The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-05-09
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Everyone I met yesterday said the
same thing-"Tell me all about it.
meaning the Albee company's opening
There Is a something in the air on the
opening nights OF the Albee Stock com
pany that makes Il unlike any other
night In the year. haven't missed one
of those opening nights, go 1 know what
I'm saying when l say that this seasons
was the best opening the Albee company
has ever had
IL was so nice TO be able TO feel sin
cere in giving the new players share
OF the applause. Doubtless we would all
have been friendly and cordial to them.
anyway. but the applause we gave the
newcomers was spontaneous and genu-
Inc, for they all earned IT,
Briefly, the new members OF the com
pany are all hits" AS for the old
favorites. even anxiety for the safety OF
our gloves was forgotten in our eager
ness to say Welcome"
The first three acts OF the play were
uninterrupted save by the prolonged ap-
plause that greeted all the players as
they made their first appearance. I'm
willing TO admit that first impressions
aren't always correct. but when an actor
has an opportunity and takes advanTSge
OF II at the start. II makes one expect
some pretty good things. and by the end
Of the third act there was a buzz OF
approval that must have made Proprietor
Albee's right ear burn.
One thing that pleased me nightly
was the way I'm which the play-"The
Second in Command" staged /
was especially interested in this because
Robert Turner Is rather n hobby OF mine
I've a bushel OF confidence In that young
man. l saw the original production OF
THE Second IN Command" four years
ago but while Mr.. Drew's production was
gotten ready for a season or two and
the Albee company's was for but one
week the latter compared favorably with
the original. with the possibility OF a
shadow OF odds I'm the Albee company's
favor. The scenery made every room
seem the kind lived In. The pictures on
the wall the knick -kuacks on the man
tel. the very shade oh the lamp-all the
little details. not anuyzed but always
felt--were there.
At the end Of the third act came the
usual bombardment OF flowers, and each
~ the members OF the company was
loaded with moro than ne or she could
easily carry. Baskets Of fruit and good
les. covered with flowers. were given sew
eral members OF the company and Mr..
Losee received a funny little rocking
horse covered with flowers and n floral
horseshoe. We couldn't tell what was
In all the boxes that went over the foot
lights. but guess they were pretty nice
things.
The speeches arc an important factor
In the Albee companys FIRST nights. The
new members spoke seriously and warm
ly. and the old favorltes wittily Mr.
Losee neatly evaded making a speech
himself. introducing. arter n brief thank
you" from himself. Mr.. lngersoll III
your APPLAUSE this evening means any
tAiHs, ,&sald- -Mr-Ing gcIsnl- -Mhn- by that
time had made such big hit that every
one In the house was his staunch ad-
mirer we've won approval from YOU.
hope we'll continue 20. I'm certainly
going 90 try very hard" There was i'm
pressive earncstness in his tone and n
determined squaring or HIS Jaw thpt
chased away the fascinating dimple In
his chin and spelled resolution.