The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-01
NENTTCT DR.. A. E. BUCHANAN
0IAt In 4 sz-33 When Building
ADJUSTMENTS.
Grand-.The Good Mr.. Resi-. y

Grand-s"Ihe Good MIR. Best"
No diadem will ever bedeck the brow of
Playwright McNally for turning out THE
Good Mr.. Best" but the performance as
given last night by large company of
talented people seemed to be Ia
terrific hit with the audience at
the Grand Judged strictly as a
with any of McNally's former successful
slSits The play, if it may be so dignified.
was evidently writer for entertainment
merely, and in this respect it is a success,
almost bowling triumph. There is more
music, singing and dancing than many of
the alleged comic operas offer, and what
is still more ccmmendable, there is far less
talk. The dialogue situations enable nearly
q dozen leading members of the company
TO score distinct hits and there are doz-
en- people in the cast who know how to
score when they come on 1t is light
breezy and not infrequently melodious pot
pourrI, and any one of the well-known
stage people In the company is clever
enough to give a vaudeville speciality on the
least provocation r. A. Roberts plays the
entertaining, but erratic Tom Best like a
WhlrlWlnd. John Sparks, who has the role
or an irish Cuban, is predestined to precipi-
tate laughter ana lives up to his reputation.
julius Wttmark, whose beautifully senti-
mental and intense rendering of ballads has
MADE MIN about the most popular man in
"
actor for the first time in this city having
q boyish sentimental role that fits him like
a Romeo. He also has two songs, both poor
selectons, which he sings with so much
Charm that they receive undeserved encores.
The audience was aching for something
more acceptable, but Witmark didn't seem
TO realize it. Among the men Joseph Coyne
undoubtedly made the hit of the evening in
the much overworked character of an En-
glish featherbrain, his song being repeated
~ encored. But IL the men are clever in
The Good Mr.. Best" the women rank
right alongside. Mrs. Anna Yeamans has
to triumph for her I'm any company
Camille Cleveland, in all her grace and
plumpness, is lively entertainer as the per-
picked Good Mrs. Best, not taking the part
favorites with the audience. TO her other
accomplishments She has added that
OF prlma donna, singing as If she
had been drilled for a star role
soubrette when she gives her French song
and dance. Lastly there is rosy-posie Josie
Soldier, as Teutonic as a bretzel, having
her own way as Gretchen Stowe. Since Miss
Saddler first made a hit in a German
.sIaveyH' character, several years ago, there
is hardly farce written which does not
have its stereotype counterpart of her spe-
cialty, but she is the original package. Miss
Saddler also has song that cut largely into
the honors won by the rest of the company
last night. Back of the Leading people is
chorus Of shapely girls. although none too
graceful, but who have been drilled to as
sist with dance steps in most of the songs.
A novel feature is introduced in the last act
in the shape of cinematographe views, show
Ing what is going in different parts of
Tom BeSts house and serving to entangle
the alleged plot of the farce. The costumes
and scenery are new and lend color to each
act THE Good Mr. Best will remain at
the Grand the rest of the week and will adj
vertise itself before 1t leaves town.