The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-18
MUSEMENTS
EngIisb's-.An America Citizen

Englisb's-"An American Citizen
Nat c. Goodwin. surrounded by the best
support he has ever had and with the most
interesting play in which he has appeared
in years. was the combination that fairly
packed English's Opera House last night.
Mr.. Goodwin was secured for only one night
here and the demand for seats resulted al
most In a sell-out before the curtain went
up. The great audience was ready with APP
plause at every occasion, giving Mr.. Good
win curtain calls after each act and drag
ging a speech from him after the second.
The new play by Madeline Lucette Ryley
was at first received with some hesitation.
Goodwin. as the victim member of a ven-
turesome firm. seemed to have a part very
like his old "Gilded Fool" character. with
which the public was too familiar to be-
come much enthused. His comedy action
was continuously entertaining and the seri-
Gus touches were more frequent and more
effective than in any of his previous plays.
With the appearance of the
about Maxine Elliott, a new and beautlful
feature was introduced into the performs
ance. From that moment there was never
any question as to the success OF the pro
duction. Miss Elliott's dark rich beauty
was found to have been not over praised.
Even the women were probably a unit in
acknowledging that she was not mas
Ibci dblDSs dc man, ~ nv Stdct ~
are wont to do. No press agents story has
been too flattering of her personality. Miss
Elliott fairly divided the attention with the
comedian whenever she was on the stage.
Her face was a continual study and one
that suggested either great comedy or
great tragic possibilities. according 10 the
point of view. Her figure was perhaps too
prominent about the hips for ethereal rap
ture, but it lacked none of the necessary
that would make her sought
after by artists. She looked to be a re-
incarnation of Cleopatra. Miss Elliott's art
is not a dominating affair. nor is it neces-
up for whatever she lacks in character eX-
preston.
Gertrude Elliott was recognized at once
as a pocket edition, so to speak. of her
beautiful and somewhat larger elder sister.
Then there was the attractive Hattie Rus
sell. who always well represents the ia
nous family from which she comes. Estelle
Mortimer. the once famous Australian
prima donna. was particularly pleasing in
the part of an elderly woman always ready
for a Irritation of the nonsensical character.
Among the male members William Inger-
soil had the most to do as the business
partner in the firm which Goodwin repre-
scented and gave his role all the coloring
that was possible. perhaps, and not alb
sorb too much from the main roles. Frazer
Coulter was a caDitai a~bsconder. one who
seemed easily clever enough 10 die as often
as the occasion required or marry a woman
whenever it was to his commercial ad-
vantage.
The play is in some respects quite
original. The garret-like, scene setting, for
the ldSI ACT duuS 10 the DalnOS WnlCn
Goodwin was able TO introduce and helped
to send the people home with choking SEN
sations in the throat as the curtain fell on
a united couple cozily spooning in a large
rocking chair.
Frederick Warde begins his engagement
at English's tomorrow night in King
Lear which he has revived this season
with great success. On Saturday night Mr..
Warde will appear in Damon and
Pythias." The supporting company is ex-
ceptionalIy good and includes Charles SUIT
ten, Beverly Turner, Ernest &. Warde.
Harry c. Burton, Charles Clarke. Darrell
Ninton, Lionel Clarke. Thomas Adson
Smith, Milledge Sherwood, Moreton Bak-
ers and the Misses Florence Wilburham.
Beta villiars. Marcia T~readwill. Helen
Baker and Phyllis AshcOm. Mr.. Warde car
ries all the scenery for his production of
king Lear" and it has made a big hit.
The Grand turned people away matinee
and night yesterday. Shaft No. - is
doing a great business. 1t remains the rest
of the week. The cinematographe pictures
capture the audiences just as they did at
the Park. They are always interesting and
p. m. Next Monday Gus HilTs 50 NoVeltieg
come to the Grand for three days of high
class vaudeville.
William III. Crane will be at English's
the last half of next week in Martha Nor
toms latest comedy. "A Fool of Fortune"
SO WIZ oINH AcAAAa
The Fay Foster Company is meeting with
success at the Empire this week. The pro-
gramme is excellent. Next week the big
spectacular production Zero" will be the
Offering. This big production was first pre-
scented ct the Empire last season. The
scenic effects this season are said to be
more elaborate than ever.
Martha Morton the Playwright.
Martha Morton. the young woman who
wrote "A Fool of Fortune" Mr.. Cranes
new play. is probably the most successful
Of all the women who are writing for the
stage. While going to school, ten years
ago. she wrote a burlesque on a popular
play that her parents had taken her to see.
For the entertainment of a friend the bur-
lesque was read one evening. and this
friend was so much impressed with it that
he called it to the attention of a manager.
In this way it came to be produced. and its
success was such that the young girl. who
had previously only thought of writing for
amusement. was bundled off to France to
study the drama and dramatic. literature.
When she returned she brought with her a
pretentious drama called Helene" which
found a purchaser in Clara Morris. who
Then followed The Merchant" which was
a prize play; Godfrey Middleton, Gentle
man" Brother John" His wife's Faith
er" and "A Bachelors Romance" All fol-
lowed close on the heels of one another.
and all were successful. "A Fool of For
tune is said to be. by all manner of means.
the best work written by the young woman.
Miss Morton herself thinks so. and says
that she put more earnest thought and eff
fort into IL than she did in any OF her plays
that preceded IL. This is the play that Mr..
Crane is to present in this city during his
coming engagement, following the great
hit in New York.
BETTER Luck for Grand Opera.
CHICAGO. March T.-Maurice Grau def
initely decided to-day that the Metropol-
itan Opera Company, previous TO its de-
parture for London. would give four fare
well performances in New York. as follows:
Monday evening. April II, Faust" with
Mines, Calve and Mantelli. the two DE
Reszkes and Lasalle in the cast: Wednes-
day evening. April II. 'Siegfried;'' Thurs
day evening. April 10. Carmen" and Sat
urday afternoon. April Il, a farewell NATL
nee. for which the opera has not yet been
decided The prospects of the company
have considerably frightened during the
last few days. Business in Chicago during
the last week of the season was more than
satisfactory. The reports that MIR. Grau
has received from st. Louis, Louisville. Gin
cinnati and Boston indicate that the bust
ness there will be profitable. The company
starts for St. Louis on two special trains,
leaving here Sunday morning at 1875
o'clock.
NOrdicn's Triumph i'm New York.