The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-23
ADJUSTMENTS.
Grand-"BrOther john

If any curious cynic should really want
TO know why the large audience at the
Grand last night alternately laughed and
wept, then wept again and laughed
until threats ached and tear
dimmed eyes stared like fishes
straight ahead, long after the falls Of
the curtain, afraid TO gaze into companions
faces and betray their lachrynlose weak
ness; If the prior mentioned cynic desire an
explanation for the curtain call after the
first act, the double call after the second
and the prolonged outburst after the third
when Mr.. Crane, preceded by his entire
not hesitate to say ii is because there are
no Brother Johns In real life The Brother
John OF William III. Crane is as much a
creation as the idealized Lady Of the
Agels by Bougereau. which attracted SO
much attention in the worlds fair art
gallery. The bourgeois class, who form the
commercial backbone OF this country to-
day. are not hampered by any such philan-
thropic, tender-hearted attributes. 1t is
safe 10 say II they were they would never
have the wealth lying around to gener-
ously cash Observation-Disclosures checks
forged by wild, harem-scarem brothers. and
women. There may have been a time when
people of the Brother John type, though
less wealthy. lived on this earth, but to-day
Brother John" is a myth He is a good
character for a Sunday-school paper story,
or to be worked into fairy tale for cred
ulous children, but 1t is his very impossi-
human breast that the people became so
demonstrative when Mr.. Crane showed the
localized dear old Brother John"
All the other characters in the play are
simply feeders for the one star part of
known strong people in the cast are abso-
lutely necessary TO give the numerous
mediocre roles the proper Importance, for
Crane towers above everything and every
body. They make their entrances and exits
with the sole purpose of affording him new
opportunities. That capable woman, Lizzie
hQ In rllV ono tIorl, 10
10 keep the conversation from tagging.
Placed, as she is, SO continuously opposite
TO the star she Is little more than able to
keep Hettie Rolan from appearing awk-
wardly out Of place. Anne O'Neil is a
clever ingenue, but until the last act when
she portrays a wheedling girl with much
subtlety. there is naught except stereo-
typed business for her. Gladys Wall
in her m GaSr sos de es6e impression
erly recognized when she came before the
curtain Mrs. Augusta Foster assisted in
Johns spinster sister, but Marie Dantes
and Amy Busby as Mrs. Van Sprague and
daughter had little opportunity outside of
appearing in gorgeous society costumes in
the two acts laid at Long Branch. Idaene
Cotton entered heartily in the comedy as
the maid The male support was equally
competent. George Backus sustained with
becoming dash the rather useless character
OF Edward Kidd. who had determined on
marrying Brother Jonathan's sister, while
Joseph Whee!ock, jr., as erring Brother
Bobby, acquitted himself very much as all
would have the black sheep in the family do
reform, get married and settle down.
Mr.. Boyd Putnam gave excellent col
oring TO the city swell, who CANDLES des-
perately, drinks to excess and develops the
society roue instinct a Ia mode. J. G.. Pad
gett is a good character actor, and while
his Hopkins was true enough to the idea
of the play, il did seem pity to splice
him even such an old fogy as spinster
Beck. George DeVere and William Her
bert were handicapped in the same manner
as most OF the others In being cast in in
significant parts.
brother John will be repeated tonight
and tomorrow matinee, while The SEN
ator" will be given Saturday evening.