The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-20
ADJUSTMENTS.

GRAND NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND FOE"
Mr.. William j. Seaman, a young and exceed
ingly promising comedian, began an engage
ment of three nights and a matinee at the
Grand last night to an average attendance, pre-
senting Mr.. BARLEY CampbeI's new comedy
drama, Friend and Foe" 1t proved to be an
interesting but not especially strong play. al
though some parts of it are admirable in con-
ception and development. 1t is by no means
Mr.. CainpbeH's best work, and it bears evidence
of hasty and somewha slovenly preparation.
The scene Is laid in France and the action is
based upon Incidents of the Franco Prussian
war. 1t is IA spirited drama, with several strik-
ing situations ana a pretty love
story gracefully interviewer, and
and much high flown sentiment to which Mr..
Campbell is so addicted. Mr.. Seaman assumes
the character of Carroll Moore, an Irish Fad of
the conventional type. With only a few years
experience he has become an actor of considera-
Bile distinction, ana the future is full OF promise
Tor hlln. He has AN attractive stage presence,
graceful manners and u splendid voice. He has,
to "a marked degree, those characteristic meth
DDS and personal magnetism That have made
such stars as Mr.. Emmett famous, and he ls GER
tainly beth a better actor and vocalist than the
latter. His Interpretation of the part he as
sumed last night was original and striking, and
incidentally ne sang a number of very
pretty songs of his own composition, and
sang them very sweetly. His Peek-a-0oo is one of
of The cleverest things heard here for a long
time. Mr.. SEAMAN is capably supported, the eff
forts of MIR. Hawkins Miss Arnold and Miss Ali
son deserving especial mention. "FrIend and
Foe" will be repeated tonight, tomorrow after
noon, and tomorrow night for tile benefit of the
Uniform Rank, X. off 1t is a deserving enter
taIment.
PARK THEATER-MME. GEIsrINGER.
The initial performance of the comic opera
"Tr0mpette; or, the Cardinals Foe" was given
last night at The Park Theater by the Geistinger
Opera Company TO both u large and select audi
ence. The libretto is the work of II. Meilhac and
L. Halery, and, while there Is bur little thread to
the story, the dialogue is clever, ana at times
absurdly comic. The music is by Charles
LecOcq, and while not equal to his best
efforts, contains some sweet airs and strong aud
sparkling choruses. Madame Geistinger both
agreeably surprised and disappointed. Her voice
showed the result of long and careful training,
and In the lower register her notes were pure,
clear and sweet, but her voice seemed to fail her
whenever a high note was to be reached. Her
stage presence and manner were impressive and
graceful. The principals of the cast were evenly
good, without being noticeably great. The chO-
rus was small, but contained suffi lyric
ability to satisfactorily render the music. The
introduction III the last act of seven female vio-
nnists was a novel feature of the performance.
There is a probability that Geistinger will again
visit this city this season.
NOTES.
Mrs. Lsngtry's engagement win begin at the
Park tonight with GAS You Like It." to be fol.
lowed tomorrow night by "The Honeymoon"
The indications are that every seat in the house
Will be taken at both performances, as large del
egaJions are coming in from other cities.
Tonight and tomorrow night HaTerly's min
strels will appear at EnElish's. The company is
IA consolidation OF the old organization of the
same name and Hague's English Operatic
Mlnstrels, and the entertainment given ia said
to be OF a very superior character. The last
three nights Of the week the Wilbur Opera Com
pany, a favorIte organization here, Will be the
attraction, in f"Patience," "Onvette," pirates
of Penzance' and "MascOtte." The company is
said to be very strong this year.
Nine. Modjeska Countess Bozenta), who is re-
garded as the leading artistic of the age, will APP
pear at the Grand Opera house the last three
nights of the week in GAS You Like It,"
"Odette," Camille" (matineel, and Twelfth
Nine. Modieska played to the largest weeks
buiness that any dramatic attraction had ever
known in this city, and there is every reason TO
believe that her present engagement will be
proportionately successful, as the advance sale
Is very large. She is supported 10y Maurice Bar
ryInore, Frank Clements and a capable com
u