The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-29

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Mr.. Henry T. Dixey. who Is easily the
cleverest comedian in burlesque or musical
extravaganza, has returned to his first love,
"Adonis," which gave him fame and for
tune. and will present new version of that
popular piece at the Grand Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings and Wednesday matt
nee of this week. The second edition Of
"Adonis'' was produced ct the New York
Casino the past spring and summer, where
1t had run of fourteen weeks, surprising
in big receipts its former record Of GA nights
at the Bijou Theater, New York, seven
years ago. In it Mr.. Dixie presents many
novelties and new characterizations of all
the London and Paris celebrities that have
appeared in America in the past few years,
viz, Carmencita, the Spanish dancer, Par
querette, Venom (Georgie) Vesta Victoria,
of Daddy Wouldn't Buy Me Bow-wow'
fame, Loie Fuller the serpentine dancer;
also Paderewski, the eminent pianist, and
his always welcome JUNCTION of Henry Irv-
Ing, one or the cleyereSt bits of mimicing
ever seen.
Mr.. Dixey has a large company. fifty peo-
pie In all, including a number VINO have fig
ured prominently in comic opera and other
burlesques. The various features, In the
way or musical numbers, dances and imi-
tations, are all new in the piece, and the
result is performance said to be full of
entertainment Mr. Dixey himself, from
all accounts, has lost none of his grace and
personal attractiveness, and is now ,dupli,,
In this piece. On account of the prevailing
financial conditions. there will be no ad-
vance in prices for this engagement, al
though "Adonis' Is an unusually expen-
sive production.
Bad Yea1- for TheatricaIs.
T. Henry French, perhaps the best-in-
formed theatrical agent in the country
states that the books of the various dra-
matte agencies show that there are fully
$500 actors and actresses idle at this time
He says: THE worlds fair and the busi-
ness depression the causes of the i'll
wind that blows nc theater company good
unless it happens to be playing a date in
Chicago"
Mr.. French says also -rnat at least ten
theatrical companies will disband before
the end OF this month, several of which. by
he is receiving royalties. With few ex-
ceptions the business Of the theaters
courasing this year than for many sea seasons e
past Mr.. Abbey's attractions in Chicago
played last week to gross receipts aggre-
tertainments in that city have been patron
lied by throngs relatively as large as those
which have attended Mr.. Abbey's enter
tainments.
But, taking the country as a whole and
excluding Chicago. the receipts of theaters
have been comparatively small, except in
the case of certain favorite and well-estab-
1Shed companies. Organizations which
were making good profits twelve months
ago are now barely struggling along; the
managers OF amusements outside OF Chlca-
go are complaining, and the number of
theatrical wrecks is unprecedented.
Archie Boyd I'm ''The Country Squire"
Mr.. Archie Boyd, an experienced and
original character actor. who has been play
ing the part of Joshua Whitcomb in 1.-The
Old Homestead" for several seasons, with
much success, Is now repeating II in
new play. which Is said to be a worthy sue
cessor TO the other. entitled THE Country
Squire" Mr.. Boyd will play an engage
ment Of three nights and a matinee at the
Grand. opening next Thursday night. 1.-THE
Country Squire" is a domestic drama, and
resembles others of its class In that Il
draws it's inspiration from American coun-
try life. but IL differs essentially from all In
the selection of its locality. its characters
and It's plots. 1t Is especially notable for
the absence of so-called "gush" and vul-
garity of language or situation, so IL Is
said. The lovers, OF whom there are two
pairs, speak and act like sensible people
the comicalities are simple and noffensive.
and the sentiment, though effective IA de-
void OF bombast. The story Is clearly told
holiness that ought to make the play sue
cessful. 1t is to be presented with ade-
quate and beautiful scenic effects and Mr.
Boyd has a company which is said to be n
thoroughly capable one Besides the act
ing people he has with him seven trained
vocalists. whose singing is feature Of the
performance. 1.-The Country SQUIRE has
made 6. hit in other cities, according to the
critics.
"Held In Slavery" at the Park.
Held in Slavery" a nautical melodrama.
will be the attraction at the Park Theater
the first three days of this week, opening
with a matinee tomorrow, with the
author, Mr.. Martin Hayden, a well-known
young actor, in the leading role. The story
OF the play deals with the trials Of a young
woman, who falls into the power of a VII
lain, who proclaims her to be his slave.
supporting this claim by fictitious docu-
ments. His alleged ownership of her, how
ever, cannot induce her to marry him, and
after many exciting experiences she is
rescued by the hero, who proves himself to
be what real, genuine hero should be
The scenic effects introduced in the piece
are said to be unusually realistic. One of
them represents sail boat exposed to the
fury of the elements in n great storm on
| the Gulf OF Mexico. Another is a house in
flames and the rescue of the hero from the
ruins and subsequent explosion. Then there
| Is a lighthouse scene and a duel with
| knives between the hero and the villain
and other striking effects. There is enough
=,
and the Introduction of a troupe of colored
| singers and dancers give variety TO it,
Young Hayden is a vigorous and forcible
actor. and has capable supporting COM
pany.
Empire Thcnter.
Whallen & Martelrs South Before the
War;" a spectacular production depicting
life among the colored people in the South
| opens a weeks engagement at the Empire
| Theater. beginning tomorrow with a mat,
inee All told fifty people are in the troupe
who appear in various scenes on the plan
tatiCns. The iaughable cake walk and g
colored camp meeting will also be seen
Special scenery is carried by the company
| and the various climaxes, including Unclt
| Eph's dream. the explosion of the Robert
| z. Lee and Uncle Ephs death are realistic
and sensational.
Whallen & Martell are the originators OF
this production and have done all in theil
power to make IL as realistic as possible
fcl,a cornranv includes many of the LEADING