The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-28
THIS WEEKS PLAY BILLS
WILLIE COLLIER Ar ENGLIsHs WITH
"THE MAN FROM MExICO.v
The Park Opens with ssThe Sidewalks
of New York" aud the Empire
Has a New BurIesque.

Willie Collier will be coming back to old
friends when he appears at English's the
last half of this week in the new comedy.
THE Man from Mexico" Collier has shown
great versatility in the numerous roles he
has taken since his last visit to Indian
apolis, and his success in comedy sone-
what more pretentious than that of old
'Hoss and Hoss' days has almost COM
pletely disassociated his name from the first
piece that gave him fame. 1.-The Man from
Mexico" is an adaptation from the French
by Du Souchet, the author of MY Friend
from India 1t was produced originally
at Hoyt's Theater, New York city, and sue
ceeded in running there for more than two
months. IT was accorded warm recep-
ton in other Eastern cities as we'll, and
many who have seen the farce claim that
it excels Du SouchetS first effort The
story the farce tells is that Of one Fitz-
hugh, gay, newly-married individual, who
is enticcd by some of his old comrades to
visit resort which is known as the Cleo
patra. His wife, naturally jealous, secures
friendly lawyer to accompany her and
follows her husband on his escapade Just
after he leaves the place she is seen en-
tering, and is recognized by waiter 1t
so happens that trouble occurs at the re-
sort, and the police are summoned and
most of the occupants are arrested, in
Guiding her. Through the influence of her
friend Mrs. F'itzhugh gets away safely.
Her husband is not so fortunate. He is
sentenced to months Imprisonment on
BlackwelPs island. In order to conceal his
difheulties from his wife he announces that
he is. going to take a trip to Mexico. He
is then lmmured in the prison. The Sec
ond act of the farce takes place in the
Wardens office of the prison. The author
brings the characters together here by
having the women visit the prison as flow
er distributors. Extremely funny compIi-
cations arise out of the ove-making of
the warden, who turns out to be a dudish
sort of chap, to Mrs. Fitzhugh, in the pres
ence of her husband who of course, is
compelled to hide his identity. In the last
act matters are Strengthened out by Fitz-
hugh returning from Mexico, all logged
out in Mexican costume. Mrs Fitzhugh
has invited her friends and his to welcome
his return, and he begins to tell how Mex
leo was a cell.
1t is claimed that the laughter once
started is incessant. In fact it is said.
that it begins at the beginning of the Sec
ond act, and it is one uproarious hurrah
from then on. Willie Collier as Mr.. Fitz-
hugh has won distinct success in the role.
Mrs. Fftzhugh is played by Louise Allen,
and others in prominent parts are Maclyn
Arpucyle, Dan Mason, Philip H. Ryley.
Charles Mason, George w. Parsons, nj. I.
Heckert, Lawrence Sheehan Carolyn Ell
berts Katherine Mulkins and Violet Rand.
The scenery is by Arthur Voeghtlin. and
i slIe Ihree scenes are said to be extremely
handsome. The play and the star are IN,
der the management of Messrs Smyth and
Rlce who are also the managers of INV
Friends from India"
Marie DressIer IL, .Cou-4z -