The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-08
he THEATRES

Ella Wheeler Wilcox. whose Poems OF
Passion" sentiment and humanity are
world famous, has written her first play.
II is called "Mizpah' and IS the story OF
Esther. whose love romance makes so
bright a chapter in the Old Testament
Mrs. Wilcox wrote the play in collabora-
tion with Luscombe Searele, we'll
known foreign playwright. and IL Is said
to have both dramatic and musical
side OF high order. The poetress is said
to have developed her celebrated story
with that heart interest which is so char
acterstic OF her verse. treating the Scrip
tural love romance In such a way that II
will have a new appeal TO modern audi
ences OF playgoers. The Frohman produc-
tlon is declared to be a most handsome
setting OF this Biblical play. with 10
scenes OF charm and novelty and cast
OF 100 people.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox is said TO have fol-
lowed the sacred love story Of Queen Es-
ther without taking undue licenses I'm the
matter OF poetic invention, so far as her
new play of 'Mizpah' is concerned. She
OF the Scrptural tale, including Ahasue-
rus. Haman, Mordecai. Queen Nashti, the
conspiring Covrt Chamberlains and the
other prominent figures of the Biblical
book The relations of Queen Vashti and
Haman are somewhat elaborated upon
lines not limited at in the original narra-
tive. but in way that more fully eN-
plains the otherwise mysterious rebellion
OF Queen Vashti against the royal will OF
the Persian monarch. The captivity Of
the Jews In Persia forms sharp contrast
10 the Persian splendor itself The age
OF Nerxes has been chosen as
the Persian period for the time OF ac-
ton, and its historical customs and an
Equities copied as faithfully as possible
IN the footlight presentation, which will be
seen for the first time at the Providence
Opera House this evening. the play having
opened in Baltimore last month.
Charles Frohman can almost always be
relied upon TO furnish ideal casts for his
productions, and IL Is no surprise to find
that he has selected such a speciality ade-
quate galaxy of footlisht artists for the
Interpretation of "Mizpah." That expert
actor, j. n. Gilmour. should make an
admira able Kink Ahasuerus In this play
OF ancient Persian magnifcence. while
Adele Block, with her pronounced type OF
brunette Jewish beauty, should make a
delightful Esther Olive oliver, who was
so excellent as Calypso in Ulysses" can
readily be figured In ones eye as the
fierce Oriental Queen Vashti. William
Harcourt as the crafty and cruel Grand
vizier, or Viceroy, Haman, and Charles
Harbury. az the noble old Jew Mordecal,
uncle OF Esther. are also distinguished
members OF the cast, which includes such
other favorites as Ralph Delmore. Stanley
Dark and Frank Tsnnehill, Jr., and which
numbers in all 100 persons.
s.s
Charles Dana Gibson. the creator OF the
famous Pipp family with the pen, and
Digby Bell, the comedian, the creator
Of tie flesh and blood Mr. Pipp on the
stage, are the best OF friends. Only once
has there appeared the slightest indica-
ton OF a rupture between the two men.
and that was one day when the actor
volunteered TO play model for an hour
and pose in Mr.. Gibsons studio in Car
negie hall, New York, for one Of the fare
well Pipp pictures.
II was a group, the mother and dsugn-
ters gathered about the little bushy-hsired
father. Mr.. Bell was in his makeup. II
was the latter part Of April and the warm
sprdng sun poured In through the glass
overhead.
Mr.. Bell, without an utterance OF com
plajnt, bore the punishment for 10 min
utes. Fifteen more minutes without a
Gibson had roughly sketched with his
pencil the three women and had drawn
only the outline OF him. The grease was
standing out on his face. Picture or no
picture. you have just five more minutes
Mr.. Gibson lifted his eyes from his work
and appeared surprised Then he scowled
but the dripping grease brought a smile
The model was dismissed within five
minutes.
Mr.. Bell in his creation OF Mr.. Pipp In
the Gibson Thomas comedy. THE Educa-
tion OF Mr.. Pipp." will be seen In this city
for the first time at the Providence opera
House, Feb. l2-t. The star brings with
him the original New York cast that
played for % weeks last season at the
Liberty theatre in the metropolis. II in
cludes w. q. ST. Clair. Helen Tracy, Janet
Beecher Adele Luehrman. Fred Courte-
nay, Sam Hardy, Sam Colt, Fred Rey-
nolds and others.