The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
THE PASTORAL DRAMA
.sHoRE ACRES. AND .sTHE OLD
HoMEssTEADv AT THE GRAND.
james A Herne VIII Probably Take
His Great Play to London Next
Season-Drama mt the Park.

character actors known to the English
speaking stage. begins a half weeks en-
gagement, appearing in his artistic imper-
sonation of Nathaniel Berry. In ssShore
Acres" This truly great play made a
memorable hit in this city last year. out
OF the simplest ingredients Mr.. Herne has
evolved a play that promises to live as long
as any American work yet produced. ex-
cept, possibly, Uncle Toms Cabin" Ma
thaniel Berry and Martin Berry were BROTH
ers. living together on a farm in Maine.
Shore Acres, the farm is called. was
on the seacoast, and the Berrys spent part
of their time tending the lighthouse on a
neighboring headland. Nathaniel was the
elder, and from the time their father was
drowned at sea he had been wont to watch
over Martin, give in to him and make things
as easy as he could for him. In short, Ma
thaniel was one OF those men whose very
strength OF character seemed like weakness.
He sacrificed himself for every one In the
modern drama no more beautiful, even il
homely, character is to be found. The au-
thor's Interpretation Of the part shows ex-
traordInary skill. The sunny temperament
OF the old bachelor continually shines
through Mr.. Herne's face. To see him smile
is to know his heart; to hear him talk TO
the children is to read his record. This is
the new school OF acting at its best 1t is
also the best Of all schools, for 1t stirs ones
soul as only the greatest art, that which
comes closest to nature, can. Fortunately,
Mr.. Herne is supported by actors of great
ability, who are thoroughly in sympathy
with his methods. Among the players in
his company are Robert Fischer, James T.
Galloway, Franklin Garland, Alden Bass,
Ernest Lamson, J. " Daily, Augustus VOL
ford, Horace Newton, Thomas Ince,, and
Misses Grace Gaylor Clark, Grace Fillxins
Helen Goold, Belle Theodore, F1orance
Enneking, Eleanor Morgan, Edith Talia-
ferro and Lille and Lottie Gentle.
Much has been said and written about the
realism OF "Shore Acres" meaning the prac-
teal stove on which a turkey is cooked
the water trough and pump, but such at
tempts to capture the senses by scenic and
mechanical device are merely supplementary
to the innate realism of the characters
The old farmhouse within sound OF the At
lantic is brought before your eyes very
clearly. but the subtler essence of the souls
of the people who are housed within 1t is
laid bare by the genius OF the dramatist
and his interpreters. The pastoral realism
Of Shore Acres has never been surpassed
considering the play as a whole, and Mr..
Herne deserves the support Of every Amer
lean who believes In American plays. for
1t is by the study Of human nature near
at hand that our dramatists must build for
Immortality.
.The Old Homesteado Thursday.
THE Old Homestead" which is coming to
the Grand next Thursday, after an absence
OF several years, is play without any pre-
tension to strong or intricate plot. 1t is
rather succession OF home scenes, in which
country life In New England and city life
In the metropolis are strongly contrasted.
1t is pastoral and homely and through 1t
all runs the story OF two young men, who
were cast adrift by their own folly and in
temperance. and restored to home and honor
by well-directed moral persuasion. There
are many characters in the story, but they
stand apart somewhat, each filing an in
dividual sphere. and yet all mingling as
neighbors and friends in the natural course
OF life rather than as characters modelled
for play. 1.-THE Old Homestead is picture
OF country life. There is the. sunshine OF
happy contentment Swallowed by the concern
of Uncle Joshua Whitcomb and Aunt Ma
tilda for the absent boy who had hoped to
better his fortune by leaving the farm for
the great city. When the company from the
city enters the house there comes on the
calls himself Happy Jack, and Uncle Joshua
not only feeds, but questions him as to the
cause of his deplorable condition. Bluntly
the story is told OF downfall due to drink.
Then there is a little fatherly advice, with a
little substantial assistance, and Happy Jack
promises to return to his mother in the city
and "try TO be somebody" 1t was better
than setting the dogs on him, Happy Jack
fhrnght, and so he resolved then and there
to make an effort toward reformation.
When Joshua Whitcomb went to New York
in search OF his son, he found a friend and
helper in the reformed tramp, who. at last
helped to bring his boy back TO the old home
as when he left 1t. Whoever wrote the text
OF this play, and there must have been
trained hand and poetic brain employed In
the work. deserves the thanks OF the theater-
goers Tt is good thing to be reminded once
IN a while that the word dramatic does
not necessarily convey an idea of rapint
and assassination and marital infelicity. IL
is a good thing TO be able 10 prove that q
sympathetic chord can be struck in the public
heart by a stage picture Of homely goodness
and piety and faith in human kind.
Little Christopher" Coming.
The season is rapidly drawing to a close
and among the good things to be offered tc
he