The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-18

the eyes and ears OF a musical comedy
audience as well as OF that indeterminate
class OF theatregoers which over wrought
and feVerish criticism loves 10 drool OF
as the discriminating and cultured.
We are told much in these days OF the
prevalence OF the higher criticism" in
dramatic things OF the ways OF the good
old days In the things dramatic-the
olden and golden days that Raymond
Hitchcock sings about In the Yankee
ConsuP-a bit OF work. itself. that the
discriminating and the cultured rush To
see albeit they are lost I'm the crowd ~
plain every day seekers for harmless
amusement Nothing is as It used to
be" walls the young lover OF culture.
as he dips his discriminating pen in the
Ink Of the higher criticism and prates Of
the sort or plays that he says. large as
well as select audiences used 20 patronze
before he was born-and OF which. of
course, he knows a great deal about.
The historic fact that this most beau
ttul dramatic poem, "A Blot in the
'Scutcheon," did not appeal more strong
ly 10 the theatregoers of n past genera
ton or two than IL would be thought. las.
10 do TO the uncultured masses Of the
present day. is OF itself a very impressive
answer 10 the oft t-prated assertion that
the latter are lacking in the due apprecia
tion Of a good thing that so marked the
theatre-gonig public when our elders were
younger Culture" and discrimination"
on the evidence OF the life and public
service OF this Browning drama. must
have been ever rare for fifty years. We
doubt II IL has ever been acted I'm this
country by any conspicuous company Of
professional artists such as appeared al
the Providence Opera house yesterday af-
ternoon and evening in it's complete form.
produced a version Of IL. The leading
part, II we may be permitted TO use the
term in association with a real Browning
poem, just fitted Barrett-like a fine
glove. We believe the play was written
for Macready-from which IL would ap-
pear that Browning. the immortal. was
not averse 10 writing a real poem
around an actor any more than our
own mortal and neshly and unpoetic Clyde
Fitch or George AIDE does--even in the
days when as We arc told. culture and
discrimination were the whole thing in
drama. Even so. the theatre going pub
lic large portion Of IL. preferred for
steady patronage things like BOX and
Cox" I'm those good old days.
1t Is n Hf4e thing. nevertheless. for some
body like Mrs. LeMoyne to gather around
her company of choice players and give
us the treat that was enjoyed yesterday
afternoon and evening. Elocutionist and
actress Of fine talent. Mrs. LeMoyne was
impressive and every member
of the little force gave sincere and capa-
bic rendering to the chocely written and
beautifully flowing lines of the poet
excellent portrayals Of the absorbingly
interesting characterizations of the poets
fancy profound reflections OF the psyche
logical and emotional effects which the
poet so successfully develops in his .cin-
tillating dction Best OF all. perhaps.
was the study OF Gerald by Mr. Hamn-
ton. Mr. Beach was a strong and sym-
pathetic Thorold. Mr.. Albaugh a really
youthful and lovable Mertoun and Miss
Elliston a DELIGHTFULLY."- sweet and girlish
Mildred. The scenic equipment was
catch-ali