The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-16
ADJUSTMENTS.
EngIish's-"The New Dominion"


Until last night Indianapolis knew Clay
Clement by name only. Not all of Indian
apolis will know him otherwise to-day but
a large portion Of the best class of theater-
goers made his acquaintance across the
footlights at English's last night, and they
left the theater after four acts of his come
dy-drama, THE New Dominion" feeling
that new star worthy OF the highest re-
spect had come to town. The women of
the Flower Mission also took pleasure In
the performance aside from its artistic mer-
its, for Mr.. Clement may be said to make
his indianapolis bow under the patronage
of the Flower Mission. The charity will
share in the receipts throughout the en-
gagement. Mr.. Clement has been practical
ly an unknown quantity here, but IL his
repertory contains many characters as good
as his Baron Hohenstauffen he will not
wait long for popular recognition. Either
Clay Clement has been a close student of
Richard Mansfield or he has unconsciously
evolved the same artistic method of charac-
ter impersonation. 1t can hardly be said
that he has polished his character to the
minutest detail for which Mansfield is ia
NOUS, but one can easily see that the
polishing process is going on and that Glenn
ent's art already gives evidence of really
great talent The Baron Hohenstauffen is
made q living personality, in which the au-
dience is interested at once, and this is
a triumph for any character actor. The
baron's struggle to master the English Ian
guage gives Mr.. Clement Inc basis for
strong comedy coloring in the role, but this
is not where he has made his most worthy
success. Dialect is a trick that any vaude-
Vile man may play. Clement has
10 l.
ground theatric cloak about the
form of the aristocratic and refined
character of the man so cleverly portrayed.
Baron Hohenstauffen is intellectual, re-
sourceful and broad in his nature, or as
broad as a German scientist can be. He
is imbued with sense of honor when he
confronts villainy that makes him popular
with the gallery as we'll as with those in
the plush chairs. There is touch of sar-
casm, rare in any German, in his retort to
a man in liquor. but Hohenstauffen is a rare
character and is not off color for his &C.
centricities. His tirmneSS in rebuking Amer
lean impertinence in the quarrelsome Vir-
ginian was piece of acting that made a
stirring climax to the second act out Of
situation that ordinarily would have fig
ured as an incident only. There is no place
in the drama where the actor-author has
brought in melodramatic upToar beyond a
few strains OF Incidental music at times
the production. Mr.. Clement is par
tieularly happy in handling the
the Baron takes part and extracts both
comedy and pathos from the situations. 1t
is his ability to live the part that gives
1t its strongest appeal TO the audience.
There is no great novelty to the story.
The titled German following his scientific
pursuit in Virginia, falling in love with the
lovable daughter Of the Randolphs declar-
ing his passion in broken English, taking
his refusal like man and then buying in
the Randolph estate to prevent an unprin-
cipled Southern rival from having his own
way, turning up at Christmas time and get
ting the Randolph girl for his wife, all
goes to make a simple story but ii is one
that is told in a mastery way at times
ana leaves no question as to the ability
or the actor. Every time the curtain fell
there was continued applause and Mr.
Clement was repeatedly called out
The good impression made by Mr. Clements
play was helped not "A little by the careful
and artistic manner in which the plav was
interpreted by his supporting COMPANY The
ability of the actors and the staging Of
THE New Dominion" the scenery for
which is carried by the company, make the
production worthy any first-class theater
and the best of patronage. Jeffries d. Will
lamS made an excellent impression as the
Southerner, whose object is to forecIose n
mortgage on the Randolph estate on. force
Miss Randolph to matrimony. Frank IL
Aiken is we'll enough as Colonel Randolnh
darkey house servant. Miss Nell McE,wan
displays great ingenue possibilities in the
delicate and convincing way she presents
Miss Randolph. Her love scenes were de-
lightfuliy natural. Miss Kara Kenwvn Is
a good comedy widow open for engage
ments, and takes part with Carleton Macy,
her intatuated lover IN the prettiest piece
Mr.. Clement Will repeat his performance
of THE New Dominion" tonight and to-
morrow night, with Wednesday matinee.