The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-11
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE

Last evening the Providence opera
house opened its regular winter season
and the theatre-going public. thanks TO
Col. Wendeschaefer, will now have the
opportunity 10 witness the best metro
politan productions. many OF which have
previously been "froze out" so To speak.
from this city. Its an Independent
house now" as the colonel says. 1--WE arc
independent 20 choose the attractions
Providence will be sure TO like. No more
bad shows forced upon us and we guar
antee season OF genuine enjoyment"
This is certainly good news.
The first night OF the regular season
brought Henry T.. Dixey in the Madison
Square theatre comedy success, THE
Man on the Box" a dramatzation OF
Harold MacGraths novel OF the same
name, by Grace Livingstone Furniss.
II certainly pleased the audience; Dixey
always did please and his first appearance
here as star in some years clearly de-
mOnstrated that he has lost none OF his
fun-making qualities.
II IL not an especially great piece-it Is
interesting, II holds attention, and tells
the pretty story Of young army officer,
Liet Warburton (Mr. Dixey), who be-
comes smitten with the charms OF
young woman. Elizabeth Annesley Miss
Nordstrom), and I'm prank disguises
himself as a coachman and gets arrested
at the complaint OF the Annesley girl.
She prefers three charges and then, wo'
man-like, wthdraws them, pays the
mans fine and actually engages him as
her coachman.
Then follows the interesting scenes
and situations i'm the young ladys
nome. She has fallen in love with
him. not knowing that he is OF her
own station i'm life. and the brother of
her dearest girl friend Soner or later
| disclosures follow and the lieutenant
eventually saves the young woman's faith
er. a retired army officer. from commit
ting treason against his country.
OF course, IL all ends quite as one would
wish it to end and as it ought TO end;
the lieutenant gets the girl and she is
| happy in her love for him.
II takes three acts TO produce the story
and there appears to be a lot of rapid
transit love making. but this is TO be ex-
| pected in the dramatization OF the story.
| The piece might be honestly described
4 as a amicable comedy and at some parts
! verged on the farce. There is only one
really serious situation i'm the play and
J this occurs in the last act when Lieut..
| WarburtOn saves Miss Annesleys father
from disgrace. IT is just as well that
| there are no more serious situations for
| while Mr. Dixey without question. as a
| farceur, is iminitable and that there are
| few, II any, actors of today who equal
| him in mobility OF facial expression or
| neatness in the rendition of his comic Of
| feet, his capacity for displaying any great
deep or serious emotion is lacking
II would appear. however, that no piece
could have been picked out that would
| have better suited his special talants.
| Easy. graceful, debonnair, he gains the
| good will of the audience at once and
| keeps IL.
| At the close of the second act last even
ing Mr.. Dixey made a neat little speech.
| wing, "he was glad 10 be back in Prov-
! dence-now that ne was able TO do so
j without giving up 30 per cent. He told OF
meeting an old lady about 20 years OF age
on the street yesterday. who greeted her
! joyfully and recalled TO mind that her
mother had at one time taken her to see
| him play Adonis'" Mr. DiXey certainly
don't look any such age and he isn't.
| He has n most excellent supporting
company-an exceedingly well balanced
one in fact, Miss Marie Nordstrom. as
the leading lady, gave a most excellent
| Interpretation OF the part OF Miss An
nesley. played by Carotta Nillson, when
the piece was first produced.
! Miss Nordstrom has a charming per-
! sonality and IL can not be seen how she
| could have improved much on her part,
| Mr. sydney Booth. as Charles Henderson,
| the friend OF Lieut.. Warburton was most
| excellent while Mr.. Chester Beecroft as
| officer O'Brien OF the mounted police
! came i'm for much commendation In the
| part of Col. Frank Raleigh, L. s. A. Mr..
James A. Bliss was well placed and gave
a true picture Of a bluff and hearty army
! Officer. The balance of the company were
Individually clever in their respective
| parts.
All in all the play is mighty good one
and will continue TO please at tonight's
performance, tomorrow evening and at a
| Wednesday matinee.