The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-09
ADJUSTMENTS.
EngIish's-"Never Again.


It was an unmistakaBle French farce that
began brief engagement at Englis h's
last night; French in tone. French in
characters, Frenchiest of the French in sit
uations and written by two 'Frenchmen
who understood how to dish up the French
horse play in the longtime accepted fash
ion of farces meant to amuse the French
public. The easiest and simplest trick for
fun on a French stage is to introduce sup
posedly respectable husbands and wives in
scenes where the husband are deceiving
their wives and where the wives are MAX
ing husbands worse than discarded lovers.
Old Ribot, with wife WHO is conveniently
dumb, meets the frolicsome wife of the
celebrated 'cellist Katzenjammer. Old
Ribot's son-in-law has also met Nine
Katzenjammer. The instant Mime. Katzen-
TANNER makes her entrance with a few can
can steps and a Turkish twinkle in her
rulnouS black eyes, the audience under
stands how deep must be the guilt of
both Ribot and his Son-in-law. KatZen-
TANNER himself is a self-satisfied musical
virtuoso, blind to his wifes intrigues and
everything else save his fame. A thrifty
French milliner provides the many roaring
situations that are piled on each other in
the second act by sending out anonymous
letters to a number of wives to call at
place in the Rue Sardine and there obtain
proof OF their husbands guilt. The milliner
males to whom he sells his has and then
tells them they are mistaken. But Old Ribot
has engaged quarters in the building where
he brings Nine. KatzenJammer to enjoy
bird and a cold bottle. katzeniammer hap
pens in and the convenient French screen
conceals his wife. He makes very inOppOr-
tune jokes about husban ds whose wives are
having a gay time in such a manner, and of
course, the audience roars. Sooner or later
caught in the room with Nine KatZenjam-
mPr ana there is complication which only
handle OF course, everybody is brought
out of the guilty escapade without the good
wives discovering the facts. 1t is the first
real French piece this town has had in
years and in spite of the wretchedly medi-
ocre company the audience is kept enter
tanned. Never Again has been adver-
tised as great New York success. 1t was
New York success but in New York it
was put on With a company of actors who
could bring out its merits. The company at
Englishs last night is the rottenest mo. %
company that has been to this town since
"Charley's Aunt. In some of the minor
parts are actors who are on Frohman's
regular list, but the principals play like
transformers, with the exception of John
Murphy, as old Kibot, and Sarah Maddern,
as Mime. katzeAJammer. Sarah Maddern
has really a touch of the French gaiety
necessary for the part, but she is playing
most of the time alongside of a bunch of
wooden actors who are surprise in
81 first-class theater. 1t might as well be
said now as later that If the new manage
ment of Englishs, which is in with the big
syndicate, is gong to begin to work off No
2" companies on Indianapolis, it will find
hard shedding during its tenure. 1t is i'm
possible not TO contrast the company play
ing Never Again with the company that
presented The Girl from Paris" at the
Grand recently. In the case of THE Girl
from Paris II was not claimed that it was
the original company, but the performance
was excellent enough TO pass for one. At
Englishs last night some of the actors APP
peared In slovenly "make-ups" and looked
as If they had yet to learn the first prin-
chile of putting on grease paint The com
pai1y struck one as being designed solely
for transforming purposes. There will be
a popular-priced matinee to-day and a final
performance tonight.
A prominent New York dramatic critic
has styled Tim Murphy 1.-THE nineteenth
century David Garrick" Mr. ATurphv's
manager has taken up the compliment and
vertising.
A unique feature of the performance to
be given by Primrose & Vests minstrels
at English's. Friday and Saturday nights.
Will be a novelty in the dancing line. in
vented and arranged by George w. Lewis
entitled the Metaphrase dance" 1t is a
combination Of all the modern stage dances
including the French quadrille acrobatic
whole to terminate with a transformation
scene. Special scenery and mechanical ef-
fects are carried by the company for this
act.
The first three nights of next week a new
star and a new play viii be introduced TO
Indianapolis at English's Clay Clement,
who has never been seen here viii present
his own comedy, The New Dominion