu
or the magic carpet of the Arabian
Nights. the vehicle on which this remark
able journey was accomplished was Au-
gustus Thomas powerful play OF life in
the southwest. Arizona" as played by
the capable company that Melville Il.
Raymond has gathered. and when the
audience was returned or rather when II
was awakened to the consciousness that
n was in a building on Westminster
street and not In front OF Canby's ranch
house I'm the Arivapia Valley. Arizona,
there was not one that was sorry
that the trip had been taken or who
not be glad 10 take IL again.
The story OF Arizona" though Il may
be familiar 20 many is one OF absorbing
interest end Is well worth rehearsing
Briefly. II deals with the love AFFAIR OF
gallant lieutenant I'm the United States
cavalry for the daughter OF q ranchnan.
and though the girl one OF the most
lovable characters I'm any play. learns
10 care for the young soldier. trouble
comes through the intrigue OF low
minded captain with the wife OF his
colonel. which the junior officer discovers
and prevents from working wrong 10 the
post commander
During his efforts 20 straighten the
tangle which he stumbled upon. the
young officer Is discovered I'm a position
which his chief can only construe as
compromising TO his wife, or as an in
dication OF the subalterns dishonesty.
and matters are further complicated by
the insidious lies OF the captain.
Lieut. Denton. to save the woman. takes
the responsibility and has to resign his
commission. going to Canby's ranch
where he becomes the major domo
Because of the cloud under which he
was when he left the army Denton can
not bring himself 10 speak OF his feel
ing toward Bonita. until the girl who has
learned 20 truly love him demands an
explanation as II is her right and then.
follows a pretty love scene that must
be Witnessed TO he appreciated The
shooting OF the rascally captain by Tony
Mostano who loves the little German
girl the officer ruined. further comp!icates
matters for Denton. who is. of course
charged with the crime AS having the
greatest motive. court martial fol-
lows. during which Denton is acquitted
and the Mexican after an intensely dra-
matte recital OF the manner I'm which he
killed the captain. makes his escape as
sisted by the cowboys on the ranch
Denton Is restored 10 his own again
ana starts out with his regiment to fight
the Spaniards In Cuba
As has been previously stated the en-
tire company IL an excellent one but
Francis NJ. Ban Is a capable Denton. his
work showing very well In comparison
with others who, have appeared On tho
part II would be hard indee 10 i-naQ,ne
more winsome Bonita that the o-e por
trayed by Miss Alma Bradley. and shc
handled the delicious little scenes with
Denton with skill and fidelity TO ma
ture that made her n prime favorite al
once
Joseph Green is the Henry Canbv and
he certainly gets all there is In that part
making q distinct hit In the scene whore
Denton declares his Intentions to wo4
his daughter Both John r Burke. as
Col Bonhan and Mlss Idn Hamilton "a
his wife were very good. the latter hand
ling the difficult situations IN her part
with ease and successfully avoiding tho
many opportunities to over act.
Charles r. Graham was the Sorgt KEEL
lar and was the veteran German soldier
10 tho life while Ruth HAYES was n,ess-
Ing as his daugher. Lena
Perhaps the most popular charac,er ~,
the play was tho Mexican. Tony Moetono
played bv Escamillo Fernando. ana bis
broken English luterlarded with "r,fs,
words used nnocently enough. with the
Inevitable cigarette between his Inns was
sure 10 be greeted with continued an
plause on each entrance Last night tho
scene where the captain Is shot received
nearly ? dozen curtain calls. 80 enthu-
riastic ala the audience become
Arizona" win remain hero tho bot,,r..
OF the week with the usual natineos
and crowded houses are expected
Next week. "a Man of the World