The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-24
PROVIDENCE OPERA HOUSE

1t is matter OF regret that Miss Min
ME Dupree and that delightful comedy
or fantasy, 1.-The Road to Yesterday"
did not choose more popular theatrical
time for their visit to this city than
Christmas week. For II Is a most charm
ing combination, that OF this popular ac-
tress and this romantic though odd story.
Miss Dupree has been favorite here
as elsewhere. In the play in which she
now may be seen she has part that ap-
peals TO all who are not bothered over
mach with latter day problems. True
there Is bit OF problem in IL. but not
enough To smother all the freshness and
wholesomeness I'm the life its depicts. The
idea OF reincarnauon only seems like a
story told to children in this play. Not
but what the story has vigor enough and
old scenes from histories live again. That
would not be a strange kind of a story
to tell children either, for they like the
very worst and the very best characters
In their own fairy tales and histories.
Carlyle told us In his all-powerful way
that no age of romance ever seems an
age OF romance to itself. Tho Road 10
Yesterday" shows us that If we could live
back in those days so full of amours
and supposed charm we would be quite
uncomfortable and sigh for the good
times of the present. There Is plenty of
romance about The Road to Yesterday
but the best OF II deals with the present
their brains and tonic for their hearts in
the good they can do find romance, love
and all sweet things close at hand "'rhe
Road to Yesterday is simple play in
one way. All OF us have had our dreams.
One young woman's dream OF the past is
told here In a most delightful way. and
as good fortune has II, the waking part
Ia superior to tho dreaming. How TO
have carried out the idea of the play
better than Beulah NJ, Dix and Evelyn
q. Sutherland have done, Ii would be
hard to imagine. No one that admres
a charming story with not only idealism
Yesterday" To tell the story OF the fun
OF the play would be to spoil some of the
theatre goer's pleasure. one wants 10
60 on this journey with open minds ana
not a too complete guide book. The jour
ney Is worth starting on with bandaged
eyes. for there IL plenty TO see once the
curtains OF time roll back.
The company that Miss Dupree has
gathered around her Is one worthy OF the
piece. One sees the members I'm sharply
oontrasted characters. IL IL something 10
make changes that normally took three
centuries to make inside of % minutes.
Still there In so remarkably good work
shown by these vivid contrasts.
Robert Dempsey has one OF the hard
cst parts In the play. for he Is the one
that according to the dream following
Midsummer's Eve, leads Elizabeth Tyr
reli back to "The Road to Yesterday" In
all the varying requirements OF the char
acters he assumes Mr.. Dempsey shows
his cleverness. lie has won new laurels
In this part.
Julia Blame achieved notable success
last night In the part of Mother Gillian.
the witch Of over three centuries back.
Her work received the unstinted appro-
val OF the audience. Eleanor Moretti as
the younger witch or gypsy gives hne
impersonation of a Wild character OF WHO
days. Her work was marked by earnest
ness aud care and she was indeed In
making tho old times OF the dream live
again.
fore those above-named, for one remem-
bers the whole picture and must consider
the surroundings OF the chief figure As
Lady Elizabeth Tyrreil, Miss Dupree is
indeed the central figure of the dream,
and the vicissitudes of the character In
dream days are enough TO call on Miss
Dupree exerting all her power In the ro-
mantle line TO the full. She Is wanting
In no part OF the work required. Her act
ing was charming and realistic. and that
Il delighted the audience last evening was
quickly evident. Mr.. Cary also In every
way satisfies.