The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-12
PLAY BILLS THIS WEEK
DENMAN THOMPSON At ENGLIsH'S
AFTER NINE YEARS ABSENCE.
Wilton Iackaye in His New Play Lat
er in the Week-Announcements
tor Park and Empire.

English's Opera House was slated for
busy time this week, three shows being
booked, but one has been Cancelled, and
christopher. Jr. with George Backus in
the role formerly taken by John Drew, VIII
not be seen here. The play was booked
for Monday and Tuesday nights, but its
tour has been discontinued. 1t is to be
hoped that so fine an actor as George
Backus will soon have something besides
a warmed-over production in which to star.
With christopher, Jr." out of the way,
Englishs will be dark Monday and Tues
day nights. Still two good attractions are
left to divide the other four nights None
other than the only Denman Thompson
win present "Old Homestead Wednesday
and Thursday evenings, and Wilton Lack
aye will appear in THE Royal Secret Fri
day and Saturday nights and at Saturday
matinee.
II is nine years since Denman Thomp
son was seen in Indianapolis, and his return
will be a welcome engagement. His star
has gone on gaining in brilliancy till he
ranks with the characters of the dramatic
profession, along with Jefferson and his
kind. He has won his way to most en-
viable position. The road to it has been
long, though one of continuous successes
and constant ascent Denman Thompson
is now sixty-four years old. He was born
of old New England stock and reared
among the characters he portrays the chief
trait of whom is sturdy manhood, with
plenty of common sense and moral recti-
tude From the farm young Thompson
went to the carpenters shop. 1t is said of
him that he was more fond of sports than
of books At the age of seventeen he decid-
ed life in a New Hampshire village was too
slow and he set out for Boston, on foot.
The first thing there which attracted his
attention was Tyron's circus. He became
its property boy and afterward one of its
star acrobats. In the winter of 1850 he
made his first stage appearance at the
Howard Athenaeum, Boston, going on as a
super" Charlotte Cushnan was the star
of the company, playing Lady Macbeth.
Then he became a museum and side
show lecturer and finally went into
vaudeville, doing song-and-dance work.
He has been a negro minstrel and, of course.
has played Uncle Tom. Later he served a
long time in stock company IN toronto
Mr.. Thompson was always popular play ar,
but he never made any money till the birth
of his Uncle Joshua. With his "Oid Home
stead completed his fortune was assured
He first produced his play in PittsbIrg In
1875. He went 10 that city with an Irish
piece, in which he did a lot of Vancing.
During the engagement he was stricken
with rheumatism. 1t seemed his dancing
days were over, and If he remained in the
profession ii was certain it would be
through his brains to the exclusion of his
heels. Under these circumstances, and while
confined to his bed he conceived the idea
Of Yankee character of the quiet, homcly
kind one that depended for its effects more
on dialogue than dramatic business. AT
first Joshua Whitcomb was the merest
sketch, requiring but twenty-five minutes
for it's entire production. There were but
two scenes-the street scene, in which
Uncle Josh on his first trip to Boston had
8 number of exciting and laughable adven-
lures with low types of city life: and the
birthday party at which he made the iVliest
cort OF merriment by his rustic manners and
homely talk. The next spring he added
Roundy, the bootblack, and Tot, the cross
ing sweeper. Other acts and scenes were
added until the sketch rose TO the dignity
OF play, first presented as such in Chi
Scago at Hooleys in 1877. BY the time the
piece had played to San francisco and back
Mr.. Thompson and his manager had about
aze90oo to divide. New York was the last