The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-27
ADJUSTMENTS.


That which pleaseS actors more than the
kindest words of kindest critics Is the abil-
ity to say, 1--WE are turning them away"
This means that the house is sold out; that
the manager is wearing 20 per cent.
smiles, and that the star will probably take
a trip to Europe for his summer vacation.
Such is the situation here this week with
Otis Skinner and his capable company.
They turned them away" at the Grand
yesterday and the advance sale is large for
the rest of the week. In the afternoon
there was given a very entertaining per-
Torrance of Lady of Lyons" though not
a great production. Like every Thanks
giving the audience was mixed and not
critical. In the evening it was different.
The house was packed with the best judges
of the higher drama the city affords. The
entirely new and entertaining play. "A Sol
der of Fortune" written by the star him
self. was carefully staged and played in an
excellent manner. If Mr.. Skinner does not
have a care he will establish a reputation
as a producer. This is Mr.. SINNERS third
season as a star and he comes with his
third repertory of new plays.
"A Soldier of Fortune" gives evidence of
some literary ambition on the part OF the
author, whose talent is probably more dra-
signed TO thrill on strictly melodramatic
lines. SINNERS cultivated courtliness. fine
taste for dressing and proper appreciation
Of the value OF original scenery has en-
abled him to give his distinctly melodrama
a cultured and romantic atmosphere that
is palatable to the best of theater goers.
This is the trick that is making a success
of Anthony Hopes plays. That much
sought-after essential by modern play
builders "atm ,Ss S;sto is largely cSaysc, sss
which are chosen by Mr.; Skinner.
He employs the names of the Borgias-the
terrible Caesar and that clever mixer of
poisons, his sister, Lucretia-as well as
that F~lorentine statesman, Macchiavelli.
whom schoolboys delight to make the sub
ject of their orations. 1t would require the
pen of another Bulwer-Lyton to put Mac
chiavelli properly in a drama. and Mr..
Skinner. wisely enough, has not made much
of the old diplomat, but has given him a
beautiful ward to be captured by the VII
lainS and afterward rescued by Mr.. Skin
ner as Fabien Torelli on severa' occasions.
In building the play Mr. Skinner has gone
TO the classic drama for his style. which
is brilliant at times, but he has scooped up
entire armloads OF sensations and heroic
thrills from the modern school. Ihe play
Is interesting from the nrst act. one De-
holds a beautiful woman in agony because
she cannot save the hero, VINO Is Delns
falsely accused by a Borgia spy. Later on
through three more acts the same beauti-
full women is disguised a la Rosaiind and
makes love to the famed Lucretia Borgia
In order TO pay her debt to the hero.
Lucretia may nave fallen in love with a
woman. but she would hardly take the
woman for a man. However. Maud Durbin,
the talented little woman who first bowed
to the public as n protege OF Nine Mod
jeska, is now poisoning out into a most
refined and winSome actress. and makes a
delightfully."- diverting character out of her
part. Caesar Borgia would hardly have
| dictated "A letter to his sister to have a
cardinal poisoned as Mr.. Skinner makes
this crafty schemer do in his play. but II
helps in giving Otis Skinner "A fine oppor-
tunity for "A sword play and the audience
f~orcives the dramatist for the rare treai
of seeing the actor fly into one of his
soldierly passions and strike down the vii
lain's sword.
In the third act Skinner toys with a hall
dozen different passions. one moment max
ing love. then vowing vengeance. next melt
ing in tears and soon running off In delight
full comedy with an old ervan No trick OF
the profession Is foreign to his genius. He
Is constantly entertaining. whatever be hi:
| lines.
Frederick Moseley impcrsona:cd Caesar
| Bcrgia with much force and Sarah Truao
was equally strong as Lucretia. The othel
F, characters were taken with measurabl,
success. "a Soldier OF Fortune" will be re
pcated tonight. AT the matinee Tomorrow