The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-07
ADJUSTMENTS.
anANp-nsHApows or A eREAr cIrY.'

GRAND-"sHADows OF A GREAT CITY,
At the Grand Opera-house last night the
initial production of the sensational melodrama,
1.-THE Shadows of a Great City was witnessed
by a large and discriminating first night audi
ence. The author is Mr.. L. r. Shewell, an
American, and the action of the play is laid in
America. The motif is furnished in the villainy
of George Benson, a gambling nephew of a
rich banker, Thomas Benson. The bankers
mind is poisoned against a daughter who has
married against his wishes, by the Vaccinations
of the wicked nephew. To further his
scheme, a worthy clerk Of the banker 1.-THE most
improbable conception in the play is got in
the tolls by the villain, and is thrown into jail.
The clerk is instrumental in rescuing the out
cast daughter of the banker, and at last circum-
vents the villain. This is a rough outline.
Apropos of the play, Mr.. Shewell has shown
rare constructive talent in his work, both in
dialogues, situation and mise en- scene. The
comedy elements are well balanced and happy
in invention, and his Characterization well
drawn. The situations are all strong, bar none,
and we'll sustained, and the climaxes exciting
and numerous, following each other in rapid and
unexpected succession. There is Is no
superfuity, no extraneous matter in
the play whatever, as it was carefully
rehearsed by Mr.. Joseph jefferson
The success of the play is due to its quick action
andpowerful climaxes. Mr.. Shewell has not
written a play appealing to the emotions object
lively, but has put togethersa series of stage pict-
ures that must move the most blase, by the In
tense interest of its situations. A halr-spllttlng
critique on the minor faults OF the play is I'M
necessary, and in justice to the author it must be
said that in THE Shadows of a Great City Mr..
Shewell has indicated the claim that managerial
stuff need not be wasted on British bombast.
Whatever may be the verdict elsewhere 1t is
predicted that the play will be the piece de re-
~sistance of the road next season, as 1t is far SUI
perior to 1.-THE World, 'Romany Rye" 'Sllver
King" ETC., and all melodramatic successes,
both in scenic effects and startling surprises. Of
the tableaux and tricks in the piece they are
new and numerous, and there is not one trite
setting in the play. The audience received the
play, actors and mountings with vociferous APP
plause. The strongest work in the play was
dono by Miss Annie Ward Tiffany in
the character part of Biddy Koran.
Her methods are natural and her
accent and action in keeping with the part. Mr..
George II. Edeson enacts the part of John Far
rem, q thief comedy and invests the part with a
quaint drollcry. 1t is a meaty part, and the gen
tleman is a rare "mugger.' Mr.. .. ii. Barr,
who made a hit in the production of THE
Strangers of Paris, " plays the part of the vii
lain, and does very clever work, as does also MIR,
B. II. Graham, Mr.. W. w. Allen and Mr.. w, II.
Burton. Miss Julia Stuart, who enacts a dual
role, is a very bright little actress. The rest of
the cast were satisfactory in their parts. The
performance went very smoothly and Mr.. Shew-
ell and Mr.. jefferson are to be congratulated on
the presentation last night. Shadows of a
Great City" will hold the boards of the Grand
the entire week.
The advance sale of seats for Hyde and Beh
mans Minstrels, who occupy English's Opera
house on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights,
opened yesterday. The company is said to be
very strong, headed by well known specialists.
The Paper Floor Rink will be open tonight.