The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-09-08
ADJUSTMENTS.

Grand Opera-House--Opening Performance
of abraham Lincoln" To- Night
The performance at the Grand Opera
house tonight will have much to do in de-
termining whether or not q new play. on
which there has been very large outlay
of time aud money, Will be an artistic. as
was first projected of making Abraham
Lincoln the central figure in an historical
play it met with considerable opposition,
for there were those who believed that
such character as his should not figure in
q theatrical production. The fixed deter
mination to present the character In dig
nifed and manly way has had much to do
to overcome this objection. From purely
historic point of view the play promises to
be wholly instructive: from dramatic it
must be regarded as strong and plctur-
esques work, but from a sentimental stand
point the result - more uncertain. The
dress rehearsal last night. in which the
play was given In it's entirety, with all the
accessories, demonstrated that both the
scenic production and the cast of charac-
tiers were unusually excellent, and there is
every reason to believe that the opening
performance tonight will be of q very high
order of artistic excellence.
There Is great interest being manifested
In the piece. There was q line of ticket
buyers In the entrance to the bOx-otice all
day yesterday, and the demand promises
to iucreass throughout the week. The old
soldiers are showing a particularly marked
interest in the play, for they have a very
vivid recollection of the great events 1t
portrays. The inaugural scene, on which
great dependence is placed, in picturesque
anything of the kind yet seen here. There
10 reason TO believe that Abraham Lin
coin" Will have fair and impartial judg-
ment passed upon it by q representative
Indianapolis audience tonight
Park Theater
Mr.. w. J. Fleming. who began a weeks
engagement at the Park Theater yester-
day. cannot complain that there were not
largo audiences to see his play. for at both
performances the house was packed to the
walls. Custer" is new play. built of old
materials, but il has been ingeniously con-
trived, and is really much superior to the
average so-called border" drama. 1t pOr-
trays supposed stirring events in the life of
Gen. George A. Custer. and while some of
the incidents presented doubtless never oc-
Cured. yet dramatic license may permit
their introduction in such play as this.
The principal scenes are those representing
Clusters enlistment, which is made very
stirring. the battle of Little Big Horn
river and the death of Custer. the General,
and in the last act, which is particularly
lurid. there is n duel with bowie knives
between the scont Ia part also played by
Mr.. Fleming and the renegade. in which
the latter 10 very deservedly wiped out,
and the play ends with d striking tableau,
The Shadow in the Valley" The piece is
full of excitement. which made yesterdays
audiences howl with enthusiasm. and the
comedy in it is taking. Mr.. Fleming plays
the leading roles with force and discrimina-
ton, and the supporting company do what
is required of them satisfactorily. Custer
will run all week, two performances daily.
and is likely to draw oyertowing audi
ences.