The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-28
AMUSEM ENTS.

GRAND OPERA HoUsE-"THE ENSIGN"
William HawOrth's drama, The En-.
sign" seen here for the first time last night,
is q strongly interesting play. fact that
was demonstrated by the closest attention
on the part of q large audience and fire.
quent outbursts of applause. 1t is melo-
dramatic In story and treatment but not
seDsationally so. and it's action arises from
an historical occurrence 1.-THE Mason. Slidell
incldent) during the civil war. Full of pa
triotism and sentiment. il appeals strongly
to the sympsthies. The development of
the plot. especially in tho fourth act, where
an appeal is made to the President for the
life of a man who Is sentenced to death,
causes an interest that is almost painful in
its intensity. There Is q pretty love story,
mingled with the tragic element. and the
Introduction OF sweet-faced, prattliDg
child Ia part played with remarkable clev-
erness by little Edith Wright. makes tho
two scenes in which she appears strongly
natural and effective. Added to
the unusual interest of the play
the picturesqueness and procriety of the
stage settings. and the uniform excellence
of the acting and THE Ensign" must he put
down as positive success. -Four historical
characters. President Lincoln. Gideon
Wilkes are introduced incidentally but
do not have prominent parts. James Neill
plays Ensign Ben Baird with manliness
and intelligence that are most commend
able. Hardy Vernon. always careful and
discriminating actor; j. w. Pierson. Miss
Bertha Creighton. who is graceful and ex.
pressive; Miss Mabel Seymour and George
G. Wright also do excellent work IN the
cast. and George Fawcett makes a posi-
tive and undeDiable hit in strongly
drawn character part-COxswain Dudley.
The piece is deliberately and beautifully
mounted. with every attention to detail.
1t will be repeated tonight for the last
time and VIII well repay attendance.
EMPIRE-CITY CLUB.
The Empire was packed at both per.
formanoes Yesterday. the attraction being
the City Club Spectacular Farce.comedy
Company. The programme generally was
on excellent one. 1t is made up of two bur-
)esques and an olio of unusual merit for q
show of It's clasa. ''Stndies in Tcrre Gotta
opens the show. This burlesque overfiows
with catchy songs enhancing music, rap
tur0us dances. and serves t0 introduce o
score of maidens attIred in beautiful cos
tunes. The olio follows. Introducing the
German dialect sketch team. the Emmetts,
who were we'll received. Lew Hawkins,
the black face comedian, kept the
audience In roar; Lowry and Evans
were very hnny; Charles Belmont Irish
comedian. was very entertaining; Phy lis
Alien has fine contralto voice and was
numerously encored. Fanny Everett, in q
Teutonic specialtys. made great hit. The
performance closes with the burlesque "A
Miss HeilYett," which is taken from the
comic opera Miss. Hellyet." Ii is hand
somely staged. 1t is full of new songs,
dances. music and special;ies, but drags
somewhat withal. FeatherweIght ought
TO be exclsed. Between each act in the
olio Matt Morgan's celebrated living
statues were produced and literally APP
piauGed.
PARK THEATER-iDA VAN CORTLAND.
Miss Ida Van Cortland's annual engage.
ments at the Park Theater are society
events" with the patrons of that house. as
we'll as Financial events" for the star and
local managers There were very large