The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-30
slI- -ss~ ts.ssss
CASE" MAKES A
FINE IMPRESSION

II was "The Eastman Case by Mr..
Paul Wilstach, with Mr.. Charles art
wright in leading role, that attracted TWO
large audiences at the providence opera
house yesterday afternoon and evening
ences at the Providence opera house yes
terday afternoon and evening.
II was found necessary TO place extra eStra
rows OF chairs I'm tho front OF the house,
which naturally forced the orchestra 10
the stage: I'm fact there didn't appear TO
be vacant seat in the house
The piece is new one and as rs quftc
the case with trying out productions
there appears cruditics and some misin-
terpretations OF lines, which naturally
will be remedied later. ON the whole, ana
without the least bit of eXaggeration,
The Eastman Case" Is most interest
ing playa bit different than the ordl-
nary, with a plot that Is rather unique,
and when thoroughly smoothed out Will
prove attention. holding 20 the average
audience.
II tells the story of American life with
the action taking place In New YORK. ana
the disappearance OF a string or pearls
and the opening OF an episode IN the past
life of Mr.. Raeburn Cplayed by Mr.. cart
life of one Mr. Raeburn tplayed by Mr..
whose hands the case has been placed TO
be solved. forms the basis Of the plot,
The author has play Of no little dra-
matte strength and has during the fouf
acts used to tell the story developed IL all
i'm quite a logical manner. The situations
and there are a number OF especially
strong ones. are well worked up ana ar
rive in natural way; the dialogue IN al
most every particular is quite IN accord
with the situation doCreed 10 bring out,
although in some instances too much or
two little stress is placed upon INES
which rs not conducive TO the strength or
the niece. and too there are some lines
that are plainly commonplace ana or a
bit too much theatre. 10 appear sincerely
90 the audience. OF course these arc uS-
flciencies-to repeat, first productions al
WAYS have them, but the basis OF a tne
play rs I'm The Eastman Case ana III
tho main the two performances yesterday
were most creditable
There arc some very good character
studies I'm the play--the lawyer with
past. I'm love with his family, ana having
made a fine name, does all TO pfotect IL
and his children; the erring son, careless
happy -go-mcky. but weak; the daughter,
happy I'm her surroundings and home. the
crook" whose prison term has not cured
him: the junior law partner, VINO, en-
deavoring TO do the right thing, upsets
things completely at times, ana severdl
other minor character that are excellent
studies.
The cast is. on tho whole a well bal
anced one. Mr. Cartwright, while not so
very well known TO theatregoers of Provi-
dencc. certainly made good, So 30 speak,
with them yesterday and his work viii not
soon -H1r-forgotteH.-lIa Lnlcrpreted his
lines with convincing effect. although at
time was inclined TO over act, which may
probably be due TO the effect that he was
laborinc under an intense nervous strain,
having suffered a deep bereavement dur
ing the past week occasloned by the loss
of his Wife There were few, II any, in
the audience who knew of this and any
man or woman can appreciate what
mental strain Mr. Cartwright must be
under.
Ills acting reminds one forcibly OF Mr..
Mllards: his voice Is we'll modula ted. his
action easy and graceful and hc certainly
has a great deal of magnetism.
Tho balance of the company arc well
placcd--in every particular It seems. Fol
lowing Mr. Cartwright I'm cleverness was
Mr. William McVey as Joe keegan. the
crook and gave "A most convincing picture,
both I'm action and physical qualifications.
Mr. Charles Hammond as Dick Raeburn,
the erring son comes IN for much favor
able comment. az does Mr.. William ~.
Greene as Mr.. North. the junior Law part
ner. Mr. George Paxton as Simons, added
n bit OF comedy about all I'm the piece.
and while ne did not have "A large part
interpreted 10 with realism
Tho feminine members OF tho cast. al
though not as strong as the male mem
bers were very satisfactory Miss Dorothy
Hammond as Martha Racburn had the
major part of tho work. and did n well.
The play Is well mounted. To repeat 10
is interesting and decidedly ont Of the
ordinary. Mr.. Cartwright has a big OPP
portunity. and reputation shows him fully
capable OF making FOR himself certain
changes that viii increase tho strength of
his part and tho piece IN general. where
the author has seemingly failed With
some moro smoothing ont "The Eastman
Case" will decidedly be a success.
n will be repeated this evening and to-
morrow afternoon and evening.