The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-30
ASSESSMENTS.
ENGLIsH's OPERA HoUsE-MR. Min A
HAMLET"
screams.

ENGLIsH's OPERA HoUsE-MR. MILN AS
HAMLET"
Mr.. George c.. Min, the tragedian, began
an engagement of three nights at English's last
night TO a fair audience, appearing as Hamlet.
Mr.. Min is a new candidate for histrionio
honors. and his experience as an actor has been
of only a few months duration. The fact that
he abandoned a leading position in the ministry
for the stage. and that his professional career
has thus far been unex pectedly success
full, makes his appearance in any
city an event of unusual interest.
1t is easy to understand that a man with Mr..
Mlln's lack OF professional training and expcr-
pience, in assuming to act such a part as Ham
ler, is obliged to combat Old-established preju-
dices and dramatic traditions that form an
almost impossible barrier in the pathway Of
progress. He must indeed be a phenomenal
actor, gifted with surprising genius, who can go
to the head of his chosen profession at one am
bilious leap. 1t is no disparagement to Mr..
Min to say that lie has failed TO do this, for it
would have been unprecedented had he sue
cceded. His friends make a lamentable mistake
greatest Of traredisns." for it is not in
him now to sustain the claim. What years
OF study and training may do remains to be
seen, nut through them alone can Mr.. Min hope
for lasting fame. II can truthfully be said that
his Hamlet is a surprisingly good performance.
He has a scholarly and intellectual conception Of
the part, and his reading is marked by much
originality, and at times brilliancy. His per-
sonal appearance is much in his favor-he has a
ihl EiiluCNnb NOlCtg OetPy ElCu anu eOuOIOub-Dub
his features, while striking, are wofully deficient
In the power of expression. His acting is like
that of ambitious amateurs IN many places,
and is at all times strained and over
vehement. In that is his chief fault, and it must
be Iemedied before he can hope to be considered
in the same plane with Booth, Irving, McCul-
Tough, Barrett, or even the lesser lights, Warje
and Keene. Mr.. Miln's Hamlet is too lugubriOus,
too melodramatic. He is almost as tragical in
the scene with Ophelia as he was in the closet
scene. Again, his representation lacked that
discriminating reserve which the part demands;
Hamlet was not disposed to be garrulous and
familiar; he was a prince, and never forgot it
but Mr.. Min evidently did. The above are a few
of the most striking faults of the per-
Torrance, and they are mentioned in the
mosG kindly spirit. MI. Min is
a gentleman OF great ability ana fine attain
ments. He has had the courage to embark in n
hazardous voyage, and he deserves all the sue
cess ne may attain.
The company engaged in the support is but
aYerage-a fact that can be attributed TO the cir
cllmstances under which they were gathered to-
gether. Four of them, Mr.. Wallace, Mr.. Mon
tague, Mrs. Pike and Miss Benson, appeared to
the best advantage. Tonight Mr.. Min will ap-
pear as "Richelieu" and as "Iago" tomorrow
afternoon, with "Hamlet" for the concluding
performance tomorrow night.
RAN oPERA-HoUsE-MILToN MOBILES.
Mr.. Milton Mobiles, an actor who is almost I'M
known here, began an engagement Of three
nights and a matinee at the Grand last night, in
his own play, Interviews" In 1t he assumes
the character of newspaper reporter, who is
the hero of various startling adventures, and
finally becomes rich, influential and all that
sort OF thing, through his ~oWn ingenuity and
quick wit. Mr.. NObles's impersonation may be
In accord with the popular opinion concerning
that long suffering ana much abused individual,
the reporter, hut it certainly has
but little resemblance to the genuine
article. II Mr.. Mobiles intended his play to
faithfully represent the local newsgatherer as
he really exists, it is a dismal failure. If he
intended 1t for a burlesque, IL is something of a
success, for IL affords many opportunities for
If he expects favorable comment from the
press he should be careful to explain that
"Interviews" is merely a burlesque, for no sane
reporter ever acted as does the one in that play.
rule-not imnudent deadbeats and dwelling
idiots. Mr.. Mobiles Is an actor OF considerable
experience and fair ability, and his efforts
in the play are productive of much
merriinent. His company is fully adequate to
the parts assigned them. Miss Mobiles and Miss
Evans are especially clever, the latter being ex-
ceedingly graceful and clever. ''Interv1ews'
will be repeated tonight and tomorrow after
noon, with 9TH Ph9nix' for tomorrow night.
NOTES.
The drama Avenged" is the leading attrac-
tion at the 200 this week, and the crowd WAS so
great last night that scores were turned away.
The play is preceded by an entertaining olio.
The sale of seats for the engagement Of the
Hess Opera Company, at the Grand the last
three nights of the week, will begin at the Grand
to-day. The company is numerically and artis-
tically strong.
MI. Van Horn, the cOstumer for the Manner.
chOr carnival, arrived yesterday with a large
stock, which will be displayed in the room ad-
Joining the entrance TO English's to day and dur
promises 20 be a great success.