The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
ABOUT PLAYS AND PLAYERS
A Good Variety of Attractions at the Lo-
cal Theaters During This Week.
Sol Smith Russell and Frank Mayo at the
Grand. 'sNatural Gas" at English's, and
Lolita Church at the Museum.

Mr.. Sol Smith Russell, who appears at the
Grand the first part of this week. opening with
q New Years ma tinee tomorrow afternoon, is
deservedly one Of the most popular comedians
on the American stage. His humor is so genial
and cl can, and his methods SO natural that he Is
almost irresistibly funny, even to those who try
to be blase in regard to theatrical performances.
For years Mr.. Russell achieved great popu-
larity by his monologue entertainments, and by
character impereonations. That popularity mas
even became greater since he has appeared IN
comedies, and those who have seen him IN
.sEdeewood Folks" Felix McCusick," and other
successes will recall his efforts to amuse with
pleasure. This season he is playing an entirely
new comedy coneeit called "Bewitched," from
the pen of Edward E. Kidder, wellknown
dramatist. The fun in this piece all arises
from the mystic influences of an amul ct, which
Col. Chutney Chillecurry has brought from
India. It has the power to force all those into
whose possession it comes. to reveal their true
thoughts and feelings, the result being many
amusing complications. MIR. Russell, as Hal
cyon Todd. the goody-eood young man, reveas,
by the power of the amulet. the fact that there
is a good deal of human nature under the vest
of ever a truly good young man. The pios
leaves just enough to the imagination to make
it interesting, and the characters are strongly
drawn. The character OF Todd hts the Quaintiy
eccentric comedian, as no other has IN wnicn ne
has appeared. Incidentally to the play ne gives
number of his bes. character impersonatIons no
tably 'Dorcas Pennyroyal, spinster, ihe
Starving Tramp" Goose with Sage and Inyons."
dads Dinner Pail" and others His support
ing COMPANY is one of unusual excellence. in
Guiding such well-known people as Fred. D.
Williams. Alex. Fisher. Frank L. Davis, Sam e.
kyan ss Msrri Osborne and others
There is already large advance sale tor MT.
Russells engagement
f1rN N
made such decided hit here earlier in the sea-
SON that the local management felt justified in
securing the attraction for a Encouragement,
but only a very limited one, az it will be pre-
sented at English's for only two performances
the New Years matinee tomorrow afternoon
and tomorrow night 1t will be given by exactly
the same company as before. including such
clever performers as John Gilbert, Eddie Girard,
Henry V. Donnelly, of Kate Castletons company
last year, Misses Amy Ames and Rachel
Booth of the s'rin Soldier company,
Miss Jessie Oyler. of this city Miss Kathery n
Howe the stauuesque beauty, Gus Hennessy
and others. The author Of the skit boldly an
nounces that anybody who detects the SLIGHTEST
literary merit in il will be rewarded and that it
has been built to make peopls laugh only. That
it succeeds admiralty doing this. nobody who
has seen it can doubt, and indeed, In the
popular opinion it seems to be more amusing
than any OF Mr. Charles FL. Hoyts sketches.
1t is full OF fun and pretty music. including
selections from all the comic opera successes. as
directly here from California, where it has
played for six weeks to very large audiences
The piece is a sure antidote for the blues and
other ills that flesh IS heir to- For this engage
ment only the prices at Engish's will be 70. %,
rs cents and 81 to the various parts of tbs
house.
Mr. Frank Mayo. sterling actor, who has
large following of admirers in this city. will
appear at the Grand the latter part of this week.
and his engagement will be looked toward to
with interest, for he IS actor whose fine abii-
ty is recognized on all sides, and he has the good
sense to produce the various plays in which he
appears with the most careful attention to scenic
mountings and uniform excellence of cast On
Thursday evening and Saturday matinee Mr..
Mayo will present, for the first time
in this city. 1.-THE Royal Guard, =
dramatization by himself and Mr..
John e. Wilson, of Dumass famous 'Three
the play has been the greatest success Mr.
Mayo has yet had, and he Is SAID TO play the
part of D'Artagnon, the dashicg officer and dar-
ing diplomatic. with great force and effectiveness.
in s'Nordeck," powerful and beautiful play
which made such an excellent lmpres-
sion here last season sesson and sfsass
Mr. Mayo has carefully selected dramatic
company, including number OF well-known
people. among them Miss Alice Fischer. of Ter
re Haute, a lady who has many friends here. and
who has made won erful advance In her
chosen profession, since she entered 1t three
wears ago She is regarded as one OF the most
promising actresses on the stage, and she mas
the leading female parts in both Royal Guard
and "Nordeck." The advance sale will begin on
Tuesday.
Miss Lottie Church, an attractive and pleasing
actress, who played a successful engagement
here last season, will be the attraction at the
| Museum all next week. On Monday, Tuesday
| and Wednesday matinees and evenings she will
present for the first time in this city the new
| sensational comedy, "Papeto." by Walter
| Fletcher play in which she has achieved
much success elsewhere It IS q
| comedy with many entertaining and
| not a few sensational features The
| latter part of the week John A. Stevens's melo
| drama. Unknown" will be given. with Mis-:
| Church in her original role of Bessie Merr
| bright, which she has played over 2,oO0 times
| Her company is spoken of as being one entirely
| competent to give her an Intelligent aud effi
| Gent support. There is already q large advance
| sale for her engagement.
Notes of the Stage.
Mr. Theodore Thomas is to make tour OF
the principal cities of Europe in 1888.
Joseph Joachim, the greatest OF living violin
| lists has been stricken with paralysis.
1 ~ ho ,N1nvy A1 HA.A