The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-01-24
EMPIRE THEATRE.

The pernicious activity OF a canting,
hypocriticaI sister OF a minister, In bring
ing trouble to the wife OF the clergyman
whom she has ever regarded as an inter
loper, is rather inseniously utilized by Hal
Read i'm his play. "A Wifes Secret"
which is the attraction at the Empire
this week II is chiefly through the work
OF this meddlesome old maid. assisted by
train Of circumstances OF which she
takes advantage, that causes the heroine
to be driven forth by her husband brand
ed as a thief and worse. and separated
from her child
Blackmailed by a sanctmonious sexton.
browbeaten by the old maid. ignored by
her husband and prosecuted by villain
Gus friend OF her youth, the minister's
! wife is pictured as passing through har-
rowing scenes, until on Christmas eve
she seeks refuge in the belfry Of her hus-
bands church during a terrible snow
storm.
When left alone by her faithful negress
for few moments. she is attacked by the
villain, Warren, and after a struggle,
grasps the bell rope and leaps far out OF
the steeple. Her minister husband is at
traCted TO the tower and rescues her lust
i'm time 20 turn the rascal who attacked
her over to the police, VINO want him for
a much worse crime--that of murder
The last scene shows the husbands
pleas for her TO forgive him and return
and the wife's determination to summon
him into court to retract the statements
lp adj IN "A har oils h..
complete vindication Her steadfast pur-
pose is shaken by the action OF the little
child who joins IN hands OF her par
ents and pronounces "a blessing upon their
reunion. lt Is a pretty scene and is a
fitting ending for what is perhaps the best
Of Mr.. Reds plays. and last nights
big audience went home well pleased
Aside from little incongruities between
the stage management and tho lines, as
for Instance. when an open French win
dow on Christmas day In New York city.
shows green fields and stone walls I'm the
distance; and when the newsboy saws
ITS showing hard" and many y snow.
flake Is seen. Il Is a very smooth per-
formlnce There are swear words used
occasionally. but they are so much TO
the point as to be forgiveable
Hallett Thompson make an interesting
and reposeful rector. but rises TO the
ENi'iaS S''tNS III Nllf NlfFnle ana luSt act.
As the drunkard father. Thomas Law
renee does some very good character
work, and David Edwin is acceptable as
the villainors George warren
Harry Sullivan handles the role OF the
ncwsboy, Dannie McGlynn. with ease.
Larry Mack. carrying the comedy
honors among the men as Jerry the COP.
and incidentally renders a couple Of capt
tai songs In Irish dialect j. Hooker
Wright sings the Palms and PLAYS the
part OF the hypocrate, Tobias Elworthy.
very well. In addition 20 running the
stage for the company.
Lansing Rowan. n slightly built. Titan
locked actress. something after the Carter
type. was equal TO tho emotional heights
densnded by her lines and won tho SYM
pathy of the mouse throughout the action.
As Priscilla Madison. Helen Gurney
made herself very dssgreeable 20 tho
characters on the stage. 0ut incidentally
performed IN cNcellcn, piece of character
work
Dolly Ford as Little Marie VAS win.
some and lotable, and Aunt Diisey Lee,