The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10
THE "ALL-STAR" CAST
Every Member of the Company, from
Jefferson to Fannie Rice, IL n Well
known Star Actor.

gathered together TO make a tour OF the
country in one play. he would have been
laughed down That such thing could be
done would have been looked on as almost
impossible. Most men in the profession re-
fused to discuss the thing. They pointed out
that there would not be money enough in
such a tour to satisfy stars OF such magni-
tude. Popular stars, even In hard times, will
easily make a profit of $1,000 a week. and
they would ask: Where is the manager
who would guarantee this amount to every
member OF his organization" For this rea-
son and many others, the present tour of
THE Rivals" with its extraordinary cast
is remarkable, and people are wondering how
the plans for the tour were ever carried out
so successfully. A little over a year ago the
men who are managing the present tour,
Charles B. Jefferson and Joseph Brooks,
felt, as many others. that such tour was
hardly to be dreamed of. The way the COM
pany came to be organized for the present
tour Is rather odd and is due to the sugges-
ton of a practical joker more than to any
thing else.
In March OF last year various reports went
the rounds in New York to the effect that
Charles w. Couldock. the veteran actor.
was broken down in health and pocket and
was about. through necessity, to apply for
admission in the Forest Home, which is sit
uated just outside of Philadelphia. This
home is most excellent institution, but for
all that, nearly every one felt sorry for the
old man. who is to-day the oldest actor in
the country. No one felt more sorry for the
veterans condition than did Joseph Jeffer-
son. who had known him for many years.
and when a benefit was suggested he was
the first TO volunteer his services. A COM
mittee Of managers was appointed to get up
the programme and they were going to work
on the old lines of sandwiching in lot of
variety performers with a number of acts
from different plays, when Mr.. Jefferson
called their attention to the fact that such
bills were worn out and that it would be
good thing, in his opinion, If a bill could be
arranged that would have some novelty
about It, What kind of novelty could they
get M? Again did Mr.. Jefferson come to
their rescue and suggested that they give
The Rivals with a cast composed entirely
Of stars. This idea was worked on, but on
account Of the fact that the principal stars
did not close their tours until the month of
May the benefit was not announced to take
place until early in June The performance
was given at the Fifth-avenue Theater, in
New. York, and every seat in the house and
every available foot of standing room was
occupied when the curtain arose The bene-
At was an immense success and the two hap
piest men in the house were Charles B. JEFF
fsrson and Joseph Brooks. who had managed
the affair. After the second act the two man
ayers stood In the center of a group In the
lobby where they were joined by another
manager. who is a good deal of a practical
joker.
Co. -
to get even with you boys. 1 have told sew
eral newspaper men that you have offered
this company 100000 for a series of thirty
performances. They wia wake you I'D to-
night to learn the truth of it."
At this there was a loud laugh
You couldn't get them to play together
for twice that amount" some one said, and
the curtain at that moment going I'D on the
third act. the little knot dispersed. Some
time afterward Mr.. jefferson, who is the
son Of the actor. met Mr.. Brooks again.
Say. joe" he said, what do you think of
that 100000 idea?" 81
WELL" answered the other, at Is not so
funny now. Suppose we try it and, in any
event. let US see if we can repeat this per-
formance in Boston,
Mr.. Jefferson went back on the stage and
saw his father and the others, and they all
pledged themselves to appear the following
week in the Hub. This performance was a
gigantic success and the two managers
thereupon set about effecting a plan that.
at first, was thought to be so wild as to be
good joke. 1t took all Of the summer and
fall to carry the thing to successful issue
and one result of 1t is that all of the actors
in the cast had to cancel their regular tours
in April.
The cast to be seen In the presentation of
the comedy in this city IS better than the
original one seen in New York In that COM
pany two OF the principal parts were as
signed to the leading man and woman of a
prominent stock company, while in the pres
ept company these parts. like all OF the
others in the play. are in the hands of stars
The one night OF this great cast at Eng
lish's Opera House is Tuesday. May 10. The
advance sale opens next Tuesday morning,
May II. at the Pembroke Arcade. at 8
o'clock
Park-vaidis Sisters Vaudeville Co.
The vaidis Sisters. queens of midair,'
will appear at the Park all this week In a
new aerial act, including evolutions on a
revolving trapeze. brilliantly Illuminated
with hundreds of electric lighty After a
prolonged stay in Europe, they were in
duced by Messrs. Roster & Bal to return
to this country. Their new act met with
such success that they remained with Kos
ter & Bal for six months. Their act can
only be appreciated by being seen, and as
they shortly leave for Australia for a tour
OF the world. this will be the only week
they viii be seen in Indianapolis previous
to their departure. Aside from the vaidis
Sisters. the company VIII be one of the
strongest vaudeville companies ever seen
at the Park. Fielding, the juggler, is a
marvel of skill and dexterity. A new team
to this city is Foreman and Fannan. They
are acknowledged to be in the front rank
Of Irish character comedians and dancers
They are making a tour Of the world and
have only recently arrived from South At
rica- or their work the Natal Mercury
says: I'VE cannot refrain from specially
referring to Messrs. Foreman and Fannan,
who are probably the best low comedians in
their lie of business that have ever been
here" Thorne and Carleton are two of
Americas premier sketch artists, and are
always welcome. Henry Frey will give a
clever impersonation Of a tramp. He Is
new to this city, but will become favor
| tie. Some excellent singing will be fur
nished by the Clifford sisters. Castellet and
Hall will give an amusing sketch. Burt
| Shepard will appear in monologue and other
artists will take part in a lively vaudeville