The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-06

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Next Wednesday evening Malcolm Will
llama and the Providence Dramatic Stock
company will celebrate the 3oOth perform
arcc OF that popular stock organization
al the Imperial. Not for over 80 years or
since the old stock company played at the
Providence Opera House has a first class
orgLniza ton of it's kind played such a
long season in this city. The constantly
incres ssing patronage Of the Imperial Is
an eloquent testimonial to the growing
popularity which this unusually capable
company is gaining among theatregoers
I'm this vicinity. In commemoration of the
seth performance each lady present next
Wednesday evening will receive SOU
vCnir costing much more than any ever
given away in this city. These souvenirs
CO r.sist Of jewelry and bijouterie such as
gold chain bracelets, brooches and orna-
nertal hairpins, specimens OF which will
be or exhibition in the foyer OF the thea
tire These articles are not by any means
cheap bits Of flashy jewelry, but are real
ly articles Of which any woman may be
proud TO wear. s,ach souvenir will be en-
closed in a neat box and a. each one OF
them actually costs in large quantities
moro than the price of the ticket the per-
Torrance upon that evening will be some
what in the nature of complimentary
affair These souvenirs will be distributed
tC every lady present regardless OF the
price Of the seat which she occupies.
-"
Keith's theatre was crowded Tuesday
afternoon with friends OF the Abee Stock
company anxious TO learn the name OF
the coming seasons leading man, which
the management had promised should he
made public at 1870 o'clock OF that day.
4
the responsible position, is no stranger TO
Providence theatregoers. For two seasons
he has been i'm vaudeville, giving with his
Wife a sketch, "Am ! Your Wife?"
Mr. Cranes dramatic career began with
the humble grade OF super In a NJ Pal
mer's stock company In the original pro-
duction of Lady Windemere's Fan
This popular piece OF work received its
initial production at Boston, with Julia
Arthur and Maurice Barrymore prom-
nent In the cast The usual variety OF toll
hlch falls to the lot of the beginner was
experienced by Mr.. Crane, including
part in The Box Office" bits in the old
Boston Museum and I'm the Boston Grand
opera House Stock company In Joseph
Haworth's ill-fated production OF "Rinal-
90" Mr Crane was promoted TO an eight
lihe part; IL was a new piece and rehear-
sails followed every performance for the
purpose of cutting and readjusting with
the result that Mr. Crane lost line at
each OF the eight performances or the
first week and I'm the second had nothing
left except entrances and exits. A small
part I'm THE ClodKmaker's Hat" follow
ed. and after another four weeks Mr..
Crane received recognition 20 the extent
OF being entrusted with the principal
con- edy parts Among other members OF
this company besides Mr.. Haworth were
HC ward Gould Mark Price and Mrs.
Fheree II was a good experience for the
older as well as the young members, the
repertoire including Hamlet" THE
PeIs," "Richelieu," etc.
In the natural course OF events a New
York engagement was the next thing IN
MI Cranes career, and on tour he filed
n lisht comedy part I'm "Niobe," Leading
parts with Thomas She's IN his wide rep
ertolre were followed I'm 1898 by an en-
q cement as leading man in Jacob 1Atts
Last stake" with Frederick De Helle-
willie and Helen Lowell The position OF
juvenile in the Imperial Stock company OF
ST Louis next engaged Mr.. Cranes at
tontion. stock work attracted him, and
during the succeeding five years he was
cc injected with the best In the country,
among them Henry Savage's Philadelphia
company that OF the 81. Charles theatre,
New Orleans. the Byceum, Memphis, and
tho Davidson, Milwaukee Two years were
IPfSed NJ inc llthTuNIut tHINdkps huu ~
season at the Grand Opera House. San
Francisco when Daniel Frawley organ
i7ed a company In the last city for an
Oriental tour Mr.. Crane was fortunate
CROUCH TO get An opportunity TO Join II.
ana he counts ~ among the pleasantest
weeks Of his life those he spent
IN playing before English speaking
audiences in such far cities as those OF
Japan. China, I'm Manila, Singapore, Pc
nang. Calcutta. RanJoon and Colombo.
Upon his return TO the United States Mr..
Crane went into vaudeville In the sketch
above mentioned
As may be seen. Mr.. Cranes stage ex-
perience has been n wide one. and Mr..
Icvenberg, manager Of the Albee Stock
company. believes he will prove an ex-
Gel tionally attractive and capable leading
man far the Albee company. Among tho
vel known plays In which Mr. Crane has
had leading parts may he mentioned
THE Rivals." "Aristocracy," Led