The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-14
EMPIRE THEATRE

1.-The Queen OF the Highbinders,' one
| OF the most sensa tional melodramas OF
| the day, is the offering at the Empire
theatre for the initial week OF the regu-
1 lar season. The story Is one or great IN
terest. and is skilfully woven with a
view Of getting strong melodramatic ac-
| ton I'm nearly every feature. The play is
J full OF thrilling incidents, exciting ell
makes, sensational escapades, and rs true
| to modern life.
When the curtain went up for the first
time this season last evening, every seat
Hin the house was occupied. The house
khas been beautifled, and Is now one of
1.-THE most handsome theatres in the East.
1.-THE walls have been entirely altered both
lin color and appearance, the tints haV-
ing been succeeded by heavy paper or
Hight green with an elaborate figure In
Xldul gold Even the gallery walls have
been retinted. The ceilings are now OF
blue with a fine stripe, and the wood.
'work throughout the house is OF colonial
green. The hanoings are OF rich red
Evelvet; and the box posts, as well as the
railings of the boxes, show covering OF
green velvet plush In a beautiful shaded
tint. The entire lower floor has been
|reseated with new opera chairs, which
are wide. easy and comfortable, covered
with green plush to match the other col
The ladies room In the balcony has
been redecorated and refurnished. The
ceiling Is in a japanese style of floral
and rococo design, finished In orange and
white. The staircases In the theatre
have been finished in mahogany; and the
lobby ceilings are In japanese sky. the
walls OF an Oriental sunset color. and
the woodwork in mahogany.
The story deals with the plotting Of
kxai Tong, the leader of the highbinders.
20 obtain the love OF Alice stuart, who
remains faithful TO her husband. George.
Bettina Otis. the queen of the high
binders, becomes infatuated with George
Ind plots in vain TO win his love- In the
hrst act Alice's brother. who had
plan nned TO becohie Bettina's husband. Is
murdered by Bettina. Kai Tong and
Before sst h, he " died he determined to get
vengeance by writing his murderers'
hames on the wall. He writes with the
ood Of his heart a, 81 have r,e been rI1nI mur-
IONS name first. but he dies. His muir
berers return TO the room and see the
writing Arlington, who IL able to imi-
late the dead mans writing, finishes the
tentence by making 1t read: II have
been murdered by Alice and her hus-
band" George Is arrested. but Alice Is
6s to e. free ToSR OR eorge S
1ros. Sing Sing prison only TO find that
bis wife Ia In the hands of the high
binders. After. many thrilling incidents
be with the aid of the police saves her.
One OF the startling features of the
blay Is the torture chamber In the last
Yet. where Alice Is tied 20 a couch over
which row Of knives descends. Before
he knives have pierced her. Alice Is
aved from the horrible torture by Sarah
3utinsky and Ikey 1snacs both OF whom
Furnish bright comedy throughout the
Llay. In the last act n high wall is
called by policemen, most of whom are
Providence young men, who travel with
ne company.
The cast is n strong one and the fea-
ue part. Alice Stuart. is assumed 10y
iiss Elma Gllet, whose emotional work
nearly excellent. George T.. Whitaker
ppears as George Stuart. and the audi
nee was with him from start To finish
ella f. Davis was the queen OF the
ighbinders and performed her part In a
host capable manner. Edward +. Nan
airy appeared as Kai Tong. and he with
Robert u. cain, who appeared as Harry
rlngton. his accomplice. were awarded
kith continual Kisses from the audience
specially the gallery gods. Bessie elf
prd as Sarah Butinsky. and James r.
Matters as 1key, introduced a number OF
oecialties. besides furnishing the comedy
,ork and were well received by the au-
lence. All the other characters assume
heir parts In a very creditable manner.