The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-04-27
ANNIE RUSSELL
WELL LIKED IN
HER NEW PLAY

Miss Annie Russell. I'm her new play
Friend Hannah" completely captivaied
last evenings audience at tho Providence
opera house by her winning grace and in
genuOusness and the dainty touch hse gave
TO most artistic Interpretation OF pc
culiarly sympathetic role.
Paul kester's romantic play. while con-
tGining no striking originality I'm theme
and az times somewhat lacking I'm Gra-
matte strength and cohesiyeness, displays
even greater cleverness in treatment and
a much finer sentiment than his earlicr
pl loductions, and abounds In poetic beauty
Its humor Is OF singular dalicacy. yet
keen and occasionally unctiJus: IFS appeal
TO the sympathy OF the audience is a
powerful one; it's action Is sufficiently ami
mated TO leave few dull moments. and its
| thoroughly interesting story Is told with
such directness and clearneas as 10 over
balance any Jack OF newness.
The scene Is laid IN the 18th century.
when King George II. Is at the y irt a.
death. HIS grandson, the Prince OF
wales. in love with pretty Quaker
maiden, who is unaware OF his identity
marTies her secretly and honorably while
his brother the Duke OF York. and his
friend. the Duke OF Chandos, stand by
him. While they are about 90 sit down 10
the wedding supper at the home OF the
brides uncle. there comes the news Of the
old kings death. and the newly welded
husband and new king is called away by
duty
\ few weeks OF happiness follow In a
villa at Hampton. and then the king y
secret is discovered 10y his mother. and
tle Earl OF Butte. and they impart the
truth TO the young wife. She sees her
duty and leaves her husband at the very
| moment he is preparing 20 acknowled &c
her as his queen.
The last act, 90 years later. shows the
old king, blind and mentally Afflicted,
visiting the old home where he found
his bride, and she tenderly leads him
again through tho scenes OF their first
meeting. he In his blindness having no
recognition OF her identity
OF Miss Russells work as Hannah
| Mghtfoot scarcely too much can be said
| in praise. There are times when she is
not equal 10 the strong emotional re-
| quirements OF the role, but they are very
few and result rather from physical than
from artistical deficiency. All the deeply
| sympathetic qualities of the part, all its
delightful humor and its poetic cnarm are
, brought out with admirable effectiveness.
and the impersonation is crowned by that
desideratum OF artistic Interpretation. abb
solute naturamess and entire freedom
| from suggestion OF artinciahty or striving
for effect
The supporting company is an excellent
| one throughout, and the scenic investiture
| and fidelity to detail I'm the production
| merit hearty commendation. Mr.. Yorke
gave a manly and sympathetic picture
| OF tho king and made the character con-
sistent with the idea of the play. A well
| characterized bit was contributed by Mr..
] Woodward as Hannah's uncle, and Mr.
| Cooke. Mr.. Brown and Miss Stevens were
conspicuous I'm the production Of an ade-
| quate ensemble The scenic mounting is
| picturesque and effective. and no less at
/ tention TO detail is noticeable in the cos
| tuning
! Friend Hannah" will be repeated this
| evening and tomorrow afternoon and eve
| ming