The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-17
TRILBY In THE DRAMA
MISS VIRGINIA HARMED TALKS OF
THE ROLE SHE IS TO CREATE.
She Thinks Du 1Taurier's Heroine
wss Not So Awfully Bad-Miss Har-
ncd's Beautiful Wee Feet.


evening In her dressing room at the Co
lumbia Theater
What she might have to say on the sub
Jcct OF Du Maurier's heroine was regarded
rs OF interest, as the handsome and tall
ented actress has been selected to create
the role Of the ch-discussed character in
the Forthcoming play based on the novel.
Miss Harmed leaned back in her chair and
remarked thoughtfully THAT is a danger
GUS subject to talk upon since the clergy
all over the country have taken her to
point the moral in their sermons.
only last week read a dreadful article,
things said by some minister whom / can
not now remember. According to him, she
was beyond redemption, and deserved all
she got and more, too. He even went so
far as to say that the change In her mode
of life was made, not for self. because she
undoubtedly preferred her old life, but for
the sake Of those who cared for her. Well,
II that be true, she was even nobler than
the reading public generally think her.
II do not think she was bad woman,
edge of higher life. She was a. child as
far as her perception Of right or wrong was
to thoroughly realize the difference between
the two to grasp the full meaning Of her
life. that life ceased; Could a bad woman
child, too young to know or understand
the rights of property, for taking any arti-
Gle he might fancy? He WOULD know no
better than did Trilby.
II think there is many a .Trilby in ex-
istence now. She can be found In the
Latin quarter, for 1T takes Paris to produce
her. These girls open their eyes upon a
world where there Is not the slightest con-
ception OF morality or immorality-they ac-
cept their lives as a matter of course be-
cause they see no other kind. They are not
bad wonfen, immoral women, because they
do not live that kind of life from choice.
but from necessity. the neceSSitY horn of
ignorance.
Il predict grand success for Trilby,'
the play because / can see such pOsSibili-
ties In 1t. although I have not seen the
manuscript 1 can fully understand the
character Of the heroine, can enter the
changed 10 into beautiful work of self
sacrifice. l think / read the story under
standingly and can play the part of Trilby
understandings. Much must necessarily
be left out and much written in, for in
stance, the love scenes between Trilby and
sketehed and st b are vaguely
the decentralization. The love passages be-
tween Billee's sister and Taffy will also
make pretty bit in the play.
THE studio scene. the greater part of lit
at least must be left to the Imagination,
for nobody but Melba could do justice to
were phenomenal. That part WILL of course,
be left out The hypnotic scene should be
3 tremendous one, and that between Triloy
and Little Billee, after he has made his
discoveries, will undoubtedly be the climax.
Il am looking forward with the greatest
eagerness to the rehearsals which are now
In the near future. 1 shall enjoy the char
acter; OF that am confident, because it is
one so full of meaning; every phase of it
Is interesting. / think it will rank with
Camille, which Is similar and yet different
Camille was an immoral woman; Trilby
was not-culpable. perhaps, but only through
bad women and / dislike to read of them
i rarely do, unless for purpose connected
with my profession.
'sMauv nQOrllp WIrO IN ha1 ioua in TriJh
will go from curiosity. Some will GO be-
cause it is their habit to see new plays
for Trilby and sympathy with her and her
compaions On, yes, 1t will be success; I
= MY friends talk Of it often and make
allusion to familiar traits in Trilby. Even
in this company they call these Tribes"
in white silk open-work hosiery and udl' en-
broidered slippers to match; you know
Triibys feet were feature of the story.
After all, there is nothing new to say of
her. She has been written to death, and
the opinions have expressed every possible
shade shad Of difference She may, fan in the
success. but 1 cannot think it, 1 have the
greatest faith in her immortality.
Grand-"Oliver Twist,
pretentious revival of "Oliver Twist
will be given at the Grand tomorrow,
Tuesday and Wednesday and Wednesday
matinee by strong cast. The company,
considered collectively, has never been sur
passed in this city. At it's head stands
Elita Proctor Otis, who will be well re-
mernbered in the character of Mrs East
lake Chapel in 'tThe Crust of Society,"" In
this production Of ''Oliver Twist she per-
sonates that bette noir of all actresses,
Nancy Skies. 1t is a far transition from
the society lady to the girl of the slums,
but Miss Otis attempts 1t with rare 'cour-
age
In support of Miss OTIS Mr. Charles Bar
little known here. will play Bill Skies. Of
the many hundred parts Mr.. Barron has
played, this is one of his best. In person
atty, makeup and action Mr.. Barron's
Skies is so accurate that in him we actually
see the brutal housebreaker, as described by
Dickens and drawn by Cruikshank. Mr..
Barron's schooling as actor under such
masters as the elder Booth and Davenport
Is apparent in his finished work. w. A.
the small pert of BUNDLE. The remainder
Of the characters ere handled by such peo-
Jew: W. H. Post. as tRe Artfnl af podg sne
Miss Katherine Dooling. as Little oliver
bert Lang. as Charley Bates: Albert c.
Deltwyn, as Mr.. Brownlow, and a score of
others ins the minor characters.
The details have been looked after with
scrupulous fidelity. the sketches for the
scenery being drawn in London from fa-
auction The set includes London Bridge
the housetops where Skies meets his DEATH
taglnS uen ana the thieves garnet ="
The engagement begins tomorrow night
and includes a Wednesday matinee, at pop
ular prices.
Francis WILSON mt English's Thurs
day.
Francis Wilson's latest comic opera sue
cess. which will be seen at English's on
Thursday next for the first time here is
called The Devils Deputy" The demon of
whom it treats is good demon, known in
the traditions of the peasants of the noun
tains OF Hesse as Babolet, and is believed
to visit the earth periodically for the pur-
pose of bringing good fortune to the BRIDE
groom who happens to see him on his we'd
ding eve. Babolet is incorporated In a grand
opera and unprecedented by a great singer.
Lorenzo, With the reputation of whose voice
the Princess Mirane has fallen in love- The
princess wishes to hear Lorenzo sing and
instructs the Countess Bagatolla to arrange
secretly with him to come to the palace
and crafty her. The interview between the
Countess and the singer is interrupted be-
fore its end has been disclosed by the alb
rupt entrance of the countess's husband,
General Karamatoff, whereupon Lorenzo
jumps out OF the window. The princess is
not TO be thwarted, she iIistructs the
general to bring Lorenzo before her. and