The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-12

himself In the position Qtaan auctloneef, re-
ceiving the bids of transatlantic compet-
tors The two most enterprising bidders in
the field are Mr. Lestocq, the English rep
resentative of Charles Frohman, and Al
Sutherland. who is Something Of a free
lance Mr.. Lestocq and Mr.. Sutherland en-
gagged in an amusing race to Birmingham
last week to attend the first production of
a new Irish melodrama, sSoggarth Aroon"
C'Darlington Priest D. with a view of Sc
curing it for America ,ashould it prove suit
able 1t is said to be reminiscent of Boucci-
cault in its ATMOSPHERE and will unquestion-
ably kindle the enthusiasm of Irishmen and
should appeal to the larger section of Amer
lean citizenship of Irish descent Sandy
Dngwall came over Recently to secure some
live melodramas for Jacob Lift and will
carry back q brace of plays for the approval
of his principal
There is a controversy over the question
of Oscar Wilde's temperance as a drama
fist. A prominent manager is preparing to
produce his latest play under a thinly
yelled pseudonym. Thereupon the st. James
Gazette says: The manager has failed to
grasp the fact that his dramatic career at
respectable London playhouses must be
considered closed.
Paris, however, does not share this an
tipathy. A theater of that city announces
that play written In French by Oscar
Wilde will be produced shortly. In an in
terview. published by the Gil Bias, Oscar
Wilde declares the British will forgive any
thing in the case of one who amuses them.
An enterprise from across the water
which is also attracting, much comment
from the London newspapers is the Barnum
& Bailey circus. In this case the comment
is entirely and quite enthusiastically
friendly. The heart of the distinguished
pioneer of the circus whose name this insti-
tuition bears, the latesP T. Barnum, would
be greatly gladdened were he alive to wit
ness the splendid broadsde of unsolicited
advertisement which is being showered on
the show. All of the London papers print
columns of special articles Descriptive OF
the preparations under way at Olympia for
the Barnum & Bailey debut, which is an
nounced for boxing day. Descriptions OF the
performers, the animals, the freaks and
the executive ability which moves the COM
bination, which is by no means its least in
teresting feature in English eyes, come In
for write-upS.
Mrs. Potter has soon repented of her re-
solve to spend the winter resting. Kyrle
Bellew and she begin next week short
season at the Islington Theater one of the
most prosperous suburban houses, lately
tenanted by Augustin Days company.
They will play Charlotte Corday.' which
was conspicuous in their American roper
tory. The most interesting project OF Mrs
an engagement in Dresden, the intendant of
the court theater having invited them to
give some of Shakspeare's plays and the
old English comedies there.
BLUE Jeans is to be performed in Eng
land under the management OF Robert
Pateman and Louis Nethersole, who have
purchased the English rights. Joseph Ar
thur is coming to London to stage the
piece and Laura Burt, who played the prin-
cipal part in the United States, will dupll-
cate it here.
THE Geisha'' is to be done in Paris by a
French company at the Athene Comique.
Julie Ring, a young American who re-
Gently arrived in London. will play the
leading part in Captain Rogers's Christmas
pantomime, The Sleeping Beauty, TO be
given at Birmingham.
George Alexander has secured play en-
| titled "A Mani0f Forty by Walter Firth,
son of the royal academician.
1.-THE Cat and the Cherub." with an
American company, was revived as cur
| tain raiser to s'OId Susannah," at the Roy
atty Theater, on Monday last.
Sir Henry, Irving has been appointed lee
| turer for 1898 at. Cambridge, and the stu
dents are delighted with the new departure.
MansfeId's Valet Asks Damages.
/ PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 11--A sequel to
the troubles between Richard Mansfield. the
actor, and John Metzger. who has for the
1 past seven years been Mansfield's dresser
\ for the stage developed to-day in civil
/ suit for damages brought by Metzger. Yes
| terday Mansfield was held by Magistrate
| Eisenbrown under $500 bail Tor a further
| hearing on criminal charge OF assault
and battery on MetzgeT- Io-uay Metzgel