The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-02
ANUS EMENTS.
GRAND PERA-HoUsE-MoDJEsKA IN 'CYMBE-
JINEr

GRAND RA-HOUSE-MoDJESKA IN 'CYMBR-
LINE"
The engagement of Nine. Modjeska, the dis
tingushed Polish actress, began at the Grand
Opera-nouse last night, and the audience that
assembled to greet her was most complimentary,
both in composition and attention, the occasion
IN many respects having the characteristics of
representative society event. "Cymbeine,"
one of shakspeare's tragedies that is but little
known TO Uheater-goers, for it is but seldom pre-
scented, was gwen, and, although the perform
ance closely watched and received with
every indication of favor 1t is probably true that
Its artistic excellence contributed very much
more to this result than any at
traction the play might possess, even to
people who were totally unfamiliar with it.
Without stopping to consider the story of the
play, II may be said shat its dramatic possibili-
ties are almost iniuite and this alone will atone
for the questionable taste displayed in produc-
Ing 1t. There is reason to believe, however,
that it is not destined to have any great
popularity as an acting drama, for, al
though it is essentially ShakspeariaD,
If the term may be SO used, it
is altogether too luguhriOus and gloomy for pop
ular favor. M0djeska's impersonatiOn of Im0-
gen, the wrOnged wife, cannot be too highly
praised, for it is performance of astonishing
force ana Intelligence. The part demands a ver-
eminent degree. The varying shades OF emotion
and passion. of love, jealousy and righteous in
dlgnation were portrayed with a fidelity to ma
ture and an artistic discrimination that few 9th
ers could equal, certainly none excel. She Is
great artistic, the greatest, perhaps that speaks
the language.
Nine. Modieeka is supported by competent
company. Mr.. Maurice H. Barrymore, who has
an excellent reputation as a leading. played
the part of Loonatus with much force, although
his reading, at times. was strangely lerky and
unnatural. Mr.. Frank Clements's 1achemo was
excellently done, the scene in Imngene's cham
Der being particularly Impressive. Smaller parts
were credttably assumed by Mr.. Cooper, Mr..
Cleary, Mr.. Dawson, and Mrs. Pennoyer. andlthe
cast throughout was good Tonight "Adrienne
Lecouvreur" will be given, with "Frou-Frou"
for the matinee, and "As You Like IT. tomorrow
night.
ENGLIsH's OPERA HoUsE-RoBERT MOwADE.
Robert McWade and company presented the
drama Franz Herschelle," with MIR. McWadein
the title role, to a fairly good audience at En-
glish's Opera-house last night. The play is after
the fashion of the "Working-grl's Dream"
three of the five acts being dream, in which
Franz gets a foretaste of what is to happen if
he allows his greed for gold to take full posses
sion of him, as it is about to do The scenes of
the drama are laid in New York, from the years
IT'S TO 1865. and TO accord with the period the
characters have an old Dutch flavor. 1t is here
fore strange anachrOnlsm that the role of Franz
should parlake so strongly OF the characteristics
of Old ScrOoge. of Dickens's beautiful story "A
Stein should so markedly suggest Bob Cratohit
and that even the nephew who wished Uncle
Scrooge merry Christmas should walk into the
second act. The likeness WAS so strong that
perhaps people IN the audience might have
thought the author Of Franz Herscheue" had
done some very bold crihbing when the uncle
said to Nephew Otto, who bids him q merry
Christmas, keep your Christmas in your way
and witl<eep mine" and to Phil, who, want
ing holiday, protests that it only comes once "a
year. "Weli, that's no excuse for picking my
pocket"
The play ran smoothly, and was well received
by the audience. IL Is clean and wholesome,
and carries a moral with it-and the majority OF
PLAYS carry few morals of any kind. Mr..
McWade is all actor of great merit, and the fire.
qnent changes in the character of Franz, from
youth re aud from age to youth again, re-
oure the versatility for which he is noted The
play Will he repeated tonight. "Trip VanWin-
ke." in which Mr.. McWade has achieved his
reputation, (and in his own version. which diff
fers materially from that of JeffersOn,) will he
given at the matinee on Saturday and Oh Satur-
day Light.
NEXT WEEKS ATTRACTIONS.
At English's next Monday and Tuesday even
ings. Lizzie May Ulmer will appear In Joaquin
Mer's Forty -nne,'' followed by Hayden &
Philipss Royal Japanese on Wednesday night,
and Kate Clsxton in "Sea of Ice" for the re-
mainder of the week. AT the Grand Mr.. and
Mrs. George Knight VIII play "Baron Rudolph"
the first part of the week, aud 1.-THE Power of
Money" combination the latter part. At the
Park, Harry Miners specially company will be
the attraction all week