The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-18
KEITH's THEATRE.

No one who saw the audience at Keith's 8
last evening could accuse Providence
people OF being cold or undemonstratlve
There surely was enthusiastic applause
enough to please the most enthusiastic.
But every bit OF u was deserved, for the
Albee stock companys presentation OF
that stirring play, "Raffles." or''rhe ANA
teur Cracksman" was worthy OF hearty
applause The pay itself is an excellent
one-the best detective play OF recent
years--and the Albee company gave a
prese ntation OF II that was up TO it's
standard Not even kyr1e Bellows COM
rany which played this play for three
years, gave a better performance than
these capable stock company players. and
In some respects IL was better than the
performance by the original company.
Most people are familiar with the ex-
citing adventures Of the gentleman burg
lar who Is the hero of this play. and of
his unhappy love affair his loyal chum,
Bunny. and of his being tracked down
by the alert Capt. Bedford after the theft
OF the famous Melrose necklace. The play
presents these adventures in a particular
ly interesting manner, with several sur
prising innovations, notably the very eli
max OF the play, when Raffles cheats
justice In a very unexpected manner. Mr.
lngersoll gave an ideal impersonation Of
the fascinating character. In fact 1t Is
doubtful II he has ever done anything bet
ter. III was very evident that he was
thoroughly In sympathy with every phase
OF the mans character. and he showed 10
a nicely the nonohalant grace OF demea-
nor cool, easy enunciation, culture and
chfvalry. generosity and resourcefulness
that are characteristic of Mr.. Hornungs s
hero.
There was real feeling in voice and
manner I'm the scenes with Gwendolyn
and Bunny, and the scenes with Capt.
Bedford were equally effective. Robert
uQs..lf a,.1 df1afr 10
Even with the remembrance OF f. NJ. Hol-
lands remarkable portrayal OF this role
still fresh In ones mind. Mr.. Cummings
impersonation caused one TO become en-
thusiastfc about his cleverness. IL was
a splendid piece of character acting and
was delightful in its deft display of
hurnor and undercurrent of shrewdness
Bunny was played with pleasing boyfsh
loyalty and impuisiveness by George
Stuart Christie, whose charm or person
ality and naturalness made him admir-
ably fitted for the role.
Adele Block played Gwendolyn with
charm and womanliness, and Leah Wins
low played Mrs Vidal with force and
artistic fnesse Miss Stockton imperson-
ated Lady Ethel breeZily, and Mr.. Harris,
for the first time this season without dis
guise, made the most OF a small role as
Lord Crowley as did Miss Reimer as Lady
Melrose Berton Churchill gave a very
clever haracterization of the difficult
role OF Crawshay. investing II with just
the right amount OF brute force, and Lora
Rogers was exceptionally good as Marie.
the French maid. which she played with a
cunning and defiance that was excellently
assumed. All the other members of the
company were excellent in the roles as
signed them The stage settings were
very attractive and the performance was
a pleasingly smooth one.
"Raffles" will be continued every af-
ternoon and evening this week, with The
Darling OF the Gods in preparation for
next week.