The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-04
AMUSED ENnS.
Grand-FeIix Morris.


The interesting play of the double bill
with which Felix Morris opened his engage
ynent at the Grand last night was his own
adaptation from the French, christened
Behind the Scenes" 1t contains a thrill
ing bit of realism treated from the stand
Rint OF the ideal. The role taken by Mr..
Norris Is a French character part, a pow
erty-stricken but urbane, fiattering and
shrewd old actor himself. whose days of
active usefulness on the boards has long
since passed and whose ambition is to
bring about the debut of his gifted daugh-
ter. This introduces Mr.. Morris in another
of those precious characterizations on the
order Of the "Old Musician and in which
he is probably not excelled. The realism
alluded to Is contained in the view of the
stage behind the scenes one act being a
rehearsal and the next during a perform
ance supposed to be taking place. There
is French flavor to the role of the lead
ing woman and her associations with that
very essential parsonage, the angel or
hacker Of the company. Nothing save the
faintest suggestion is left in Mr.. Morrs's
adaptation, but it is enough to satisfy the
public, which always has it's own ideas, of
how some actresses are able to maintain
prominent positions while others of perhaps
more merit never get out of the ranks. The
plot is flmsy and with less novel situation
would hardly be considered sufficient for
three acts, but with Felix Morriss consum-
mate skill in multiplying details there is
no reason why Behind the Scenes" might
not be slightly heightened and made to
serve for an entire nights performance.
Briefly 1t is as follows:
Dufard's daughter having been associated
with Miss Beresford, star at the Theater
Royal. is familiar with the leading role in
,t11, -.
pains to drill her. On the day of the OPEN
ing performance the star quarrels with the
anger and refuses to attend rehearsal.
put of pique she leaves the theater and
declares she viii not appear that night.
Did Dufards opportunity has arrived.
He introduces his daughter to the manager,
trial rehearsal satisfies both the author
and the manager and they decide. to give
the performance with the new actress in the
leading part. When the. curtain is about to
be rung up the angel appears with the
star who has changed her mind and de-
termines to play her. part Old Daford sees
instant, but he executes a startling coup.
While Miss Beresford is in her dressing
room, Dufard rings up the curtain himself
and shoves his daughter out on the stage
before the audience. Her triumph Is inssan-
taneous and the discounted star beats a
retreat.
A poetic sadness, no matter how. grotesque
the character. pervades all of Felix Nor
riss PRESENTATIONS. 1t would probably be
a popular burlesque. for with all his
laughable make ups and interpreta tions
OF the ridiculous in human nature, he
touches the heart by bringing out meritori-
Gus traits of the character taken that ap-
peal TO the strongest sympathies of the
audience Ii would be impossible, for in
stance. not to take a personal interest in
the successful debut of Dufard's daughter
after all the sincere efforts of her father
whose sublime belief in her talents is so
touchlngy portrayed by Morris. While
his French enthusiasm results in many
each laugh is followed by throat-aching.
paihos and unbidden tears I'LL the eyes.
Morris overlooks no opportunity TO call into
play his remarkable power for playing
on the heart strings OF his audience.
sometime IL Is done by the suffering de-
picted In the tone of his voice. but is often
accomplished by covertly wping away an
Imaginary tear with of those ugly
colored silk handkerchiefs which he is
never without. Morris is ever springing
surpriseg In novel stage business and has
most laughable bit of this sort in Behind
the Scenes' With his daughter on his
arm ne comes down TO. the orchestra to
play the drum. The musicians for the time
Theater ROYAL during n rehearsal
Gertrnde Rivers, Dufards daughter,
sunefH from on artistic standpoint, because
Of her constant nearness TO Mr.. Morris
throughout the play. II could hardly be
said that she feels the part. Harriet Otis
DelleAbauRh gave an Interpretation OF Miss
Bereaford that was perhaps adequate but
which Eerned TO lack the same sincerity
whict nfCrted Miss Rivers 1t Is said to
be- the hardest thing for an actress to
nsetepd II be an actress. which y required