The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-05
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE.

I
Gineyra Miss Ruth Barry
Franseca Bentiyoglio. Miss Mabel Dubois
Fiordelisa .................Mi Miss Alice Lonnon
Brigitta .................Mi Miss Rose Beaudet
At the Proidence Opera House for tho
week. Mr.. r. s. Willard I'm a round OF
plays. including some Of his old favorltes,
as follows Tonight and tomorrows
matinee. tom Pinch" from Dickins'
Martin Chuzzlewitt". tomorrow night.
David Garrick," by Robinson, preceded
by "A curtain raiser, "a Silent Woman
Thursday night, THE Brighter Side new
10 the Willard repertory: Friday night
and Saturday matinee, THE Professor
Love story the engagement closing
Saturday night with Mr.. Wizards best
known production, The Middeman,' by
Henry Arthur Jones.
The week was opened last evening by
q production of that classic. picturesque
horror by Tom Taylor. The FOOLS Re
yengc" which has been recently added TO
Mr.. WillaGd's rcpertory.
IL was filled-up-full house that greeted
! Mr. willard, and II followed the perform
auCe with the concentrated interest that
the play. with all its ancient flavor, ir-
resistibly commands when an actor OF
the talent the experience. the sincerity,
ducng again the intense and hugely con-
icting motives and emotions Of Bertuccio,
tho tester-one OF the idols OF the emo
tional actor. At the close Of the.perform-
ance the audience, which had been warm
I'M its applause at the climaNes of the two
preceding acts. Toso 10 Mr.. willard, the
crowded gallery whistling with it's fingers
at him and the parquet barely withhold
ing a straight out-aud-out hurrah for him.
Both because IL is an exceptionally ef-
feCtive character part and because 10
sounds deep into the primitive emotions.
the Fool appeals strongly 10 the SYM
pathy Of an audience. although nowadays
II is necessary that he be interpreted with
both distinction and great carefulness,
since his setting IL somewhat removed
from modern stage standards. while. at
the same time II is not OF a kind suffi-
clently elevated TO declare it's own stand
ard. At some OF the points where the
emotions 10 be demonstrated are OF the
simplest. purest and strongest. the dia-
logue gives but feeble support with It's
stll1ed- phrases The numerous "asides, >"
which proved so helpful 10 the dramatists
OF other days. are so decidedly out OF the
current fashion that unless there Is some
thing more worth while 10 them than Just
10 serve as a crutch TO the playwright
they are rather n disturbance TO the illu-
sion Of a modern audience.
preston of the character OF the ,4Tool"
and that part of the vehicle thereof pro-
yided by the dialogue seemed TO be espe-
cially strongly in evidence last evening i'm
the scene OF the interview between Ber-
tuccio and his daughter There were
moments during the scene where Mr..
Willard failed to convince, where the illu-
sion OF the characterization became Sus-
pended and at moments threatened to fall.
It t. a trying scene with possibilities OF
the highest triumph, even I'm compassion
with what follows. The line to be drawn
between what must be visibly and audibly
expressed and waat must be left to the
wit and Imagination OF the audience is
often particularly fine one and the pain
fully drawn-out dialogue doesn't assist the
subtleties OF the situation by a long shot.
In a rendering of the classic Fool" that
was remarkably fine at nearly all points,
and that was notable for n myriad OF
choice touches Mr. Willard seemed 10
slip his effects and falter I'm convincing
quality during this scene. And it is men
toned here because IL T. the first instance
In all Mr. Wizards repertory that this
reviewer has ever been made to feel that
this actor ever let go OF or fell out of a
part. for an instant
In nothing that he interprets does the
mobile face and the finely strung voice
Of Mr.. Willard seem to prove of greater
value. Witness the extremes OF the
typical Jester I'm the opening scene ana
the horrlned. enraged, despairing father
Of the last scene. upon discovering that
his revenge has been turned against him!
For sheer play OF voice and feature. with
no suspicion that they are subject 10 any
other promptngs but the emotions ex-
pressed. Mr.. Wizards 8 Fool" is a rare
study OF the actors art through all the
varying scenes.
The supporting company this season Is
adequate. 10 Judge from last evening
performance Miss Alice Lonnon. Mr.
Wizards leading lady. is physically pretty
and dainty possessed OF a sympathetic
voice and an exceedingly graceful stage
presence. The small part that Is called
for I'm Tho Fools Revenge" she filled
simply and effectively
The scenic equipment OF The Fools
Revenge" was excellent. contributing ma
terially To create the atmosphere OF the
period and places where such atrocious
performances as are depicted I'm la Rol
: S'Amuse" may be believed TO have been
possible Particularly effective and fine
was the exterior. showing the house and
neighborhood of Malatesta, where the
duke and his fellows go on tho raid that
marks the chief incident OF the play
KCITti,c TlIrlTOr