The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25
Lt1ANDER RICHARDSON
Editor illustrated Dramatic New
MOdjeska's New Play.

Editor Illustrated Dramatic News.
MOdjeska's New Play.
Madame Helene Modjeska, who is now on
her final tour before going to Europe for
at least one season, at the end of which
she expects TO return TO this country for
farewell to the American stage, will be-
gin her engagement at the Grand Opera
House Thursday night. She will open in
Camille" character in which she has
no rivals. On Friday night and Saturday
afternoon the great tragedienne will pre-
sent for the first time here her new play,
'Magda," and on Saturday night will close
her engagement with a grand revival of
1.-THE Merchant Of Venice" The principal
interest in the engagement, however, will
be in the new play, in which Modjeska will
assume the title role of Magda, a sociolog-
ical drama from the German ''Heimath''
of Hermann Suderman.
Although Suderman Is scarcely thirty-sx
years of age. he holds a leading position
among European dramatists; he is natur-
alist, but differs from Tolstoi and Ibsen, in
that he deals with the moral forces of
everyday life, while the Russian and Nor
wegian authors delve for what is excep-
tional and abnormal, and found their sto-
ries and dramas upon conditions which are
morbid Suderman has contributed three
ing Madga, which is rich in psychological
observations. In drawing his characters the
author reveals profound knowledge of
human nature, and in play-writing he ham
dies IN mastery style the problem pre-
sented by the conflict between the morals
and present world. The action of the
drama is energetic and intense. The chief
roles are Madga, Major Schubert cher
father2 and Dr. Weber "a rector. The scenes
are laid in the drawing room of Major
Schuberts house. in a prominent town in
northeast Germany. The Major is an old
man, true to his faith and his king, with
the reverence for the doctrine of authority
the authority Of the husband over the
wife, and the father over the children. He
ern ideas opposed to such conception of
authority. God be thanked" he proudly
f,S, la in my family at least author
fore this, his elder daughter. Madga, ex-
tricated herself from the trammels OF this
authority by leaving home because her
not love- Madga lives in her her
whom no mention must be made in his
presence, though he carries at his side a
constant reminder of his misfortunes in the
shape of an arm paralyzed from it's effect.
After battling with the world and winning
her way to the very pinnacle of her art
she is engaged to sing at a musical festival
TO be held in the quiet little town where
she was reared and where her father still
lives. Her father, who thinks that his
is staggered to learn that the prima donna
who is known by the name 70 Maddalena
de fOrto Is none other than his child,
Magda- DIR. Weber. who has remained sim
gle. and whose life has been devoted to
self-Sacrifice and Christian work, persuades
the father to readmit his daughter to her
home. Her individualism has asserted it
self during her twelve years experience
with the world, and she is scarcely be-
f1ict is renewed. The father is consumed
with doubts about how Magda has man
aged to pay for all her glory, her wealth
and her position. Has she remained pure?
The thought fairly haunts him, and there
Is something about her manner that feeds
is now a frequent visitor at Magda's home,
has been her beTtayer while she was alone
in Berlin studying for the operate stage,
with their child as best she could.
father, whereupon Won Keller offers
to marry Madga and right the wrong he
has done. All goes we'll until Won Keller
refuses to acknowledge the child and in
sists on its being brought up in secrecy.
and she declines to accept his hand in mar
riage. Her father undertakes to force her
consent. and warns her that unless granted
neither will leave the room alive" Failing
TO gain her consent he seizes pistol to
kill her. when the excitement superinduceS
a second stroke of paralysis and he falls
to the floor. The family rush in, and the
rector and Madga'S younger sister, Marie,
beg the dying man to forgive his daughter,
but he refuses and passes away, with Mad
ga Frustrated with grief at feet.
The room in which the action takes place
is severe in its simplicity, and it's common
furniture and housewifely neatness throws
into strong relief the luxurious figure of
the returned prodigal daughter The por-
traits of the kaiser and Moltke, the case
of butterflies, the bow window with it's
antique draperies, the old German stove
and the rank of long German pipes are all
CHARACTERISTIC of the country in which the
action is laid.
Madame Modjeska will be supported by
Mr.. Otis Skinner and a thoroughly capable
company. The sale of seats will begin to-
morrow morning.