The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-11
NEMNTCT DR.. A. e. BUCHANAN
O0At 11NA sz.53 When Building
ADJUSTMENTS.

Joseph Jefferson one of the most prom
Using of the younger stars who have chal-
lenged public attention during the past few
years. will appear at English's tonight in
RIP Van Winkle,' play of which con-
siderable has been written at times and in
which Mr.. Jefferson is said to show some
11e points. Great curiosity seems to have
been aroused over this actors engagement
for one night. Nearly every seat in the
theater has been sold and it is believed
many tonight will be glad to secure stand
ing room.
Several years ago. said Jefferson to
Chicago raconteur. "a man engaged to play
Nick Vedder came on at rehearsal and COM
meneed to talk in the broadcast low Dutch
accent l stopped him at once, but in his
own defense he exclaimed:
" But Nick Vedder would talk that way,
wouldn't he, If Rip Van Wrinkle did,
" Yes 1 replied. he would, but you must
not. and no doubt the man thought me very
unreasonable. But this only illustrates the
point that many things apparently illogical
must be done on the stage to secure effect
by inspiring the imagination. Absolute real
ism would be fatal. We cannot set our
course In strict accordance with probability.
That would bring us down to the common
place level in a great hurry. Under certain
conditions 1t is the necessity of dramatic
art to make the impossible seem real"
There was another large audience at the
Grand last night TO see Mrs. Ffshe in Tess
of the D'Urbervilles." The story of her
success in other cities has been repeated in
Indianapolis and furnishes additional evil
dence for the claim that the public will
generously patronize worthy attractions
Mrs. F'iske's Tess will long be recalled as
one of the good things of the season. 1t is
so free from unnatural effects as to leave
hardly any room for criticism. but there are
two places in the great murder scene where
Mrs. F'iske has possibly overdeveloped the
action, and they come at most critical
periods. In her desire to reveal the hesita-
tion which might result while Tess is nerv-
ing herself to creep in with IL knife and
murder Alec Mrs. Fiske fingers at the
door with her head thrust halfway in
the room and her hands clutching at her
skirts. The uncertain fumbling of the skirts
is too prolonged. and although against Mrs.
Ffske's analysis, it is believed that she
could give a more faithful Interpretation
without her face thrust In at the door and
by cutting out entirely the skirt-clutching
act. She almost loses the idea that she Is
ment woman would not stop to tuck up
her dress. but she might stop. Again, when
she raises her hands above her head on dis
covering Angel Clare in the room, the
ton is more suited ito the state of mind
tnan IN the instance mentioned above. but
her hands are raised too high and give the
thought instantly of some one being held
up Mrs Fiske has probably had all kinds
OF argument over these two bits of bust
ness. but she has not yet accurately inter-
preted how they appear TO an audience.
Any act at such time that attracts UNI
necessary attention to mere property
detracts from the meaning of the panto-
mime.
Mrs. Fiske and her company will go from
here TO ST. Louis for week. The matinee
ct the Grand this afternoon and the per-
formance tonight will conclude her en-
gagement. The advance sale for to-day is
very large and leaves no doubt of the entire
success of her visit here.
Cyrene's Vaudevilles give two more per-
formances at the Empire to-day. Next week
comes San II. Jacks Orange Blossoms. .
al Reeves was presented by Wulschner
& Son with a handsome guitar at the Park
last night during his act His company will