The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-25

/ 1.-the gkeatrey.'. !


hearty curtain calls given AT tne enu ~
each act we're not alone due 10 the friend
Illness OF the audience. but 10 the capital
performance given by the Albee company.
The new company seems stronger and
better than ever.
II is the policy OF Proprietor Albee TO
improve all the time and there Is no
doubt but that he las succeeded this sea
son, for there is positively not a flaw In
the entire organization and there has
never been a stock company In ProVi-
dence OF such high standard, The open
ing play Clyde Fitchs beautiful mill
tary romance Barbara Frietchie' was
an especially happy choice for an open
ing play for It gave excellent acting OPP
portunities and is a sure test or the
ability OF several OF the members OF the
company. The story. while based upon
Whittier's famous heroine or that name,
digresses from the supposed historical
fact and is decidedly one or the pest
plays Clyde Fitch has written I'm years.
II was superbly mounted by stage Di-
rector Winter. with elaborate and enect-
i've scenery, accurate costuming and an
augmented cast OF supernumeraries, VINO
had evidently been excellently drilled.
The performance moved with n snap
and smoothness which has become SO
characteristic OF Albee company perform
ances. that is now taken for granted by
local playgoers that the performance
OF this superior organization shall move
without a hitch. Miss Chrystal Herne,
the new leading woman OF the organiZa-
tion. appeared in the title role. and from
the very outset won the admiration and
commendation Of everyone. Miss Herne
is youthful and delightfully."- grish. with
a hower-like face and a graceful slender
ness. She has particularly pleasing
voice of timbre which makes n es-
pecially sympathetic. She played the
early coduettish scenes OF the play with
a delicacy and daintiness which was de
lightful and which contrasted sharply
with the emotional scenes later. In which
the girl. now developed into a woman.
risks all 20 save her lovers life. one
forgot that Miss Herne was acting and
the audience was swept before her ear
nest. heartrending grief There Is
penetrating magnetism and vitality about
Miss Herne. together with a grace and
sweetness OF manner which makes her
popularity with Providence playgoers an
assured fact
Mr. Gardner Crane. the new leading
man of the company gave depiction OF
the loyal plucky Capt. Trumbun. Bar
bara s northern lover that for artistic
excellence deserves the highest praise.
His soldierly bearing and dignity, 'and his
tenderness and sincerity In the love
scenes with Barbara. were finely por-
trayed and his whole performance was
marked by excellent shadtngs. Mr. Crane
is a fine looking excellent built young
man 81 the debonair type, and Il is
evident that he is equally at home in ro-
mantle and comedy work II the applause
accorded him last evening is any proof.
he is already established in the favor OF
Providence playgoers. who are pro-
verbally slow to show favor
Mr.. Frank Losee. one of the most popu-
lar actors who ever appeared with the
Albee company, was given vociferous
greeting. which kept the play AT stand
stlll for at least two minutes and left
no doubt as 10 the genuineneSs OF the
esteem and favor I'm which he Is held.
He appeared as Mr.. Fretchie, the stern,
tyrannical father OF Barbara. As usual,
Mr. Losee got more than face value out
Of the part. his Incompatible intelligence
and finish making his one OF the most
emphatic successes OF the entire even
ing of successes.
Mr. Orme Caldara, whose re-engage-
meht gave such hearty pleasure TO every
one was also given a rousing greeting.
He appeared as Arthur Frietchfe, and
played IN a manly. clean-cut manner that
was deserving OF the most enthusiastic
praise Miss Helen Remer who was a
member OF the original Alhee company.
and has each year grown I'm popularity,
was affectionately welcomed. and hur
every word o. action brought forth an
expression OF approval from the audience
She appeared as the old darky, Nanny
Lu and gave n touch OF genuine humor
To the portrayal which throbbed with
true-to-life faithfuness.
Miss Myrtle May, the new ingenue or
the company. had n role Of minor i'm
portance as Sue Royce. Barbara's chum.
but she brought out all IT'S points with
a nicely OF expression and a pduant, fas-
cinating little manner which quite won
the hearts Of everyone. Evidently Miss
May is TO be a big favorite.
Miss Jane Rivers one OF the favorites
OF last seasons Albee company, came in
for q generous share OF the warm greet
ings OF the evening. Miss Rivers. as
Mrs Hunter. was az her best and gave
one OF the best OF many excellent depic-
tions she has ever given on the Keith
stage Her work was studied and effect
I've and hers must he reckoned as one OF
the emphatic hits OF the evening Miss
Mabel Carruthers, a newcomer to the
company. was given a royal greeting, for
she is we'll known socially In Providence.
Miss Carruthers had but little TO do. but
she gave a charming delination OF Sally
Neglev. the southern girl friend Of Bar
hara's. She has an especially beautiful
voice which she modulates delightfully."-,
and makes one wish Il were heard oftener
and makes one look forward 10 seeing her
In more prominent role.
one OF the distinct hits OF the evening
was that scored by that sterling young
actor Mr. Foster Lardner. who was evil
IDENTIFY remembered with pleasure by play