The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-10-10

that way. though we do not share Mr..
Hitchcock's confidence In the matter %
his aspirations In Easy Dawson he
has a Sol Smith Russell. or John Z.
Raymond sort OF a play-and. by the way,
he reminds you OF the latter actor very
strongly in look and method. And In this
connection. perhaps. he may be somo KIN
OF the only John T.. since Raymond Is
his Christian name.
The title character OF this seasons play
covers all the range from low comedy 10
true comedy although In the transition
stage there IL OF necessity the larger
supply OF the former rating Here and
there though, there are situations and
speech Of great earnestness. of real
human feeling of pathos-and Mr.. Hitch
cock does them with a sense and senti-
ment that indicate pretty clearly that.
II that sort OF thing is what he is striv-
ing for, there Is no doubt that he viii
be able TO produce them just az rapidly
as his audiences will get educated TO ac-
cept them from him.
Taken as whole. however, both the
play and the title character are "A sheer
laugh. Last nights audiences was kept
I'm merry movement all the way from In
ceSsant snickers TO loud laughter. All
the more notable was IL. accordingly. as
a significant sign OF Mr.. Hitchcocks
deeper powers than when he dropped into
slncerer mood he quickly switched his au-
dience and got them with him so that the
house fell into the silence of strained
interest and real feeling and touch
more would have drawn tear at several
points along the line.
IL was "A capital performance. Easy
Dawson" az produced by Mr.. Hitchcock
and a company or great excellence Is n
successful fun maker Viewed on the as
sumption that we have made. IL was fur
thermore especially interesting. And "
we have guaged the temper OF last night :
audience with Approximate correctness
we should say that. while the production
was a mighty good entertainment all
through end was vastly enjoyed, the first
two acts where the svmpathies OF the
audience were aroused I'm the character of
Dawson and the spontaneous laugh was
a response TO the essential humor OF a
consistently drawn IL sometimes extrava-
giant characterization, the enjoyment
thereof was by far the greater than re-
suited from that part OF the perform
ance whore Mr.. Hitchcock reverted to
his comic specialties, his dancing and
burlesque. opportunity for which was
provided in the last act as "A seemingly
necessary concession To the theatre going
sentiment which could probably not be
depended upon TO accept this burlesquer
I'm a new role all at once. The spontan-
eous applause. however. that endorsed the
play found it's speech-demanding cli-
max at the close OF a scene that was al
most melodramatic and was certainly far
removed from the merry Andrew antics
that have given Mr.. Hitchcock his dis
tinction I'm the past.
Anybody who wants a laugh or, not
feeling the need may yet feel that a
laugh il a good thing for the health. and
So may want 10 go somewhere whore they
can't help laughing. may safely rely upon
visit 10 Easy Dawson" 10 secure that
same. Mr. Hitchcock Is a positively ir-
resistihlc laugh maker and the play af-
fords him spontaneous opportunity. He
Always was captivating fellow To watch
and listen to.
Even in burlesque makeup. his engag
ing individuality could not be quite con-
cealed. AS himself. he II a genuine mirth
provoker. lie has a marvelously agreea-
bic speaking voice. a nonchalant manner
that Is very fetching and he laughs him
self in n fashion 20 stretch wide the
mouths OF every one OF the spectators I'm
unconscious mimlcry of his own expan-
sive smile Amectation and self-con-
sciousness do not appear 20 exist I'm the