The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-07

dramatic event of great significance
The performance at Englishs last
night was a revelation of the possibilities
of the dramatic art Its salient points
great actor in fitting part, company, each
individual member of which seemed to display,
in accordance with the requirements of the
characters assumed those powers which have
made Mr.. Irving famous--a mise-en- scene that
in correctness and appropriateness puts to shame
any previous attempt of the kind ever made in
this city, and a consistent symmetrical and
thoroughly artistic presentation of a play of
great interest The opening piece, THE Bells"
is somber, tragical melodrama, the
action of which is based on the
remorse and fear of Matthias (AIr Irvingl, who
fifteen years before has murdered Polish Jew
for his money. He becomes rich and prosper
Gus, but is haunted by night and by day by the
imaginary ringing of the bells which were on
the horse that the victim drove. At the time of
the opening of the play Mathias's daughter is
about to be married, and the formal betrothal is
the occasion for much merry making, in the
midst of which Matthias again hears
the bells, but manages to partially
conceal his agitation. The development
Of the story is brought about by
a dream in which the guilty man sees himself on
trial for the murder. He is placed under the in
duence of mesmelism in the court, and there, in
the presence Of the judge and jury Matthias
describes the crime to the minutest details, suit
ing the action to the word and, on awakening
from his dream he is so overcome by the horror
and apparent reality of it that he falls dead.
In the production of the play by Mr.. Irving
the constantly recurring visions and the dream
of Matthias are not left to the imagination Of the
audience. but are represented on the
stage by most ingenious and
effective arrangement of lights and
scenery. In the last scene the stage and audito-
rum were darkened, but CHASTITY light is made
to follow Matthias wherever he goes, and he
alone can be distinctly. The effect
weird and startling beyond description. and
during its continuance the observer was so
hushed and intensely attentive. that when at
last the curtain fell, there was general sigh of
relief, followed by the most enthusiastic APP
plause. The scene was a marvel of stage man
agement and realistic acting, and made deep
impression. In the words of another with
such an effect on an audience, there can be no
quarrel with the technique by which it is pro
duced."
There are two striking things mani
Tested by Mr.. Irving in his acting,
originality and intellectuality Before he has
been on the stage long one recognizes the fact
that he is a master of his art and this conviction
grows with every word he utters and every
movement he makes The first impression is
apt to be unfavorable, for his personal appear
ance is not prepossessing, and his manners are
somewhat ungraceful, but his individuality is
soon lost and that of the character he is playing
asserted. His reading has a suggestion of
Anglicism, but is always forcible, and his
powers of facial expression are little less than
marvellous He takes advantage of every little
detail of emphasis or business that will serve to
heighten an effect, and throughout it is evident
that the excellence of his acting is due fully as
much to careful study and attention to that
subtle quality, indefinitely alluded to as genius.
The dream scene was made remarkably realistic
and vivid. No other actor could do it so well as
Mr.. Irving, and if we were to judge of his capa-
bilities by the single performance last night the
palm of absolute greatness must be awarded to
him.
"The Bells" is ne-part play, so called, and
the members of the company have but little to do,
but it was done excellenty Every part no matter
how small was well assumed and individual com
mendation is deserved by Miss COleridge, a
graceful young woman. and Mr. Ferries,
manly actor of excellent powers.
'The Bellies Stratagem," which concluded the
performance, was in some respects disappoint
ment, for Mr. Irvings part in it was of such
comparatively trivial nature that he really did
not seem to be doing anything BETTING him, but it
gave him an opportunity to display his undoubted
versatility, of which he availed himself, The
chief interest of the comedy, however, was the
appearance in it of Miss Ellen Terry. about
whom so much has been said and written. She
played an ingenue part-that of Letitia Hardy,
who is betrothed to Doricourt (Mr. Irving), and,
piqued at his apparent lack of love for her, re
sorts to various ingenious devices to bring about
a different condition of affairs. Miss Terry is
delightful actress. Her personal appearance is
most attractive and her methods are decidedly
charming. She is the embodiment of grace and
vivacity, and her methods are those of a cul-
tured and experienced actress. Much interest is
felt in her future appearances during the en-
gagement in parts where the requirements are
greater In 1.-THE Bellies Strategem," Mr.. Ter
riss played the part of Flutter admirably, and
other members of the company APP
peared to advantage, especially Mr..
Howe Miss Payne, and Miss Millward.
The costuming, particularly that of Miss Terry,
rich and in excellent taste In putting this
play on the stage only the ordinary house scenery
was used, and aside from its dinginess and
plainness, it was handled very awkwardly-a
fault that is sure to be remedied at future per