The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-09
At the y y
Theatres
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.
EltCli ltdl
engineers.

William H. Crane I'm Business Is Bust
ness adapted from the French by Rob
ert Hichens, opened a series Of three
evening performances and matinee at the
Opera House last evening .
Every theatregoer has always associ-
ated Mr.. Crane with comedy OF the hap
piest kind. but he was seen here last night
In a piece that was anything but n
comedy, yet II served 10 show and
clearly that he is capable OF something
else than being funny and his interpre-
tation OF a serious and undoubtedly diff
cult role was as cleverly done as many Of
his comedy lines.
The character OF Isidore Lechat taken
by Mr.. Crane is one that will
not appeal affectionately TO any
audience yet at the same time it
will prove a study TO them, showing just
what might take place with a man who
has no other seemingly, consideration in
life than business and money, how II
stunts his better nature. causes the most
strained relations between he and his
family ana utterly crushes out any nat
ural milk OF kindness that might possibly
have ever flowed in his veins
IL Is a cheerless plaY--in truth there Is
not one single comedy line I'm the three
acts, yet even with this drawback II is
from many points OF view n strong piece
and might prove n sermon to some bus-
ness men, who have a leaning toward an
"all business" career. The first two acts
bring out the personal characteristics of
the various\ characters, particularly
those OF Isidore Lechat and his daughter.
Germaine and in the third and last act
the only real dramatic situation takes
place when Lechat endeavors 10 force a
marriage upon his daughter and at which
she rebels, at the same time telling her
-. Al.
whom she loves and who proves TO be a
young employe OF her father whom he
has befriended. stormy scene takes
place and the daughter leaves the home
with the curses OF her father upon her.
Then comes the news that his son has
been killed in an auto accident and this
news completely crushes Lechat for "A
time and the piece ends by scene be-
tween him and two promoters, which
demonstrated the character of the man
and showing that even In the hour OF
deepest trouble his business instincts rise
supreme.
Ii is i'm the last act where Mr.. Crane
shows the full force OF his artistic ability
and the emotions displayed by him dur
ing the interview with his daughter and
his grief later at the death of his son are
both intensely dramatic, and called for
much praisey Miss Katherine Grey was
for a time inclined TO be bit STACEY, but
redeemed herself wholly later I'm the scene
with her father and rose to the occasion
in a commendable manner.
Miss Harriet Otis Dellanbaugh. as Nine.
Isidore I.echat. interpreted her lines in a
clever way showing how wealth complete
ly crushed out any real feeling for her
children until misfortune and death en-
tered into her life, which caused a
change.
The part Of Marquis de Porcellet taken
nv Harry St Maur. while not a large one
was taken I'm an artistic manner and not
overdone.
Az in all Mr. Crane has scored sue
cess I'm business Is Business and while,
as has been said Il is not a cheerful piece
II has a moral II not plot and gives a
vivid picture OF man whose life Is q
huge mistake rendered so by the greed
for money. money.