The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-01
AMCSEMENTS.

0hAND MONlE ShloIOs
To those who have read and enjoyed Dumas's
novel, "Monte Cristo," anything like repro
duction of it in dramatic form would seem al
most impossible. But it has been thus repro
d1ced, and, as presented at the Grand Opera
house last night for the first time in this city,
the story had lost but little of its coherency and
less of it's interest In saying this, it is not in
tended to convey the impression that tho play
is one of classical construction, in strict
cord with "the dramatic unties" of which we
hear much and see so little, for it
is not IL Is matchmaking
PLY, however, not of the recent English
school, of which George R. Sims is the chief ex-
ponent, and the dramatist has shown remark
able cleverness in treating the story 80 as to
make the climaxcs and situations effective, while
much of Dumas's vigorous style and intensity is
strong interest, rather lugubrous and tragIcal,
to be sure, and like all melo-dramas altogether
improbable, but well calculated to keep the
closest, and sometimes painful attention of the
audience. With an inefficient company it would
have sufficient interest per Sc to repay attend
ance, but the people engaged In the present pre-
sentation peculiarly adapted to the parts
assigned to them, and are indeed capable of
playing almost any parts. Such artists as
James O'Neill, Harry Lee Gerald Eyre and
Anna Graham are not often seen together in
travelling company, and their efforts last night
were rewarded with enthusiastic applause and
two calls before the curtain. Mr.. O'Neill's
Monte-ChristO Ia a performance Of great force
and artistic finish, and there is probably no
other actor before the public who could do the
powers, and the versatility he displays in the
various DISCUSSES he assumes is espe-
in the third act, where he cOnfron ted
his brother, who had attempted to murder hi m.
also deserve special mention for their thorough
ness in less important parts There were but
three ladies in the cast. Miss Annie Graham,
whose previous appearance here was as star,
played the part of Mercedes with much intens-
ity, and Miss Brutone, in a character part, was
strikngy good, while Miss Lewis did the little
allotted to her acceptably. The scenery is new,
and some of it very striking, and the effects of
somewhat sensational character. "Monte
afternoon and tomorrow night. 1t is strong
play, excellently acted.
NOTES
Professor Meningitis beautiful fairy opera Of
1.-THE Naiad Queen" will be reproduced at the
Grand Opera-house the week of the 14th of May.
The Indianapolis Opera Company will give
three performances Of the opera of era Di-
avola" at the Grand Opera-house, May IL and
IL. william CASTLE of the Abbott English Opera
Company, has been engaged to assume the lead
ing role.
The Zoo was packed to the walls. as usual, last
night. and an excellent variety performance was
given, concluding with the sensational drama,
"Sayed from the Storm" with Maurice Oscar
Gray. W. T. Stephens, and their trained dogs, in
stellar parts.
Iuuduolpuih '-lfdulUlOU ana l1DltaLlOn,''
says Salvini, "are The two cankers now slowly
consuming the limbs of the English and Ameri-
can STAGE" TRADITION and imitation" we infer
from this, are the mons de plume of Tom Keene
and Frederick Paudng.
Laura 8. Keyser professionally known as
Louise Montague, the $4,000 beauty, is suing
her husband, Paul Allen, the song and dance
man, for divorce, in Philadelphia, on a charge of
desertion. Anybody who knows Louise wouldn't
blame Paul for deserving her.
James O'Nel. who is now playing the leading
part in the "Monte Crjsuo" company, at the
Grand, the original Jesus Christ in the
passion Play" when 1t was first brought out In
San Francisco. He has been re-engaged by Mr..
Stetson for next season, at a salary of $4,000
for forty weeks.
Next Friday and Saturday evenings, with Sat
urday matinee, Louis F. Baums beautiful ro-
mantle drama, "The Maid Of Arran," which was
SO favoraby received here in the early part of
the season. will be reproduced at the Grand
Opera-house, cast to the full strength of a COM
petent company. The piece is a dramatiZation
of William Blacks popular novel, "a Princess of
Thule" and those familiar with this work Will
at once understand the beauty of the play. The
company has been considerably strengthened
since ii last appeared here, and the soubrette part
ts now in the hands OF Marie Frances Mrs. Rob-
ert Green), a popular Indianapolis lady.