The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-22
THE THEATERs THIS WEEK
0pea'ng with One of Hoyt's Fancies, 1t
Will Close with High Dramatic Art.
Booth and Barrett Presentations of 0thellO.
Lear and Jnlins Casar-A Grand Success
Promised--Notes Of the Stage.

The most stlccessguI farce comedy that the
facIle pen of Mr. Charles H Hoyt has yet pro-
duced and theater-goers know that all bis skits
have been successful is "a Hole in the Ground"
which will be ssan for the frat time in Indianap-
oils ct the Grand Operahouse Monday night It
Is g somewhas remarkable fact that the COM
pany han not had losing performance this
season, and in all the cities it has drawn audi
snces that more than filed the Eheater. That it
succeeds in making people laugh immoderately
and continuously. which is its only purpose,
cannot be doubted. and As far as ifs dramatic
professions are concerned. Mr.. Hoyt disposes OF
them by explaining why "a Hole in the Ground"
10 not tragedy in the following breezy and char
Aetsristic way: MANY well-intentioned persons,
in good faith, have complained of the present
day writer's OF dramatic literature for not Civ
ing to the stage something Of the grandly classic
and poetic type; but have they stopped to con-
Sidsr that Shakespeare has amply supplied the
demands for that class OF work. and also, he or
somebody else, has uttered q warning
against attempting to gid refined gold. or
paint the lily. a Hole IN the Ground is not
struggle to increase and improve the supply
Of dramatic poetry furnished by Shakespeare,
but il is modest essay to present In an anus
ing way mild remonstrance against the petty
bnt infnriAting insults heaped upon the travelling
public by minor class of railroad officials; per-
haps also, to illustrate the annoyancss which the
aforesaid railway official has to stand from the
other fellows may prove pleasing TO both sides,
The author respectfully submits "A Hole In the
Ground as a farce comedy
In the company are q number of pretty girls.
who sing and dance, and make themselves
generally agreeable, and some comedians OF
tile first water. Among the wellknown people
Nannette Comstock. Miss Alice Daisy Hail. Miss
Helen Leslie, Miss Alice Walsh, Miss Fannie
Neyens, Miss Nettie Lyford. Miss Rose France
Julian Mitchell, Frank Lawton, Geo. Richards,
W. F.. Mack, w. Fl. Judson and Others Mirth
aud N usic unbounded promised IN the per-
formances Of "a Hole in the Ground"
The Booth-Barrett engagement at English's,
the latter part Of the week, is, Of course the alb
soroire topic among theater-goers, and its un-
precedented success 10 already assured IL it is to
be measured by the size and quality of che
audiences. FOR the advance sale has been encr-
mously large, although there are yet excellent
ssats 30 be secured. The combination OF Dir.
Booth and Mr.. Barrett is peculiarly happy. The
elder actor is the embodiment OF the finest ira
ditions OF the stage. a genius and an actor by
birth His artistic sense is keen and true He
is full of the fire of inspiration and is master OF
gssiuses, he is modest and retiring, impractical,
and in business has to search for the difference
between hawk and hernshaw. Mr.. Barrett.
on the other hand, has talent, training and ex-
perieuce. He is Intelligent, progressive and
practical. 1t would doubtless be mistake to
call him business man, but he has the qualities
terial. The two men in their lines
are the best opponents Of the drama in this
country. They have thirty-four well-chosen
legitimate actors and actresses in their
company. and they give the Shakspearean
dramas. with fitting accessories OF scenery and
costumes. On Friday night "Otnellon will be
given, with Mr.. Barrett the dusky Moor and
Mr.. Booth as iago At the Saturday matinee,
that surprising tragedy, king Lear will be
presented with Mr.. Booth in the title role, and
Mr. Barrett as Edgar The engagements will
conclude Saturday night with Julius Cesar"
spectacular productions with Mr.. Booth as
Brutus and Mr.. Barrett IS Cassius. Particular
interest Is attached 70 the performance of
King Lear" for this 10 regarded as Mr. Booths
greatest and most artistic tmpsTsonasion- In
more cult ured audiences than any other play.
Mr.. Booths Lear is n characterization that
lives long in ones memory, as being the most
perfect development of the possibilities Of the
dramatic art, as exemplihed by it's greatest ex-
ponent. The part of Edgar is one that ID
especially adapted to Mr.. Barrett. As this is to
bs given at the matinee on Saturday. i viii
stay in the city over night good opportunity
to see it.
Miss Matte Vickers. who plays at the Museum
all this week. will be remembered as particular
ly clever protean artistic. who made an excellent
impression here at the Grand three years ago.
She is attractive personally, good actress in
various roles, especially in character parts, and
excellent singer. During her engagements
here she viii present two plays, "Jacquine, or
Paste and Diamonds" tomorrow, matinee and
evening", and until Thursday, and e. G. Locks
',Cberub or Pearl Of Serpent Mountain" the
latter part of the week. feature of both
plays Is the introduction Of new musical and
character specialties. In her company Is Mr..
Charles Rogers, an excellent comedian, and
other capable people. Such performances as
she gives always very popular at the
Museum, and large audi snces may be ex-
pecred. Among the so-called soubrette stars,
noneis more talented or deservedly popular than
Miss Vickers
Gossip of the Stage