The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-23

dramatic the period Of Beau Brummel"
or at least. the Moth and the Flame.
You would know II for Fitch play be-
cause OF the boldly raw situations, the
kind of thing which the old theatregoer
looks at askance from out his experience
that the pursper OF intellectual" rhapso-
dies abhors as he would ahhor a steam
calliope but that, as Mr.. Fitch has learn
ed by happy experience. audiences take TO
and pay 10 revei in.
Nothing so hideously engaging as the
climax OF the third act Of THE Woman"
has come from Mr.. Fftch's pen since the
hero Of The Moth" struck down at the
altar the woman that he had betrayed
No bones are made OF the development OF
this scene along the lines OF realism, as
MIR. Fitch has practiced It both I'm a hu-
morous and n serious vein. II isn't
pretty scene and, from the viewpoint
OF the theatregoer who wants 10 have his
fntellectuals stimulated while his body
reposgs comfortably and maybe his eyes
close from flesh wearness, IL Is probably
a mighty offenseit doesn't go well with
hot chocolate and Nabiscos But when.
after getting THE Woman" drunk. the
heroine drags out OF the creature the Sc
cret that is to free her husband from
charge OF murder and then proceeds TO
throttle her into insensibility. last nights
audience came near coming to It's feet
en- masse and both Miss Walsh and Miss
Dorr were compelled TO answer repeated
curtain calls and almost forced to make
q speech.
On the other hand, II '"rhe Woman"
is distinctly Fitch in a former style with
respect TO this and other materially Inn
pelling situations in the play, II Is all
most entirely lacking in the pleasantly
satirical lines and situations that Fitch
so often delights us with There is a gen
tie knock az "misfit wedding presents"
In the first act. but beyond that there Is
nothing OF social satire or indeed of any
or The light touches That usually adorn q
Fitch play. though they may be simply
'asides' with no bearing on the action
or theme. II is pretty straight meodrama
with the heavy villain n woman and the
hero a woman, also. II points no moral,
At presents no problem, IL reflects 40 So
cial or other condition for study lt IS a
straight and exciting story told In a
straight and exciting way albeit the char
acters are developed with an evident pur-
pose TO have them act in the melodramatic
situation as real people In real life OF
the present day would act Neither the
hero--which is 10 say, the heroine-n0r the
heavy villain-which Is 10 say. the villain
ness-go OF the handle in speech or ac-
tion TO contribute stage strength TO the
melodramatic situation. but the situation
is permitted to demonstrate It's own
strength without the accessory Of the rant
and tear OF the classic melodra ma.
The women in the cast are the princi-
pals in The Woman in the Case" Miss
Walsh giving a consistent bit Of emo
tional acting restrained by the conven
tions OF modern society. while Mis-. Dorr
cuts loose a. vulgar adventures in
splendid contrast Both portaitures are
well drawn and well Interpreted and
they won cordial recognition from last
nights audience.
The stage dressing Is remarkable for
the enclosed interiors OF three out of the
four acts which scarcely Occupy quarter
OF the space Of tho Providence Opera
house stage. sffording IN curiously ef-
fective way the effect aimed at--of ac-
tually small apartments in real houses.
and bringing the action amazingly close
10 the audience.