The Providence News

A good many people will be almost tickled to death in the Providence Opera House the first four evenings of next week beginning Sunday. Lew Dockstader, the famous minstrel, and his company of entertainers will make merry and keep the blues out of town, for that length of time at least. Don't kick if you hear that a hen goes across the street because it wants to. It's a time-honored old joke and it always goes. Dockstader has a bundle of new songs and everyone who knows "Doe" knows that he can sing them further up than "g." By the way, that's a good idea of Dockstader's, starting in on a sacred concert Sunday evening. The big minstrel company will appear in all its strength in an appropriate program and visitors to the theater may rest assured that the evening will be especially pleasant. Those who know say that the regular performance is up to date and fresh as that bran new dollar bill you paid the ice man this morning. Dockstader's associates include droll Frank H. White, comedian; John C. Harrington, William Galfen and John S. Terry, singers; McIntyre and Heath "on the end," and several others we won't mention, but you'll be glad to see and hear them. There will be matinees Labor Day and Wednesday by these 40 performers.

Another very pleasant thing to tell you about is that a new comedy will be seen in the Providence Opera House the last three evenings and Saturday matinee of next week, and it isn't a case of "trying it on the dog" either. Tim Murphy is known as old Brander in "The Texas Steer"—as a matter of fact he made that Hoyt play the success it turned out to be, and he was a central figure in "The Brass Monkey" until his unique talent secured him better work. His new play has a peculiar and catching title. It is "Lem Kettle," and it was written by Henry Guy Carleton, which is a guarantee of its brightness. Carleton has written several attractive and meritorious plays, and "Lem Kettle" is said to be one of his best. At all events it will be interesting to note its development, and first nighters are anticipating a treat already. One of the best tests of an actor's strength is his hold on the memory of theatergoers. Everybody remembers "Tim." His versatility will be put to the test, for his role is that of a young, quaint and modest country inventor, the smart character of the village and the pride of the untraveled villager. He makes smiles chase the vagrant tears. The supporting company includes Sam J. Reed, Clarence Handyside, George Macomber, John E. Ince, James Murphy, Richard Cotter, Dorothy Sherrod, Lorraine Dreux, Clara Thropp, Sadie Stringham and Marie Boxell. The play will be enhanced with special scenery by John H. Young.

And there are lots of other good things coming to the Providence Opera House. New, too. Beginning Sept. 10, and remaining for three evenings and Wednesday matinee, Thomas Q. Seabrooke, one of the funniest and most accomplished comedians on the stage, will be seen in his new musical burlesque, entitled "Tobasco." It is reputed to be "the hottest thing that ever happened," and it will be put upon the stage gorgeously. No need to assure this, as hundreds of theatergoers will remember the elaborateness of the "Isle of Champagne" last season. It was one of the most pleasurable performances of the year, and it is said that "Tobasco" surpasses it in every respect. If it does, the Providence engagement will be profitable.

After "Tobasco" another notable musical fantasy will be presented, and it will come here bran new to Providence Opera House. It's a Boston Museum success and everyone who knows anything about Manager R. M. Field and his fine Museum organization, knows that it can be nothing but a genuine success. "Prince Pro Tem" has had a big run in Boston and the reason is obvious. It is bright and laughable, two prime requisites for these depressing times. Its author is R. A. Barnett who constructed "1492." The cast will include Miss Annie Lewis, who will be remembered as starring last season in the "Dazzler"; Miss Fannie Johnson who was the "Venus" of Rice's opera of that title; Miss Josie Sadler, who was the wild "Rosie" in the presentation of "Prince Pro Tem," last season; Mr. Fred Lennox, who was also in the original cast in "Prince Pro Tem," having created the part of Jimmie Tompkins, will again assume the part this season; Mr. George Marion, who for the past two seasons has been starring in Hoyt's "Brass Monkey"; Mr. Charles Kirk, the original King Ferdinand in Rice's "1492"; Harry Davenport, of Frohman's "Charley's Aunt" Company; the Verdi Quartet, Bijou Four and a large male and female chorus under the direction of Mr. John Braham, the best of comic opera conductors. The opera will be presented with new and superb costumes, scenery and appointments.

"Living pictures" have caught on at Lothrop's Opera House and next week Manager Chase will present another batch of entirely new studies. The subjects will be carefully selected and nothing will be offered to offend good taste. Indeed, the management has so much faith that a popular desire has been reached that the living picture part of the bill will be given prominence. In order to maintain the present good opinion, extra efforts will be made to have the pictures up to metropolitan standard. The dramatic part of the bill will consist of Mortimer Murdock's five-act melodrama, entitled "A Brave Woman." As the title suggests, its story unfolds a strong love interest, where high and low life are co-mingled. The situations admit of several sensational scenes, including the fisher's cottage on the coast of Northumberland, and a storm scene during which the heroine rescues her father-in-law from drowning. The working of the rescuer's boat will be interesting. The drama will introduce George E. Bryant to Lothrop's patrons. He is a forcible actor, adapted to strong melodramatic parts. J. Gordon Edwards, John F. Ryan (another new comer), John E. Ainsley, James M. Hall, Harry Wilson, Cameron Clemens, Miss Lora Addison Clift, Miss Jennie Swift, Miss Annie Kingsley and Miss Frankie Bell will also be in the cast. Drop in any time. Performances given every afternoon and evening.

The form divine will be in evidence at the Westminster Theater next week, when the Rose Hill English Folly Company will begin an engagement. This frisky organization has been seen at this theater before, and its program always seemed to please the patrons of the house. "Living Pictures" are to be presented by living pictures and they will be dandies if the advance agent is to be believed. Rice & Barton are running the show and they know a thing or two about the business. "Sylphlike beauties will flit in dainty gavottes forming a whirlwind of female loveliness," is the way the agent puts it. Seems to be to the point, too, if the program suggests anything at all. There will be French quadrille dancers, specialty performers, tableaux, sensational dancers and a heap of other things likely to keep the audience entertained. "The Fakir's Daughter" is the principal burlesque and the living picture is a hot favorite on the bill. The theater will be open every afternoon and evening.

Next week, "The London Belles" will jingle merry tunes at the Westminster.