The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-16
At the - -
Theatres

Mr. James X. Hackett comes to the
Providence Opera House tonight in a
play entitled THE Fortunes Of the
King" by Mrs. c. A. Doremus and Leon
idas Westervelt, that has the unusual
quality OF being at once true 10 history
and distinctly dramatic In its construction
and romantic in feeling. The authors have
chosen as their hero, Charles Stuart, who
afterward became Charles II OF England.
and the play deals with his adventures
Immediately following the battle Of Wor-
cester. This page in English history Is
particularly interesting To all lovers OF
true romance and with but very few
changes from actual facts the story has
been mounted into stirring romantic
drama. In this particular line OF acting
Mr. Hackett has been eminently success
full and at the present time he has the
romantic field almost entirely 10 himself
He has surrounded himself with very
excellent company OF which Miss Char
lotte Walker for several seasons past as
sociated with Mr.. Hackett, Is the leading
lady The production as far ms scenery,
costumes and accessories are concerned.
is notably elaborate. and moreover II Is
accurate in every detail
The wholesome and beautiful air OF the
parsonage pervades the first act OF "A
Wifes Secret" the new emotional drama
which will be seen for the first time I'm
this city at the Empire theatre, following
the Rays In Down the Pike" "A Wife's
Secret" tells a beautiful story OF devotion
and fidelity. tempered with melodramtic
realism. and spced with rich humor and
brilliant comedy. Messrs. Spencer and
Aborn have given this new play splendid
scenic embellishment. II is said. as we'll
- nd Ind nj
excellence. The central role is played
by Miss Lansing Rowan, one OF the most
popular and talented emotional actresses
I'm America. Though one OF the youngest
actresses OF prominence, Miss Rowan,
has played over 100 different roles, rang
ing from Topsy to Juliet, and there IS
probably no artist on the stage today who
has won favor In greater variety OF
characters on the stage than she. Her
greatest success has been In dramatic
stock. that exscting school which de-
mands SO much and brings out all the
faults as well az the s~7orth OF a player
The role OF Monds Madison. the young
wife i'm N wife's Secret" was written
especially 10 NJ her personality, and it
has been voted her greatest success by
the press OF other cities. Miss Rowan II
surrounded by a most attractive array
of names prominent among whom are
Hallett Thompson. Ogden Stevens, Dan
iel Jarrett. j. Hoover Wright. Harry
Barton w. J. Ryley Helen Gurney. Ma
dine Winston and Dollie Ford.
Keith's. on Friday, was crowded 20 the
doors. for on that day and evening pa
irons OF the popular playhouse we're given
souvenir photographs Of Miss Chrystal
Herne. who s 10 be the next leading
woman OF the Albee Stock company. Miss
Herne. although still I'm her early pos
has had q professional career or which
many an older actress might be justi
fed In feeling proud. and she In conceded
10 DO one of the best OF the younger lead
ing women Of the American stage. Miss
Herne. who r. the daughter OF the late
James A. Hcrne and comes from long
line of actors of recognized position IN
the theatrical sphere or America, made
her debut with her father I'm "Grlrlth
Davenport" after which she appeared
with him I'm Sag iiarbor Her magnetic
personality and undcniable talents. es-
pocially ftting her for the emotional
work brought her p prominent position I'm
T. ~ Sotnern's company. playing the
player Queen I'm Hamlet" and later
Huegette I'm III ! Were Kpg She left
Mr. Sotherns company To play Dearest In
the big New York revival OF Little Lord
faunteroAs hIteT Whl'u NH' .dlNd'A'u
tho attention OF New YORK managers and
critics by her superb performance ~
Hippolyta I'm Nat Goodwins magnificent
production Of ~ Midsummer Nights
Dream" She then became leading woman
for Arthur BYRON in his brief starring
tour. az tho close % which shc was re-
engaged as Mr. Goodwin's ieadins woman
IN MY Wifes Husbands and the revival
~ "A Gildcd Fool" In which she shared
the bonors with Mr.. Goodwin This year