The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-13
nENTTOT DR.. A. E. BUCHANAN
OAAt A4Nx Sz.53 When Building
ADJUSTMENTS.

Charles e. Blaney, the author of "The
Electrician "a Boy Wanted "A Baggage
Check" "a Hired Girl "a Railroad
Ticket and "A Run on the Bank" is a
man of ideas and methods. Although he
has written all these plays, and each of
them has been great success; though he
has to select over $50 actors every season
for us many parts, he has confidence in
his own judgment. 1t takes man of brains
and bravery to say that. 81 know only one
standard in which 1 have confidence" said
Mr.. Blaney, land that is the judgment of an
audience. 1 don't care how much it's
opinion and my ideas may clash, the au-
dience is always right, What it likes l
keep; what it passes over in silence / cut.
When man asks me to come into theater
and watch his speciality 1 always refuse,
but call my stage manager and have him
arrange for that man to do his speciality
some place in the play. | sit out front.
don't watch the performer. 1t don't make
any difference whether | like him or not.
/ watch the audience. If it is entertained
and pleased and applauds ana encores, tnen
the act is a hit with me. By that policy
! have nothing in play OF mine which
don't please my public.
One of the hits in Charles E. Blaney's
"a Boy Wanted" which opens at the Park
this afternoon for three days, is a clever
boxing match between Eddie Heron and
Nellie O'Neil. She is supposed to be train
ing him for a boxing match with we'll
Known WI figRter and is endeavoring to show
him his opponents weak points. Miss
O'Neil punches the bag. in a manner that
would do credit to champion;
The clio of Sam T. Jacks Orange Bios
eoms.' at the Empire this week, introduces
Siegfried. the man of many faces,
the poor old maid" and Charlotte, the
"human lizard"
Heading the programmed list of stars at
the Sunday evening concert in the Metro
poIitan Opera House on the night of Nov.
q was the name ''Luta Van Courtlandt,
soprano" 1t led those of Plancon, Pugno,
Ysaye and Gerardy. There was wonder who
the stranger might be, and when the pretty,
graceful figure came on the stage and the
accompanist played the opening bars of
Gounod's Queen of Sheba,' a hush fell
over the audience. At the conclusion of her
song there happened a thing unprecedented
in the Metropolitan. The singer was delib-
erately Kissed. and the scattering applause
OF the girls synpatn ls only serVeu 70
Miss Van Courtlandt reached the dressing
rooms in some way. There she collapsed,
a wreck Critics, kindly TO the girl in mis-
fortune, said that her failure had been due
TO excessive stage fright, rather than FAULTY
of art but she refused to be eomforted, and,
tossing in delirum. she sung over and over
again the song with which she had hoped
10 reach the hearts of her hearers.
Miss Van Cortlandts failure her friends
say is unaccountable She is no tyro to be
frightened at the first CLEAN of thousands
of eyes staring at her. She had studied
music for twenty-five years here and in
Europe always seeking the best opponents
of the art she was trying to master. Her
technique was said to be perfect; She sang
ct more than eighty concerts in Europe
when she was last abroad.
Her homecoming was eagerly awaited by
American managers and she was engaged
by those who have the Metropolitan con-
certs i'm charge almost the day of her ar
such thing as breakdown was never
thought Of IT is said that even should she
recover she will never sing again. Her con-
Ciition kept secret by her family for two
weeks, is now said TO be critical.
One of the anecdotes which Miss Julia
Arthur tells of her experience with Sir
Henry Irvings company is an occurrence
H. at took place upon the first day of her
engagement with him. Irving had expressed
himself in advance that her american ac-
cent as he called ut, would jar with the
decided English pronunciation of the rest
of the company. Before the performance he
was in a more nervous state than was the
debutante herself. for this reason. After
the final curtain, however, he sent for Miss
Arthur and said i'm his well-known way:
What has become of your accent?'
Miss Arthur looked at him wonderingly.
When you off the stage" continued
the great play producer. Il notice it, but
when you are on / DON'T remark that
Miss Arthur could never determine whether
meant as a compliment to her artistic inn
pulses on the stage. or due to Sir HenryS
interest in her acting.
One of the pleasanteSt memories Miss
Arthur has of her experiences in England
was the time she was sent for to play the
role of Imogen when Miss Terry was In
Monte Carlo pending the production of
Sans Gene" After the last performance
OF "Imogen,' Mr.. Irving called at Miss
Arthurs dressing room ard asked If she
intended devoting herself TO legitimate plays
in the future when she should return TO