The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-16
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE

At the opera house for the balance of
the week, with matnees Wednesday and
Saturday the Neill Amusement company
offer THE Light Eternal by Martin V.
Merle.
So far as Eastern theatre -goers are
concerned. last night was the first pro-
duction, for the piece was first built for
the students OF Santa Clara university OF
California and was later rewritten for the
professional stage. II tells a story OF an
cient Rome during that period when the
Christians were so sorely prosecuted and
how the daughter Of the emperor falls In
love with young Christian, and through
the jealousy of a rival the hero is even
tually put TO death
This forms the nucleus OF the plot and
about IL is woven stirring scenes and sit
uations portraying In a most realistic
manner the manner in which the ptiless
persecution OF Christians was carried on
In those times.
The house was crowded last night and
by the applause IL was clearly demon
strated that the piece pleased and was
highly satisfactory in every way. Natu-
rally there was a slight nervousness
shown by several members OF the COM
pany but IL did not seriously detract, and
on the whole the action went along very
smoothly indeed.
There have been a number OF pieces
written along quite the same line -ef IT he
Light Eternal" but none of them have
made a distinctive hit.
This production OF Mr. Merle's shows
no particular dramatic genius, but as this
sort of a piece appeals 10 the average
audience there Is no doubt but that IL will
be received with a certain measure of
pleasure. II has the commendable feature
that tho force of many of the situations
do not depend upon the voice power "
taking part or the use OF noise TO force
the strength or seriousness OF the action
upon the audience, for the dialogue Is
depended upon TO a great degree TO bring
out the really strong action and situa-
tions on the other hand. there Is notice
able at times an amateurish construction.
but this fault is not glaring and is conse-
quently overlooked or forgotten.
The company. in the main, Is capa-
BILE one and Mr. Neil has surrounded
himself with very satisfactory cast In
the leading role, that OF Marco Valerius,
Mr.. Nell is serious and convincing; he
has a pleasing voice-but not heavy one.
a fine physique and the combination,
augmented by knowledge Of how not to
overact, is most favorable one.
In the support, Mr. Ernest Hastings,
as Sebastian, captain OF the guard.
should come in for favorable comment.
and Miss Edyth Chapman, as Artemia,
the daughter Of the emporer. does a credi-
taple piece OF WORK although az llHleS IL Is
OF the elocutionary stamp. Mr.. Walter
d. Greene. as Corvinus. does heavy part
exceptionally well and Miss Adelaide Fitz
Allen was satisfactory as Lucinda.
The production is handsomely staged
and quite I'm accord with the action. The
first act shows the Ottrium of the house
Of Cleonius I'm Rome, the second act is To-
Gated I'm the tent by the Princess Artemia
at Campagna. The third act is especially
brilliant, showing the interior OF the pai-
ace of the Emperor Dioletian, while the
fourth gives very realistic picture OF the
corridor Of the Coliseum.
Taking everything into consideration.
"The Light Eternal" is a piece that will
please. II has a fine moral effect and
while IL Is not intended TO be historically
correct IL tells its story well. and is prob
ably very near the true condition as ex-
listed I'm those ancient times