The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-13
AMUSEMEN rs.

CHARLOTTE THOMPSON IN "PHILLIs DENHoR"
AT ENGLIsH's
Charlotte Thompson appears tonight for
the frat time in "Phillis Dsnhor," in the
new play of that title. The plct is taken
from the story of Ozark Days" The scenes
are laid in England and France; it is
romantic and full of power. Two of the
seer es-that OF the Murder in the Snow
Storm" in England, and the Siege of Paris,''
during the Franco-Prussian War, are
startling and vividly interesting. AS has
been represented, the company possesses
beautiful and appropriate costumes for cash
separate production. 'Romanoh"
played to good audience last night. The
star and her excellent support acted their
parts in highly creditable manner. In the
prison scene Miss Thompson's talent
showed Itself 10 splendid advantage "Phillis
Denhor'' will he repeated at the matinee
tomorrow. and in the evening East
Lynne" will include the engagement.
"FANTAsN" AT THE GRAND.
With the heralding of the wonders of
"Fantasma," the audience which greeted its
trst performance at the Grand expected
much, and anything less than something ex-
traordinary would have been unsatisfactory.
Bat the most vivid imagin alton was h0rt of
the marvellous mechanical effects, the droll-
cry of pantomime and the attractive special
ties. 1t is equal In gorgeousness to any Of
the scenes of Black Crook" at its best
while devoid of the Objectionable features
of that spectacular play. "Fantasma' is
wholesome throughout. lit reaches
the very acme of spectacular pan
tomime. The audience is transported
into wonderland where the fairies hold do
minion. Grand and beautiful tableaux
strike the eye with admiration. A realistic
cyclone illustrates tbs forces of nature ia
anger, the arctic regions are reflected with
scenes illustrating the hardships of the ex
plorers. A sword combat Of one man against
four thrills the lockers on as has no SUCH
feat ever beforeseen, and a thousand anc
one other just such startling effects "Faa
tssma" is not exclusively a pantomine
Words have been written for two of its char
acters ("Fantasma," the good fairy queen
and "Zsmaliel," the bad King of the Realm
of Heads) by Charles Il. Hoyt. 1t is, Of
course, the usual story of the Demons per
secution of two young lovers who, befriend-
ed by the good Fairy Queen, triumph
over their arch.enemy, and at the same
time overcome the prejudices of t1sir
irate psrsnts But to secure this result II
takes TWO acts and a hsrlequinade-nine
scenes in all-and one can hardly count tue
adventures and misadventures detailed by
remarkably clever company in the short
showing some of the novel effects introduced
in "Fantssma," We have a demon dropping
out of the clouds to make havoc in rustic
village. q witch's chariot, q new kind of
magic hell, life-like bull with Ieachant
for breaking and entering a practical
bridge with a convenient tap for drowning
the clown, a real stage cyclone, deY,ls
garden wherein vegetables change TO
human heads, mysterious coucn
which man ufactures occupants TO
der, a transportable CRATE fire with
happy faculty Of placing itself under the
drowsy clowns neither parts, a peripRtetic
chslr, a candle troubled with pedestrianism,
aod score more of tricks aud effects not
now recalled, but all Of which add to the
com ple 'eness of this last venture of the Han
ions. The allegorical finale of the first act,
too. is a great factor in enthusing the house
1t Is q series of tableaux representing the
progress of science as applied to North Pole
explorations, and the cheers that greet the
Greedy party picture TO the
front, Loyalty eDough-attsst at once
the patriotism of the auditors and the
cleverntss of the Hznlons in working
ny the effect. 1t should be under TODD
that "Fantssna" is the idea and invocation
of the Hsnlon's and, accordingly, TO the
Hanlons belong the honors Of the produc
ton. Those,who are famlli ar with the Co..
tineDtal method OF doing pantomimes vii
hear with pleasure that nothing yei Ssen "a
this country has so closely approached >.
fore IN methods as has "Fantasma." The
company of pantomimsts proper are en-
tiIely new In America, and consists OF Mons.
Louis Zzarello, who did the white face
clown "PiccO and whose make up and en-
tire methods may De regarded as new to our
pantomime stage; of Sig. Gerolamo Pas.
torini, the Harlequin and young lover
whose sword combat with four an
tsgonists, all attacking at once,
caused a perfect furore among the male
portion of the audience; Sig. Allesaudro
ABeiolini, .Picos" chum, aud "Panta-
LOOM" quiet but effective and graceful
pantomimIst; of Signeripa Rosins Maschi,
the prosecuted heroine and subsequently
happy "Columbine''; of Sigs. Lorenzo Cat
tanio and Pietro Mare, the irats parents OF
the youg people; and OF Sig, AdolDh Roccar-
ds, who. as the Demon Sprite," gave evi-
dence OF very satisfactory sinaositv aud
velocity of movement. Nat Jones did yeo
man service; be was the nominal stage
manager, the bad King and the "Ffigii
Friend" and he mi ht have played three ~
four more parts il he had had the time "a
his disposal. Kate Davis delivered the he
roic lines of 'Fantasma" in
most satisfactory manner. The minor
roles we're we'll sustained, an
the small people were grouped we'll snJ
moved about with plenty of lite-a crest -
sential in piece OF this character. We ba'
nearly forgotten Phil Purcer, Tho does thr--
or four animals in excellent style; indie 4
be is the best We have seen IN the line o
animal deliBeators. John A. Thompson
new scenery is artistic and elegant, and the
machinery and properties are naturally
good, because they are from the models of
Robert 7. Cutler, himself an old time psntD
mimist. Standing room will be at a premium
during the remainder OF the engagement, 10
night, tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow
night.