The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
STAGE NEWS AND GOSSIP
Hermann. the Greatest of Magicians, at
the Grand Opera-House This Week.
Lights o. London" at Engiish's and Frank
Frayne in Sensational Drama at the
Museum-Notes of the Stage.

Hermann, the best of all the nscromaneers
and magicians, because he is the originator of
nearly all the mysteries in this line. after sew
eral years' absence from indianapolis will make
his appearance at the Grand the first four nights
Of this week, and An entertainment Of unusual
interest and novelty il promised. Hermann has
. reputation not only in this country, but in Eu-
rope a. well, as the cleverest Of all the presti-
digitators. and no attraction before the public
draws larger audiences than he. This season be
has been unusually successful. the result no
doubts OF the introduction in his entertainment
of the two great novelties, "Black Art and
"Le Cocoon" which. it is claimed, cost him
$40. 900 to purchase and get into proper shape.
'Baek Art has proved to be an astonishing
mystery. The stage is completely wrapped In
darkest gloom being draped above, below and
at the wings with black velvet From this gen.
eral somberness Hermann summons angels.
skeletons. spirit hands, tchars and other objects,
animate and inanimate, and they come from
everywhere, but apparently from nowhere. LIE
Cocoon" is great feature, in which, from
roll Of tissue paper. he evolves cocoon, which
develops into q young woman, winged like
butterfly, and all in full view of the audience.
The entire entertainment given by Hermann this
season is new and original, and at the same
time amusing. Those who have seen him Will
remember what entertaining performer he
is, and how wondrously deft he is in the numer-
Gus tricks and illusions he does He is assisted
things In other cities in which Herman has
played this season his audiences have been
larger than the theaters could we'll accommodates.
and his engagement here promises to be an IN
usually successful ons He will give no matinee,
his only performances being Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday evenings. There is
already good advance sale of seats.
The attraction at Englishs the last three
nights Of the week will be the production of the
popular English melodrama, Lights o. Lon
don," which has had continuous prosperity N
this country since it's first presentation at the
Union.square Theater, New York, six years
ago. 1t il by George r. Sims and Henry Pettitt
and Is the best play of its class that has been
brought over Tt tells q story OF much interest
in q way that tends to make it very dramatic
while the characterizations arc unusually strong
presentation here, with special scenery through
out, and the realistic effects which wero en-
ploysd in the original production. Miss Virginia
Thorne, who plays 'Hetty Breene" IN the piece
is q handsome and talented lady, who comes of
q somewhat famous histrionic family. being a
niece of the late Charles r. Thorne The cast
otherwise includes a number OF ladies and gen
tlemen, who were in the original cast OF the
play in this country, among them Mr.. Hilton
Hill, Charles Patterson, Horace Vinton. j. S.
Loring. Samuel Hemple, Miss Lizzie Warner.
Miss Virginia Thomas Miss Fanny Rouse, Miss
Helen Ottolpgui John Golfer. Walter Poole
and others. The advance sale will begin ON
TUESDAY ana sRero Will Dc no lucEoaco III pT1SoS.
Mr.. Frank ]. Frayne. wellknown sensation
al actor, will be the attraction at the Museum
all this week. On Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday. matipees and evenings, he will pre-
sent 'Mardo, the Hunter" in which he intro
duces his acting dog 'Jack," his lion Ginger
soil, two BEARS two hyeuas and various other
representatives of the animal kingdom, and the
latter part of the week the new version or his
popular play, Isl Slocum." will be given. The
patrons of the Museum like sensational plays
when they well presented, and the an
nouncements for this week will probably be suf-
fcient to draw large audiences at every per-
Torrance. Mr. Frayne has IN his company euch
we'll known people as Miss De Forrest, late OF
Janauscheks company; Mr. and Mrs. S. K.
Chester, Miss Florence Worth, Miss Emily De-
bring, Miss Blanche Reed, John V. Melton A.
F. Amern and others. The advance sale of
seats for the opening performance Of his en-
gagement is already large.
j. w. Coffey, the skeleton dude, an account of
whose peculiar character and physical condition
was published in the Journal on Friday, will ap-
pear at the Eden Musee this week Mr. Cofey,
though of ordinary height weighs about fifty
pounds, aud, Notwithstanding his attenuated
form is q man in good health and rather active
on his feet While his flesh was wasting away
condition, ne explains that be is anxious to
get married and expects to do SO at an early
day. He rather likes Indianapolis and would
not object selecting q wife from among the
young ladies of this city. Those who would like
to meet the skeleton dude can do so at the Eden
Musee during this week. Mr. Coffey has a