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

At the providence opera House for the
balance OF the week, with matinee tomor-
row, Mr.. James O'Nein's farewell to
Monte Cristo." Popular prices prevail.
Mr.. Joseph Jefrerson's rip Van
Wrinkle" Mr. Frank Mayo's "Davy Crock
ett," Mr.. ONeilrs Monte Cristo. be
side these memories, Mr.. Denman Thomp-
sons Josh Whitcomb and Miss Phoebe
Davis Anna Moore" seem positively kid
dish I'm their adolescence.
Ii Is not the least curious OF the many
curious phenomena associated with Stage
life that. after "A play has endured so long
that IL seems as though II would never
exhaust the popularity that is its life,
IL suddenly ceases 10 be. OF modern i'm
stance alone RIP" lasted as long as
jefferson did.
That was undoubtedly due, however 10
the intimate fellowship which audiences
came TO have with the actor himself, as
the seasons rolled on. rather than to any
everlastingly enduring merits Of the play.
The late Frank Mayo. a superb actor and
"Davy Crockett" reached a period when
theatregoers grew neglectfu OF the play
while at the same time for many years
they refused to accept the actor In any
other part and both had to quit the stage
together
Mr. O'Neill IL personally and intimately
identified with Dumas romantic figure OF
Monte Cristo." 1t is the sort OF part
dear TO the heart OF an actor OF sympathy
and temperament and It does not stale I'm
It's attractivcness. although. after surviv-
Ing many, many changes OF fashion I'm
plays. the archaic vehicle for exploiting |
the diverting adventures Of Edmond |
Dantes may some day pail on audiences. |
melodfamAtIc az II Is, mat 7
loes not constitute any ground for Its |
apse Of holding power for. down deep, |
audiences dearly love the melodrama. But |
wen melodrama iswritten so differently In
hese days that nothing short OF the
Classics In the older style can be safely /
counted on TO serve 10 fetch an audience
nowadays So. perhaps, It is time to say
arewell TO Monte Cristo." though II is
nconceivable that we should for many
easons 10 come be called upon TO say
arewell TO an actor of the rich and thor
ughly ripened powers OF Mr.. O'Neill.
1t was the same Monte Cristo' that
We saw last evening that we have seen
md sympathiZed and rejoTced with many. +
many times-that. IL ia said, Mr.. OMEN !
las played more than Ave thousand times.
Actors OF the male variety seem never 10 |
yrow old. Edmond Dantes was as youth
ul. as thoroughly the big sailor boy. I'm
luction as he ever was in his life II
more make up may nave been required |
% protect the illusion, there was com
in the later scenes when as
( imprisonment and suffering the years
II Imprisonment and suffering, the eyars
" his natural self only contributed TO
he flavor of the Characterization. The
haracter never was made 10 appeal more
tronsly or more convincingly in its halo
Il high romance. while In the delivery of
he lines the richness OF this talented ar
lists voice and his splendid elocution were
rare treat.
The production Is mounted sumptuously
p the good old way with the thrilling
Gene OF the whole spectacle at the close
Act IL. when Dantes rises from the
eething waters OF canvass and declares
hat the world is hs-a climax that
rought down the house in the same old
Tay too.