The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-11
EMPIRE THEATRE.

Few plays have enjoyed the popularity
OF IN Ola Kentucky" which comes next
week 10 the Empire theatre. II is now IN
its twelfth season and has been as sue
cfssful rs ever despite the fact that It
started in 1892 II holds the attendance
record Of the Empire theatre and is
stronger and better now than ever before
tec8use II has been the policy Of Manager
Jacob Lit 10 give the play the best
mounting and the best company possible
each season and to leave nothing undoue.
The plckaninnies whose romps and sports
singing and dancing, and whose playing
ir the famous "Whangdoodle Band" have
reused laughter and interest each season
are funnier and better than ever this
year, because there are more OF them and
they have been carefully selected from all
pa rte az the southland
The story Is interesting and while peo-
pie here arc familiar with the story--at
least tho major portion OF them are-but
a brief description may not be out Of
pace. The first act discloses Madge Brier-
lys cottage I'm the Kentucky mountains.
n huge set which occupies the entire stage
and Is built up rom the footlights 10 the
highest point the eye can reach from the
audience ono can see high up among the
trees the cottage Of Madge. who secures
her own protection from the outer world
b.. a drawbrldge over yavnine chasm.
II IS here that the hero. Frank Layson, IL
rearly shot by jealous rival here whore
the rivals for Madge's love endeeVor 10
throw each other over the precipice and
here whore en- attempt Is made 10 blow
Frank up with dynamite Madge saves
him 10y fearlessly swinging across
the Eulf by means OF a rope when the
dlawbrdge fails her and throwing the
bomb into the chasm. There is n thrilling
spectacle AZ the explosion skaters the
walls Of the gorge and tears up the
ground
III, next act discoses a picture OF
Frank Layson's blue grass home and the
hom, OF Queen Bess,' a mare that Is to
run for the Ashland oaks at the Lexlng
ton races. In this scene appear the pickan-
innies They are real pickantnnies and
their singing, dancing, grotesque comedy
and general hilarity delight and amuse
thu audience The pickaninny brass band
In also introduced and under the leader
ship OF Uncle Neb give a rehearsal OF the
music they intend to play later at the
I.C Xington track when queen Bess"
&C mes home under the wire This act ends
With an attempt on the part Of the villain
20 burn the stable and Queen Bess in II,
bu. the latter In rescued from the burning
building I'm the nick Of time by the noun
tnjn girl Madge In the third act are Ave
scores. among them the interior and ex-
terror OF the Lexington running track
Tie hero will De ruined unless Queen
Pess wins the Ashland oaks. and. as the
Jockey II drunk. Madge again comes TO
the rescue ny donning full Jockey costume
and riding the mare TO victory This
scene 81 full OF excitement, especially
when the thoroughbreds come under the
wire with Queen Bess in the lead. ridden
in splendid style by the plucky little
Nudge The cheers OF the stage crowd in
the grandstand are emphasized by the en-
tiusiastic shouts OF the audience. The
play abounds in excellent comedy and IL
wonderfully brisk In action.
An opportunity to win gold prize with
or expenditure will be given Thursday
night when a special buck aud wing dane
ing contest will be held. Entries may be
made at the box office at any time and
the contest ~ open TO all and IL free. there
being no entry fee
A special st. Patrck's day matinee will
bs given Friday afternoon at the usual
matinee prices.