The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-05
STAGE NEWS AND GOSSIP
Attractions Provided for Amusement
Seekers at the Theaters This Week.
"a Rag Baby" at the Grand. and Mr.. Joseph
Murphy at English's--Notes About
the Stage and Its People.

The most original and amusing of Mr.. Charles
II. Hoyt's successful musical comedies, "a Rag
Baby" will be presented at the Grand to-mor-
row, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and the
mere announcement will probably be sufficient
to draw large audiences, for the piece has al
ways been very popular here and theater goers
do not seem to tire of its absurdities- IL Is q
satire on the drug trade and incidentally upon
the prevalent sporting craze, the latter being
exemplifed by ''Old Sport very amusing
character, who is impersonated this season by
Charlie Reed, who is said to have made greater
hit in it than did Frank Daniels, who was the
first to play the part. Mr.. Reed is very original
and versatile comedian, who first made his rep
utation as q minstrel and has since appeared
with credit in comic opera (Ruddygore), farce COM
edy and burlesque. The company, aside from Mr..
Reed, is a very strong one Miss George Par
ker, who is playing Venus" is particularly
bright and clever young woman, who can sing
and dance we'll, and do various other things en-
t rtainingly. The other people are Miss Edith
tennessee, Miss Helen Reimer. Miss Fannie
tombstone. Miss Marie Horribly, Mark Sullivan,
an old time favorite. T. j. Cronen. the original
sBie Four" Albert Reddls w. Fl. Stedman, and
others. The piece this year is full OF new
music, business and specialties. All the old
amusing features. the three tramps, the pretty
school girl and others are retained, not to men
ton Handsome" the ugiest dog on earth
There is already good sale OF seats, and the
indications are for very successful engage
ment.
The noted Irish comedian, Mr.. Joseph Muir
ply, who easily stands at the head Of the char
acter actors of his school, will appear at En-
glishs the latter part of this week. this being
his first appearance here for three years On
Thursday evening he will appear in his favorite
play, kerry Cow" by Fred Marsden, piece in
which he made his wide reputation, and which
he has played continuously for moro than ten
years. On Friday evening George Fawcett
Rowe's new play, 1.-THE Donagh," a picture Of
Ireland as it exists to-day among the peas
antry and gentry, introducing panoramic views
of the Lakes of Killarney and other notable
effects, will be given On Saturday, matinee and
evening. Shaun Rhue,' in which Mr.; Murphy
given. Mr.. Murphy has tn . support OF that
talented actress, Miss Stella Te uton, and COM
petent company. In all his plays he introduces
his songs and epecalties, which have made him
famous. He is a comedian Of fine ability, and
as he is well liked by theater-goers. successful
engagement may be anticipated. The advance
sale will be gin on Tuesday morning.
new musical comedy, such pieces are gen.
orally termed, "Chip o the Ola Block" will be
seen at the Museum all this week. the engage
ment beginning tomorrow afternoon. The
piece makes particular dramatic pretensions,
but is said to be bright and entertaining withal.
and the vehicle for the introduction of musical
selections specialties and amusing features gen.
orally. The company has three stars, Miss Ada
Melrose a particularly clever and talented
soubrette, who can sing and dance and act as
we'll; Mr. R. L. Scott a well-known came
dian, formerly with "Mugg's Landing"
who plays an old sailor. the Commodore,
and Mr. Harry Mills, another well known
comedian. plays an English turtle. said to be a
very amusing part The play is by Herbert
Hall Winslow. and features of it's performance
are the new songs and specalties introduced.
Amone its incidents are burlesque upon life in
New York fiat, an attempt of novices to make
bread and the inhaling of laughing gas by a
number of people " no totally ignorant Of it's
qualities. The company has made a hit in the
piece in other cities. and it is likely to be re-
peated here. There will be the usual matinees
every day during the week. and there is already
good advance sale for the opening perform