The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-26
THE AMUSEMENT REVIEW.
GRAND oPBRA-HoUsE-'M THE RANKS.

"
RAN oPERA-HoUsE-'IN THE RANKS"
An audience that very nearly exhausted the
seating capacity of the house, a mise en- scene
that in elaborateness and realism was surpass-
ingly good, and an enthusiasm that broke out re-
peatedly in uproarius applause, were the princi-
pal features of the first production of 'In the
Ranks in this city, at the Grand last night. The
play is by Henry Pettitt and George R. Sims,
and is an English melodrama of the approved
type, but in effectiveness of situation
and dramatic strength it is much
superior to either 1.-THE World
OF "Romany Rye" which preceded it. There is
a highly-elaborated plot, founded on sensational
incidents, and a story which grows in interest
with each successive complication, and they are
numerous. 1t has to do with the troubles and
misfortunes of Ned Drayton, a young man who
is falsely accused of completely in a crime, and
is arrested and imprisoned Just as he leaves the
altar with his bride. After he has served his
time, he goes into the army to redeem
his reputation, and while there, both he
and his suffering wife are subjected
to prosecutions and indignities of almost every
kind at the hands of a william who desires 70 get
rid OF him, and thus get possession of a vast es-
IaUe. But fetflDuUlOn, winch IS SLOW coming, at
last overtakes the guilty, and the innocence of
Drayton is established, preliminary to n r%estora-
ton OF his rights and a happy reunion with his
family. There are any number of exciting stu
ations and stirring Incidents, and the characteri-
cations are admirably drawn. Indeed, the small
character parts" are of fully as much interest
as those of the hero and heroine. The acting is
satisfactory throughout, and in several in
stances excellent. Mr.. Frank Weston, who
plays the leading part, is a manly young actor,
who knows how to be forcible without being too
violent. Miss Muldener's Ruth Herrick was
effective in the heavier scenes, but in others
was somewhat ungraceful and uneven. Miss
Sidney Cowelrs Barbara Herrick was well done,
and the chief comedy part was excellently
handled by Mr.. Howard, whose cockney dialect
was strikingly good. Mr.. Crawford did the
genteel villainy business so well that the
gallery Kissed to show their disapproval
of his wickedness, and the other parts were
creditably assumed, particularly these by Mr..
Nelson Decker, Mr. J. N. Drew and Mics Dora
Stuart.
The chief interest of the play, however, was
in its splendid mounting. All the scenes, even
to the small pieces, were evidently painted by
an artist, and the furnishings and properties
were complete and fitting. In the last three
acts the changes from one scene to another were
made in full view of the audience by an ingen-
ious arrangement that called forth much ap-
plause. ''In the Ranks" is we'll worth seeing if
for no other reason than on account of its fine
scenic effects. The play will run during the re
Mdllu6r OF the week, WIN maJlneeS tomorrow
and Saturday, and if the house is not crowded
at every performance it will be in the nature of
a surprise.
GILMoREis ZOO THEATER.
There was the usual large Monday night
audience at the Zoo Thester last night, and the
performance was received with much hilarity
and applause. The olio included the efforts of
jackson and Peaseley, plantation sketch people,;
the Gerry sisters, in vocalisms; Satsuma, a strik-
ingly good Japanese juggler; frankie Jones, a
clever child performer, and Lester and Walker,
sketch artists, the former being a funny comedi
an and the latter a singer of unusually good
powers. The performance concluded will the
well-worn Irish sketch, 'Muldoon's Picnic" the
leading parts being creditably assumed by
Edward. Heffernan and Charles Mcdonald. The
same bill will be given every evening during the
week, with matinees to-day, Thursday and Sat
urday.
The usual attractions at the three skating
Kinks are offered this week, and the patronage
continues to be very large.
Manager J. B. Dickson, of Brooks & Dicks on,
is in town looking after the production of I'm
the Ranks and visiting his family. He will
leave for Chicago to-day.
Haverly's Spectacular Minstrels, which have
been increased in numbers and generally
strengthened, will give a single performance at
Englishs tomorrow night.
AT the Wigwam rink this evening there will
be an exhibition of fancy skating given by Mr..
c. V. Pattison, the champion Of the Northwest,
and on Tuesday evening, March a, a dress ball on
skates will be participated in by the patrons of
this resort.
The attractions at the Dime Museum this
week, are the Fostell's sketch people; Meline
Bartine. vocalist; Loomis's dog circus; Frank Or
mand, the tattooed man; Victorella; George
Kurtz, German comedian; Leon, the female i'm
personator, and the three D~ashingtons.
Miss Anna Pixley will be at English's the
latter part of the week, and the opening per-
Torrance, Thursday night, cara. will be for
the benefit Of the local lodge of Elks, who are
selling a great number of tickets. Besides the
play several volunteers will appear in good
specialties, notably Miss Fannie Bernard, Miss
Dude Mcguire, Mr.. James Cummings and
others.