The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-09

evidenced their satisfaction at being able
In the future, TO see many other OF he wen-
known players and plays that certain
conditions have barred from pelhg pre-
sented I'm our city.
There were few vacant seats I'm the
shubert last night-there would have been
less had the weather permitted put
nevertheless the occasion was thorouBh
success from every viewpoint and on All
sides were heard the most favorable com
ments.
IL has been about IA years since "A Prov
idence audience has had the pleasure OF
seeing Mrs. Fiske, then Minnie Maddern'
here She has improved-wonderfully I'M
proved-there is not the slightest doubt oi
this. and her Interpretation last nlgat Oh
a most unusual character. I'm HkeWise
unusual piece was an artistic triumph
The play. by Q. NJ. c. Mcclellan. Is nod-
ern--it is tense. full OF action. absorbing
and above all human. The title role, Lean
Kleschna. is OF course. taken by Mr-.
Fiske. one might call the character that
Of a female "Rafflcs' for In reality uat
is what Leah a.. She has been tralncd pN
her father himself a famous criminal
and has become an adept I'm the art n
al later she takes her means OF liveI-
hood az "A matter of course and when sh"
gives some slight evidence Of dlsllk!ng the
work her father remonstraNs In effective
language THE profession you're IN, ne
says stands high I'm my estimation
Hundreds of men arc playing the Same
game and calling It business principles.
We fancy fellows go the straight road
that's ALL
The FIRST act shows Leah's lodgings
where a plan is being laid for the rob
berry OF Jewels belonging 10 a prominent
man. Mons Paul Sylvane, whom Leah
has grown 10 love by reason OF heroic
act accomplished by him. The second act
shows the Sylvane home and Leah IN the
act OF robbing the safe and caught by
Sylvaine This act is decidedly dramatic
and one knows hardly how it Is going 10
end Sylvaine appeals To the better nature
OF the girl which he feels she possesses,
and finally allows her TO so free. The
degenerate brother OF the girl 10 whom
Sylvane is engaged. who Is Ia love win
Leah has appeared on the scene ana dlr-
| ing the momentary absence OF Svlvaine.
! steals the Jewels and brings suspicion to
/ Leah hut i'm the next act Sylvaine clears
| the girl Leah returns to her old homo
! near Neustadt, Austria. TO work In the
| lettuce fields and to lead life she feels
! is right and true. Three years later Syl-
vaine finds her and, AZ having grown to
love her. prevails upon her 10 return 10
/ the world with him as his wife,
! Probably until Mrs. Fiske created Leah
! Kleschna,' the girl burglar was a
! stranger 10 the stage and II remained for
! Mr.. Mcclellan 10 give her tbe opportunity
| to show 10 the people an interesting char
actcr. There are In the world probably
many real characters like Leah kleschna.
| with q moral makeup quite similar. and
| the manner i'm which Mrs Fiske handled
her lines and her actions brought out the
character In a clear and convincing man
| ner
Every movement-every lire or word
spoken In the piece by Mrs Ftskc or the
other members OF the cast meant some
thing.
There were no supernuous words OF
action and only few times during
the entire piece was the human voice
raised above the ordinary tone--The dia'
logue was tcrsc and 10 the point.
Every act is acSorbing-they seem tC
grow stronger right along, the only criu
cism being that the last act and finale
might probably be made more effective
should the more definite idea be con
veyed that Leah was really going ia lcav,
her Neustadt home to return with Syl
vanie as his wife.
The scenery IS effective. the last ac
showing the lettuce field. being especial
ly so. and is quite one or the pretties
stage effects seen here In a long time.
In every individual case the support q
Mrs. Fiske comes In for special praise
Mr. John Mason is seen at his very bes
as Mons SyIvanie-his Interpretation o
the part, seemingly, could not be i'm
proved upon while Mr.. George Arliss a
the degenerate son, Raoul Berton, wa
most effective. giving "A decidedly repul
sive vet artistic delinea tion of a diff.
cult part Mr.. DE Belville showed sligh
nervousness at the opening OF the piece
but this wore off soon and he came il
for much sincere praise for his work II
character that, taken by one less ca
pable would have received little sympa
thy. Mr.. Mack as Schram had smal
part but he handled II so well that II be
came factor Miss Stevens as Clair
Berton did her small part well as ais
did Miss Belle Bohn, who, by the way,
the daughter OF Rear Admiral j. A. How
ell of the United states navy.
All i'm all the cast Is "A strong and capa
bic one and Leah Kleschna" will pleas
tho coming audiences at the Shubert 70
the balance Of the week.