The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-29
ADJUSTMENTS.
Observation-Disclosures III,

incidents of this most savage tragedy. The
feature of the performance was the remark
able acting of little Argyle Campbell as the
young Duke of York. This child interpreted
his part with mora sense and discriminating
vigor than any member of the Keene COM
pany. His jeering at his uncle, his imitation
of his deformity, his expressions in voice.
feature, gesture and carriage were ex-
traordinary. The little fellow is a natural
actor, and was, by long odds, the real star
last night. The audience was large and at
times very demonstrative. If Mr.. Keene
had given the play throughout as well as ne
acted the cruel and aspiring prince in the
first act-if he performed all his parts in
all his plays as well as that he would,
despite his want of personal magnetism, be
nearly if not quite the first of American
actors now presenting Shakespeare. In the
tower scene when he murders Henry he
was surprise. He did not rant. He did not
ruin his powerful features by distorting and
convulsing them. Intelligence inspired and
controlled each word, each trick of art. He
retrained from being a grOtesque mask
OF writing muscles as he is elsewhere in
this and other plays. Few things better
than keene'S manner, bearing and express
sion when King Henry taunts him into
frenzy just before he finally breaks through
all restraint and gives the fatal stroke have
been seen here this winter. And his conduct
after the murder-each detail is eloquent,
with just Interpretation. The shaking OF
the blood from his sword the wiping of this
crimson weapon with his handkerchief, the
contemptuous dropping of 1t on the dead
race at which he still sneers-all and more
are done with such un-Keene-like and re-
fined brutality that those familiar with this
players boisterous methods asked them
selves what spell had seized on this old
time blood curdler. 1t was chastened and
Tepressed saVagery; II was royal Vlllainy
by highbred scoundrel. 1t was an al
together unlocked for niece of art
But when one sat the play out one slowly
came TO the conclusion that this apparent
gem of acting was possibly accident Mr..
Keene's performance, taken as whole, is
most uneven and unsatisfactory. AT times
1t is scarcely Ineligible. His voice. too,
is seriously impaired, or 1t may be Mr.. Keene
needs rest-a good long rest. AT present
an entire performance is wearing on the
nerves. Notwithstanding the flashes, now
and then, of what is apparently real and
rare and high art. Mr.. LOwelps Bucking-
ham was acted with incisive discrimina-
ton, except his denunciation of Richard,
which spoiled all, and was the worst posi-
BILE piece of mounting during the evening:
Mr. Hanford's RICHARD was colorless and
painful: Mary Timbermann's Elizabeth
was affected. "waily'' and almost humorous
at times. Mrs. Baker is simply wonderful
for woman of eighty years The rest of
sometimes absurd. Heavy curtain calls
followed choice bits at times, and then
again the house was dumb and the people
seemed bored. Mr.. Keene will be seer. as
Shylock this afternoon, when THE Mer-
chant of Venice" will be given. and to-
night his engagement closes with Julius
Caesar" Mr.. Keene playing Marc Antony.
The Banda Rosa, which will give con-
certs at English's tomorrow afternoon and
evening played in Cincinnati Christmas day
and Sunday, and caused a sensation, judg-
ing from the following account given by the
Enquirer critic: 1.-THE Banda Rosa concerts
yesterday afternoon and evening were in the
nature of something that Cincinnati au-
dience has never heard before They have
listened with rapture to the playing of Sou
sa's Band when Music Hall was crowded to
OVERLOOKING; they have been interested in
the more musicianly performance of Victor
Herbert's Band, whose programmes do not
cater altogether to plebeian taste, but these
were tame exhibitions of what great mil
itary band can do in the light of the eX-
PLOTS of the Banda Rosa. 1t would be dit
ficult, nay, impossible, to describe the merits
nression that it leaves is less of mag
netic than an irresistible character.
Its concentrated force IS Overwhelmingly
impressive But the main charm OF the
Banda Rossas playing lies In ITS entnu-
siaSm, impetuosity and fire. iSach man
seems to play with al ms soul ana eher-
gies. The understanding of the several di-
visions among themselves seems to be per.
feet. The result is a marvellous ensemble
A great many funny things happen to
George c. Roniface, jr, who plays Jones
in George H. Broadhurst's latest farce,
What Happened to JONES' the coming
attraction at Englishs Opera House Fri
day and Saturday and Saturday matinee.
They begin to happen early in the even
ing and keep right at it until in the second
act they begin to happen every other min
ute until the close of the entertainment,
when general hiarity prevails. It is claimed
that 49, 400 people laughed at Jones's mis-
fortunes at the BiJou Theater, New York,
during the past three months, and were IT
not for a previous engagement made with
another attraction the farce could seasily
have remained there all winter. Jones
comes here with the same New York cast,
including such well-knOwn comedians as
George c. Boniface, jr., George Ober, Will
liam Bernard, Reuben Fax, Cecil Kings
tob. ]. w; Cope Harry Rose. Anna Bel
mont, Kathryn Osterman, Matte Fergu-
son. Florence Robinson, Mrs. E. "A. Eberle
and Rose Stuart.
In 1.-THE Master of Ceremonies" in which
Lewis Morrison will make his reappear-
ance at the Grand tomorrow night and
the rest of the week, Mr.. Morrison is
said to have secured a treasure. 1t is said
to be charming play full of good dialogue,
and impressive situations, and introduces
a number of clear-cut, vigorously-drawn
characters. The time is that of George III.
Mr.. Morrison will appear as Stuart Dem
vile, a character entirely dissimilar from
any of his previous portrayals. The climax
of the second act is described as one that
gives Morrison a great opportunity. The
scene depicts Florence Roberts, as Claire
Denville, accusing her father. Stuart Den
vile CLewis Morrson). of the murder of
Lady Teigne. After the accusation, which
is startling in it's dramatic force, comes
the best bit of suppressed emotion that this
fine actor has ever done. His face as his
daughter turns from him and he utterS the
words. "Alone. alone" has been described
as an inspiration.
Katie Emmett has only two more chances
to hang up the IS. r. o.. sign at the Park
this afternoon and to-night-and will like
ly do so on both occasions, as 1.-The Waits"
has given great satisfaction. Tomorrow
comes 'McFadden'S Flats, with a large
and strong farce-comedy cast numbering
twenty-five clever people.
The Empire was crowded again last
night. many strangers from neighboring
cities being present to enjoy the programme
offered by the Merry Maidens Company
which is one of the very best seen at the
Empire this season.
'Bride-EIect'' Tried on the Dog.
NEW HAVEN, Conn, Dec 2s-John
Philip Sousas comic opera, THE
Bride-Elect received its first presentation
on any stage at the Hyperion Theater to-
night and scored an instantaneous success.
Particularly at the end of the second act.
which closes with the march, "Unchain the
Dogs of War was the audience demonstra-
tive in its approval. The march, a typical