The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-10-03

produced by the late Klrke La shelle. and
presented by a company of really un-
usual excellence headed By Mr.. Guy Bates
Post
The play is called an American"
comedy. Which. on acquaintance. IS
found 10 mean n time honored theme OF
universal availability I'm a setting OF
American stmosphere-an atmosphere and
characterization that are distinctively
American.
The theme is as old as social existence
and civilization. II Is a fundamental and
has served 10 make many a pretty play
for the stage. In seeking To give II an
American" environment. the author has
chosen the unique and only men OF the
prairie for his principal personages rather
than the men OF the cities. since the lat
ter are thAA same all the world around.
whether they he men Of the society OF
New York. Chicago. London. Paris or
Berlin. But the western miner and the
cowboy are typicslly American and their
counterpart is not TO be found anywhere
else I'm the world. Hence. there IL no
confusion as 10 local color Tho Heir
20 the Hoorah" Is strictly and wholly
American"
In history in prose. poetry and tho
drama. America. in the few centuries of
its existence has newly furnished many
as the new has relished the old old
stories as told by the new writer's with
the setting OF the scenes OF the now world
10 give them effect and their peophng
from the various classes that make up the
population In American country. village
and city That there still remains now
material from which 10 provide such new
furnishing for the old themes is demon
strated by She happy success OF such a
IL.
though. I'm such environments as arc
afforded in the more thickly settled COM
munties. human nature would hardly OK
press itself I'm q way 10 distinguish IL
notably from what would be found In
other countries and populations OF od.fres-
ent race and tongue.
Accordingly. Mr. Armstrong Is trum-
phsnt In taking tho old theme of the
estranged husband and wife reunited
through the medium OF The prattling child
and demonstrating the effect ANA logical
development OF such condition among
men OF the raw and vigorous typo OF tho
western plains-a type. by the way. which
will itself be hardly available. q genera
ton hence. for dramatic purposes other
than the historical" romance. For this
type, too is rapidly being assnlilated.
absorbed and lost Ia the madc-ovcr sort
OF man. who is hardly typical OF any
one country. but IS a cosmopolitan
being common TO all races developed
above certain level OF civilization.
The story is always good one. n safe
reliance for commanding the sympathy
OF an audience. But in working Il out
IN its new setting tho author has missed
no advantage 90 utilize that setting 10
make the original gem newly and delight
fully brilliant The play fairly sparkles
Whereas. the old theme In the old way
was writ 20 compel little else but tears
through four OF FIVE acts In "The Heir
20 the Hoorah." the author utllizes his
chosen environment and characterization
20 command unstinted laughter. through
which toe dear old pathetic story runs
like gentle rivulet Instead of comedy
touching OF pathos Nr Armstrong gives
US pathos as n dlghtful touch 20 comedy
thus making his play true comedy. ace
cording to the best definition IL reminds
you OF one of Bret Hartos cxutorant
fancies. wherein the hlmor ahounds. bat
only 10 nring out the sweetness and the
tearness OF It the moro prominently by
the contrast. Instead OF q dcspairinR
thriller. YOU have light and graceful
comedy. with the pathos Of the theme
sinking All the deeper into YOU by reason
OF the good hearty laugh. in tho midst 90
which the eyes mo'sten.
Tho birth of the heir TO tho Hoorah
brings together again the couple VINO nave
been estranged as they were married. by
the not dlsinterested efforts OF the girls
mother she Is represented as an eastern
society giri-he. rough and ready miner.
In their cstrangement the hero's men
friends. miners. prospcctors COW pinchers
and the Ike. stand by him riotously
against the silk stocking SET and the
women particularly. with no exception IN
favor OF the wife. herself unhappy enough
nj the separation 70 IL crGde and
incorporating loyalty that these rough
chaps demonstrate for one OF their own
Fortunately. there are tactful women folk
IN the story. who arc loyal 10 both the
prlnciDals ard they. together WITH the
hsby. succeed in overcoming the great
and often rirth- provoking difficulties ~
undoine the wrong that the ve-y loyal'y
~ the heros rough companions tends 20
sccenfua,e-as for instance. when they
plan reception and the presentsiion -