The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-05
EsTheatres

IL was the famous Boston Cadets In
the Indian extravaganza, Miss Pocahon-
tas," book by Mr.. R. A. Barnet and Mr..
X. M. Baker and music by Mr. Daniel j.
Sullivan, that nightly pleased two audi
ences at the Shubort theatre on Saturday
Something surely must be the matter
with Providence people when they allow
production OF this kind TO be presented
here and not give IL the heartiest kind OF
support-both audiences on Saturday were
too small. but what was lacking I'm num-
bers was certainly made up in enthusi-
asm. The Boston Cadets is the crack
military organization of Massachusetts
and for the past l6 years have been giving
yearly theatrical productions in order TO
raise money 10 build themselves an ar
mory. Their aim has now been accom-
plished. and this year will perhaps be the
last OF their theatrcals so successfully
carried on by Mr.. Barnet who has had
full charge ard has written the book for
each production.
Boston people know the cadets-know
what they can do-and a cadet show is
the signal for all society to turn out at
the Hub.
IL was rather paying Providence a com
pliment too. the coming here OF this or
history that they have ever given one Of
their productions outside their own city
To repeat the Saturday audiences were
small-perhaps the people here didn't
know just what TO expect, and undoubted-
ly the weather had bit TO do with 1t,
but Miss Pocahontas' should certainly
have been greeted with large audiences,
and especially had the support OF the local
military organizations. There was some
gold buttons and lace I'm the audience. and
they deserve credit. but no official or I'm
a body" courtesy or entertainment was
extended to the visitors.
1t is impossible for any one to criticise.
in the strick sense OF the word, an anna
teur performance. ii is either good or bad.
The cadets made good-they always
do
Everybody knows something about the
story OF Pocahontas-what she did and
all that. The piece Miss Pocahontas"
has her as central figure 10 produce
big spectacle with Indians, most OF
them, as the characters, and the scene
first opens near jamestown as IL might
have been during the time OF Pocahontas
and Smith. Everybody seems TO be in
love with this beautiful Indian maiden,
and everybody wants TO marry her, but
her inclinations along the matrimonial
line lean to Capt. Smith, and he, getting
into trouble with the braves and Pow
ing 10 save the captains life. which is
never, however, In very grave danger
In the second act the scene shifts 10 a
town madesto order somewhere for Pow
hatan (now Big Chief O'Toole), where the
tribe meet and I'm more civilized garbs
make the best OF the fun OF the great
city.
one loses the plot somewhere about the
middle OF the first act but II doesn't
make any difference. The plot II 1t can
be called plot, Is unnecessary. There Is
something OF interest doing every minute.
There is lots of action. the costumes are
gorgeous and attractive to the eye, the
dialogue is clever and witty the songs
and choruses hypnotic and the settings
beautiful. The fact that the female parts
are all taken by men adds to the general
enjoyment and without exception they
were all carried out TO perfection. or
course there was little masculine
stride with all OF them that couldn't be
lost. but 1t made it all the more fascinat-
ing
A number OF the principals in the cast
could surely give professionals few
pointers. Notably among these was Mr..
w. b. c. Fox as Powhatan. he Is a
clever comedian indeed, and his ''OToole"
song in the second act was warmly re-
ceived. Mr. G. A. Shea as Capt. John
Smith had a very charming personality
and a sort OF over the footlghts ac-
quaintance that made one feel you knew
MIN even II you didn't. He plays we'll
and has a well modulated voice.
Mr.. A. A. Highlands, or ANDY as he
is known to college men. was Cut-Rate
john He made good in his part and his
six foot three. four or five. made him
prominent figure In the show.
Mr.. j. A. Chtpman played the tide part
"Pocahontas." and from the very first
she COR he. as you like) won the hearts OF
the female portion OF the audience be
cause they knew she was a man. and OF
the male part because they knew he was
such a good looking girl. Ease. grace and
good looks was the stock IN trade Of Mr..
Chepan, and his figure-wcH, IL was all
right.
Mr. w. s. Powell as Jane Rolfe made up
charmngly and looked every inch girl
except when in motion. His dancing was
excellent. As John Rolfc Mr. +. j. Ko-
Vach was decidedly well placed, looking
deboner and dancing cleverly. Mr. II. Il.
Stevens as Dancing Bluebird' made a
very favorable impression In his light
fantasies while Mr. ID. J. Stevens as
Evening Breeze" did a clever piece OF
comedy work
All in all the characters could not havc
been apparently better placed and on all
sides were heard praises Of the perform
ances. Between the afternoon and the
evening performances the company enter
tanned themselves with "Spagheti theatri-
calls entitled Miss Roughouseonus."
After the evening performance the club
met In the large dining room OF the
Crown hotel and took supper a large
number OF visitors also being present.
The songs were all sung over again and
some hers Of former cadet shows and
the room presented a most animated fea-
ture.