The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-15
THE AMUSEMENT REVIEW.
GRAND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES RA1AH.'

ing plays, with the closest attention to dramatic
and scenic proprieties. Such a production was
that of The Raiah" at the Grand last night,
and it was enjoyed by an intelligent and dis
eliminating audience. 1t is a comedy-dTama
from the pen of William Young, and it
has to mme it an interesting story,
clean and entertaining dialogue and effective sit
uations. The comedy element p~relominates,
and it is natural and pleasing, and where there's
a suggestion of tragedy or more pronounced feel
ing it is brought about without the aid Of forced
or unnatural effects. While it has not the
pathos Of Hazel Kirke" or ''Esmeralda, it is
infinitely a better written play than either, and
is likely to achieve rs lasting and unmis-
taxable a success as either. The characterize
tons are very good with the exception of the
two b~aristers, which are overdrawn. and the ex-
cellent acting Of the company bring them out
strongly. Mr.. Pitt, who plays the part of
Harold Wyncott, (the Raiah1 is a manly and
dignitied actor. and Miss Deaves, his opposite,
adds TO 4 strikingly attractive personal appear
ance excellent dramatic methods and fine pow
erS of expression. The two scenes between
them, were done admirably, particularly that Of
the last act, which afforded the best opportun-
tiles. Miss Enid Leslie. the original of the part
of Emelia, joined the present company but yes
terday, and this fact naturally detracted some
Whist from the smOothness of her impersOnation
last night, but her i-ngenuousncss, grace and
cleverness easily manifested themselves. Mr..
Hunters Grain was a little too turbulent, until
the last act, when he did eXcellently, and the ether
parts were very capably assumed, individual eX-
eellence being displayed by Mr.. Burrows, clever
light comedian. and George Bruenig, who did
Buttons. the servant, very nicely. The playwas
put on the stage with every attention to detail,
the glade scene being strikingly pretty. The
RajahH is a comedy that can be strongly
commended, and the acting of the company
as almost f~aultless. Admirers of "a good play
well played should attend one of the remaining
performances, either tonight, tomorrow after
noon or tomorrow night.
ENGLISH NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. sUAIMER BOARD
Frs"
There are plays and plays but it remained for
Our Summer Boarders, which is picturesquely
alluded to, on the bills, as a great farcical
comedy, and which was presented al English's
last night, to summarily dispel any doubt that
may have existed in the minds
of the thoughtless, as to which was
the worst play and the most exaspe1atingly bad
company before the public. The opinion has
been held before that if there was such a thing
as retribution in this world or the next, that Mr..
Elliott Barnes, who wrote Only a Farmers
Daughter, - and ''One Woman's Life, and then
gave Bertha Welby an opportunity to star, would
have Il great deal to answer for. but that he is a
bold. brave man is clearly established by the fact
that he has written and put before the public
Our Summer Boarders.7 1t is explained that
in doing this he had but one purpose. and
that was to create laughter. and he has succeeded
and may now retire, for it is really so bad that it
is almost funny. For sheer idiocy it has no
equal, and the only surprise is that it should
draw paying patronage. The company is like
wise appalling, with possibly two executions
Miss holo, who might be able to do something
deserving if she had AN opportunity, ana Miss
Mamie Conway, who seems to be Il bright little
woman. Mr.. Barnes himself acts, CT
thinks he does and, in the graphic
alone is worth the price of admission. The
sympathy Of all good people should be extended
tome member of the company, and that is the
leader of the orchestra. who is forced to see
every performance. rs a curiosity and an exam
pie Of what some people have the hardihood to
undertake, Our Summer Boarders' is worth see
ing. Manager English fortunately escaped by
precipitous flight out of town on Sunday, but if
Assistant Manager Anderson and the other en-
ployeS of the house last, there will be three more
performances, to night tomorrow afternoon
and tomorrow night.
THE PARK rHEATER.
The Earl dramatic combination inaugurated q
brief season of Legitimate drama at the Park
Theater last evening. Cheap prices were in
force, and a very fair audience were in attend
ance. Risen from the Ashes was the play
gwen. anu INC SldIS WGF6 NIdldul I4all anu
Agatha Singleton. The support was fairly cana
be. and the scenic effects enhanced the interest
III the performance. The fire scene in act two
was sufficiently realistic to evoke applause. To-
night, and at the matinee this afternoon, "Enoch
Arden Will be given.
THE MUSEUM.
Captain Bates and his wife, the giant and
giantess, who were recently married in Pitts
burg, and Willie Carver, a midget, who deserves
the name, are the new attractions at the Mu-
scum this week, and a good speciality perform
ance is given. The doors win be open at 10
O'Clock this morning to accommodate the stran-
gers who are in the city, and during the after
Room and evening as usual.
NOTES.
A San Francisco critic compares Jeffreys-
Lewis's acting in The Ruling Passion to the
struggles of a race horse harncssed to a dump
cart.
~'1cSorley's Initiation which is to be pre-
scented at the Park the latter part of the week. is
one of Harrigan & Harris successful Irish come
dies, the chief attraction being Mr.. B~raham'snew
songs, which always make u hit. The play is
an excellent one.
The Richardson Zouaves have sold over two
thousand tickets for Her tonement," the mill
tary dramaw which is to be presented at the Grand
the latter part of the week by the Brooks Il
Dickson company, which includes a brass band
of thirty pieces, a small army of "soldiers, etc.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chanfrau will be the attractions
at English's the last three nights of the week,
appearing at alternate performances in different
plays. The repertoire as announced is kit. the
Arkansas Traveller THE Bankrupts Wife"
Isabel Vane' East Lynnel and The Octoroon."
A good example of the art of putting things is
shown in the following. Clipped from "A Western
paper: ''Clara Louise Kellogg sang Home,
Sweet Home to the convicts in an Eastern
prison, and it 50 worked upon their feelings that
seven of them escaped and struck out for the
parental roof tree the same night"
When Messenger & Barton produced their new
play, "IIix's Fix, in Chicago, it made a brilliant
failure, which induced them to distribute thou
sands Of the following dodgers In obedience
to the unanimous opinion of the daily press. the
proprietors think OF changing ..o name of 'HiX's
Fix to ROT In sober truth this is about
the right thing, but it is the funniest rot you