The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-04


for the past season In New York 10 au-
dences that tested the capacity OF the
Majestic theatre at every performance,
will be seen at the Providence Opera
House the last three nights of the present
week matinee Saturday. The new specta-
Gle abounds I'm wonderful stage effects
that are said TO eclipse anything ever
seen i'm this country. One marvel of
stagecraft I'm THE Wizard OF Oz" is the
Transformation at the end OF the first act,
in which field OF poppy flowers in full
bloom are metamorphosed through
change Of seasons from summer to WIN
ter. This novel transformation is the in
vention of Stage Manager Julian Mitchell,
whose reputation as producer guaran-
tees that THE Wizard OF OF" will he
something unique and enchanting. One
OF the leading New York critics de-
scribed the beautiful poppy scene In the
following glowing terms. This scene"
he writes. rs as perfect and as harmoni-
Gus az the rainbow. The stage Is dark at
first, and then we see rain falling gently,
and through the rain we discern family
at first field OF gorgeous poppy
flowers OF gigantic size. The rain
ceases the sun rises. golden glow
fills the atmosphere and emphasizes the
scarlet of the flowers which now raising
their heads In the grateful sunshine are
discovered to be young and graceful wom-
en- Then the shadow falls, darkness
covers the scene and the snow comes
down, and when light breaks again the
flowers are wilted and withered and we
find ourseles In the heart OF winter. Too
much praise can hardly be given 10 Julian
Mitchell who conceived this picture in
his imagination, nor to the celebrated
artist. Walter Burridge, who made II ac-
tual"
There are at least half a dozen stage
pictures in 1.-The Wizard OF OF that are
equally beautiful and unique.
e.
David Higgins, who Il coming I'm Janu-
airy to the Empire, theatre with his wife,
Miss Virginia Waldron, I'm Mr. Higgins
latest play His Last Dollar" Is one OF
the few players who have made a success
OF starring their own plays. He Is al
most alone In the completeness OF his sue
cess, for singularly enough, the average
actor Is utterly unable 10 Judge the worth
OF one of his own plays. let alone that
of n play written by another. There
seems to be something In their nearness
to the subject that dwarfs their percep-
ton and makes them unable to realize the
defects OF the work.
Mr.. Higgins. has written number OF
plays. as many another actor has also
done. but most OF his have been successes
Ridge" pastoral tale in which he APP
peared al the Empire. among other thea
tres, as waif found In the Tennessee
mountains, grown to be a manly man. He
followed this with York State Folks" ="
which was generally recognized as an ex-
cellent rural drama and which had some
considerable success. His Last Dollar
differs from each of these although re-
sembllng them greatly in being filled with
interest Mr.. Higgins methods as an
actor are quiet and he relies for effect
mainly on appeals to the intellect. He is
probably one OF the best OF our younger
actors.
wife I'm Name Only Is the title of
the play that is to follow "A working
Girls Honor at the Park theatre. OPEN
ing the new season OF melodrama- II is
as would be judged from the title, play
of the heart interest" type and one that
has been well received elsewhere