The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-26
THEATRICALs IN THE OPEN AIR.
How Fashionable People in London Amuse
Themselves.

Themselves.
London Correspondence Philadelphia Times.
History repeats itself occasionally with varia-
tons. This open air dramatic performance Idea,
with characters played by members of the arts
tocracy is sort of Renaissance of poor Marie
Antolnette's acting of shepherdesses and SOU
bretteS at the Little Trianon, near Versailles.
True, Lady Archibald Campbell has not sue
ceeded In engaging for her troupe of pastoral
players at the Coombe House the services of any
Queen; but the part of Amoret in THE Faith
fulle Shepherdesse' is taken by the Princess
HELEN of Kapperthala, a young lady who looks
and speaks like charming English girl. and
who is said to be real begun Quite simple
ana pastoral she appears, this Indian Princess
in classic drapery of yellow, with sweet pale
face and flowing hair The contrast between
her and her shepherd lover Lady Archibald, is
great, for Lady Archibalds figure is tall and
commanding, and IN playing male characters
she has laid to heart Rosalinds advice, to have a
smashing and mannish air If you will take
the trouble to read Fletcher's ''Faithtulle Shep-
herdesse' you will at once see how very carefully
the play had to be edited to admit of its being
performed before an English speaking audience
of to-day. Indeed, the dialogue itself would
have been nothing apart from the exquisite songs
and choruses written for it by the Rev Mr. Bat
son. The Princess of Wales sent for this rever-
end gentleman and congratulated him on the
beautiful music he had composed "Ah, said
Mr.. Batson; lit is not every composer who can
boast Of being congratulated by Princess who
is also doctor of music"
Nature is an unapproachable scenic artist for a
pastoral play. TO fall into rhapsodies over the
lovely outdoor scene would consume too much
space. Imagine every feature of rural beauty,
with cloudless sky, and not the fantest suspic-
ion OF wind or dust And the audience The fam
lily group of royalties, the Prince and Princess
of Wales and their five children; and behind
them a serried mass of notabilites, artist oc:atic,
pictorial, literary, and what not. The drive to
Coombe on the first day of the performance was
as delightful as any part of the entertainment
The Prince and his sons drove down on the Earl
of Flies drag; the Princess went in royal car
riage with her daughters, accompanied by sew
eral female members of the aristOcracy. Coombe
House was once the seat of the Earl of Liver
pool, but was sold and is now used as hydro
pathic establishment. Lady Archibald Camp
bell lives close by in Coombe Cottage, and here
the Prince and Princess visit her. after the open
air performances, and have tea before returning
to town. hear that some of the rooms at
Coombe Cottage are beautiful One is a red
room; everything in the room is red in color of
varying shades The effect is said to be not at
all glaring but beautifully soft and rich
Another room is ''the sea she'll" not tint in it
but those seen in the inner side of a sea she'll
Lady Archibald paints the walls of these rooms
herself She is young tall, and artistic looking
Whisters portrait of her feature of last
years Grosvenor. On that she was
dressed in black, wore a sable shoulder cape, a
round hat and low shoes of russell leather.