The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-03
PLAY BILLS THIS WEEK
JOSEPH HOLLAND AT THE GRAND IN
"THE MYSTERIOUS MIR. BUGLE.~
Murray and Mack Opc, Their Animal
Engagement at the Park
Vaudeville at Empire.

Madeleine Lucette Ryley, the author Of
'"The Mysterious Mr.. Buge, has devised
a whimsical but convincing scene in that
clever play. in which she makes Betty
Fondacre, the charming heroine, played by
Gretchen Lyons, smoke big cigar without
the faintest suggestion of vulgarty. The
incident develops so, naturally that the au-
dience takes it good-naturedly as the only
way out Of the predcament in which Betty
finds herself. The scene is in the first act
Allan Fondacre after a visit to his cousin
Betty, makes a hurried exit and leaves be-
hind him a half-smoked cigar Tom Pol
linger, played by Joseph Holland Betty's
affianced, comes in with suspicious mind
He taxes Betty with having had visitor
She denies it. Cigar stump is found. Tab
leau Betty says: 'You must have left
it the last time you were here" Tom an
swers sarcastically, as he shows the smok-
ing weed: ut has kept pretty warm" "
Betty calls woman's proverbiaI wit to her
aid and confesses she has a terrible vice,
and that the cigar is hers. Tom is skep-
teal, and offers her a fresh cigar The
test is a hard one, but woman's courage
is on top. Betty grimaces. signs and lights
the weed with some difficulty. Betty puffs
She grows pale and weak; collapse is imml-
nent, when Tom leaves the room Betty
drops the cigar and rushes for goblet of
water 1t is to the great credit of Miss
Lyons that she plays this difficult scene
with such exquisite tact and delicacy that
it holds its place as one of the most charm
ing bits of comedy in "The Mysterious Mr..
Bugle"
y,Io cf
is ingenious and full of situations that are
funny. AS the hero Tom Pollinger Joseph
Holland has most congeniaI part. lie
brings out all the absurdities of a mildly
jealous lover with artistic capability
Gretchen Lyons, who plays the part OF
Betty Fondacre, the leading female role is
an exceptionally beautiful and talented
young actress The play is in three acts,
and the scenes are laid in and about a
fashionable hotel at Lakewood, N. ]. The
period is the present time. The story CEN
tiers about Tom Pollinger, a handsome, six
foot young man Of twenty-five, to whom
his eccentric grandmother is to leave her
fortune on the understanding that he forms
no matrimonial plans until he arrives at
the age of discretion-forty years. With
the usual weakness of mankind, however,
Tom falls a victim to the charms of Betty
Fondacre. In quite the ordinary course of
events too, he is insanely jealous of her,
and in order that she may be protected
from the attentions of other men he pre-
walls on her to pose as Mrs. Bugle, a grass
widow, until such time as the secret Of
their engagement may be broken to the
public. Miss Betty takes up her residence
in a summer hotel, where such an unfortu-
nate chain of circumstances occurs as in
the eyes Of the jealous Tom seems to point
to the existence of an actual Mr.. Buge.
Most amusing situations result, situations
which the author artiStically handles. She
has so worked up her material as to keep
UP the interest throughout the entire piece.
The engagement opens tomorrow night,
and continues until Thursday.
Walker Whiteside Coming Next Week
A dramatic event of unusual interest is
to be the engagement of Walker Whitesde
at the Grand next week. In addition to
the classic repertoire that has made Mr.
Whiteside famous, he is to play a new ro-
mantle drama, which, while calling into
play his best resources, will yet have a
fresh and lively interest from its novelty
and picturesqueness. His new play is a
dramatization of THE Man in Black"
Stanley Weyman's novel The book has
been transformed into play of even more
interest and fascination. The dramatist
mas kept the most available portions of the
book and added an entirely new concep-
ton, one that makes dual role out of the
character of the old magician Mr.. White
side goes out this year under the manage
ment of Mason Mitchell, who has engaged
a particularly fire company, including
Frederick Paulding for leading man. The
engagement here is for the first half of
next week. The advance sale opens next
Thursday at the Pembroke Arcade. In adj
dition to 1.-The Man in Black" Mr. White
side will appear in Hamlet" and Rich
elieu."