The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02
THE WEEKS PLAY BILLS
"HEART or MARYLAND" AND SOL
SMITH ri ssELL AT ENGLIsH's.
Primrose and Vests Ministries and
Clay Clement at the Grand-The
Park and Empire.

1.-THE Heart of Maryland David Belas-
cos famous play, with Mrs. Leslie Carter
in the role of Maryland Calvert, in which
she won fame for herself and fortune for
the author, viii be seen at English's the
first three days of this week. The theater-
going public has heard so much of this pro-
duction that the simple mention of its COM
ing is sufficient to excite lively anticipation.
The scene is laid in Maryland during the
most trying period of the civil war. While
no actual fighting incidents are shown to
the audience, the vivid manner in which Be-
lasco, the greatest master of stage craft in
this country, has handled the story, has
caused the play to be described as a thrill
ing war drama. Such intense dramatic feel
ing is said to pervade every act, every scene,
that it holds the attention as strongly as
any play ever put on the American stage
The many striking features of the produc-
ton furnished material for numerous maya
zine articles during its long run in New
York. The greatest of these and one of the
most daring and unthought of scenes in a
modern drama is the belfry episode in the
third act, about which so much has been
written. Mrs. Carter follows the great CHI
max of her murder of the Confederate who
is dragging away the hero by climbing the
long befry stairs and giving a realistic re-
production of "Curfew Shall Not Ring To-
night something that never existed, OK
cept in imagination, until Belasco's genius
figured out how it might be produced on the
stage. During her five years Of preparation
for her success in 1.-THE Heart of Maryland
Mrs. Carter passed an apprenticeship of
hard work that is all Greek to most of the
aspiring stars. If report be true Mrs. Car
canoe, a sympathetic force and a refinement
of expression which has made it one of the
most notable portraitures of character that
has frightened the stage during the present
decade Aside from her own effective and
impassioned efforts Mrs. Carter is sup
ported by a company which includes many
efficient players whose ability in their re-
spectve roles makes the ensemble complete
ard impressive.
1T is announced that this will be the only
engagement of THE Heart of Maryland
here, as arrangements have been made to
produce the play at the Adelphi, London.
next April, under the management of
Charles Frohman. A 'popular-priced' matt
nee is announced for Wednesday,
The annual engagement of Sci Smith Rus
sell, this time at English's, for two days
only, has been for years one of the events
that call out not only the regular theater-
goers, but others who pay only rare visits
to the theaters He has a personality that
accounts, to a large extent, for this degree
Of popularity and, besides, he is a thorough
artist, and employs only artistic methods to
create amusement. Mr.. Russell and his
company will be seen in his great success
of last year, Martha Mortons comedy. "A
Bachelors Romance" at English's, next
Friday and Saturday. The play is original,
witty and natural. In it Mr.. Russell has
role which enables him to introduce little
touches both of pathos and comedy in
way that no other comedian is able to do.
"A Bachelors Romance will be given on
Friday evening and Saturday matinee. On
Saturday night Mr.. Russell will appear in
a new triple bill consisting of the one-act
gem, Mr.. Valentines Christmas, in which
Mr.. Russell made lasting impression two
seasons ago. This will be followed by
special production of THE Tanning of the
Shrew.'' Mr.. Russell taking the part of
been especially engaged, as Katherine. The
concluding play in this bill will be J. Mad
ison Morton's unique comedy in two acts.
called The Spitfire' Mr.. Russell, it is
said, has been most liberal in the proper
mounting of these plays. as he has provided
complete and original scenery, appropriate
furniture, properties and beautiful new
costumes. No theatrical attraction of the
season is anticipated with liveier degree
of interest than the engagement of Mr.. Sol
Smith Russell.