The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-25
GRAND STOCK COMPANY
NEW ORGANIZATION COMING TO IN
DIANAPOLIS THIS SEASON.
First Production VIII Be s'The Char
ity Ball." with Livina shannon
and Wright Huntington.

The Grand Opera House Stock Company,
the first to be seen in Indianapolis in many
years, will inaugurate it's first season on
Monday evening, Oct. 8. During the past
two seasons stock companies have rapidly
come into vogue again as a favorite medium
for the production at popular prices of
standard plays, which heretofore have been
presented only at high-priced theaters. The
Grand Stock Company, made up of a num-
Der of selected actors, promises to furnish
repertory of high-class plays, all staged
deliberately The opening play will be Da-
vid Belasco'S society drama, "The Charity
Ball." and the company will be seen in
such attractions as "Aristocracy," Jim
the Penman,' "An the Comforts of Home"
Lord Chumley," "Held by the Enemy"
Alabama Sweet Lavender" 1.-THE Wife,"
"AIr Barnes of New York." '"rhe Private
Secretary" Diplomacy and others The
bill will be changed each week and new
scenery painted for each play. Under the
personal supervision of Walter Clarke Bel
loves. whose wide experience enables him
to bring out all that is good in play, each
production may be expected to be both
artistic and accurate. In short, it will be
the endeavor of the management of the
Grand and its stock company to present
modern and attractive plays in the most
perfect manner possible
In the organization of a stock company
the key to success is individual merit. Each
actor in the Grand stock company is repre-
sented as being adapted exactly to the role
for which he was engaged. Lavina Shan
non, sister of Effie Shannon, the leading
woman, has essential qualifications for that
position. She was for three seasons leading
woman in Augustus Pitou's Power of the
Press" company, and acted for two seasons
in like capacity with the Girl 1 Left Be
hind Me- company. She was Clara Morris's
support for a time, after which she starred
for season in Lady Audley's Secret"
She has had other prominent engagements,
and has attained high place in the pro-
fession: Miss Shannon was born in New Or
leans, but has been a resident of Washing
ton for number of years. She is a cousin
OF the Earl of Dunraven, and her uncle,
Pierce Shannon, married a daughter of
President Taylor. The leading man of the
company, Wright Huntington, comes from
san francisco, where he has been at the
head of a stock company for two seasons.
he is spoken of as a handsome, intelligent
actor, with strong personality for the
numerous prominent roles he will have to
fill at the Grand this winter. Prior to going
to San Francisco he was with several
prominent road companies. Lillian Daily,
the company, was with Wilson Barrett
season and with Augustin Days forces
two seasons. She was also leading woman
with James o'Neill, and has played the
leading part in AN Innocent Sinner and
Hands Across the Sea-" Frederick Con-
gg ern who is to be the peiadng juysie has
Abroad, Alabama and .Triiby" com
panies; Daniel Frohman's Wife Char
and E. H. Sotherns Captain Letterblair''
company He has also been in the cast of
Gay Mr.. Iightfoot," and his stock ex-
perience has extended over wide field, in
Chicago.
Denver. Florida Kingslev the soubrette of
the company. is from San Francisco, where
her success in stock for the past two or
Denver. Florida Kingsley, the soubrette of
managers. Ernest Lamson, who has been
engaged for character parts, was for long
time in the original Shore Acres cast He
has been member of Stuart Robson's COM
pany and was in Northern Lights" Kath-
arine Field, who is to play juvenile parts.
Northern company, of Chicago. and the
Broadway Theater company, of Denver.
She was for two seasons with Lost Para
disc" and "Charley's Aunt companies.
Marie Booth, who will play character and
old-lady parts, was years ago leading juve-
nile at Wallack's Theater, New York. She
uncle, John Sleeper Clarke, at the Strand
Theater London. For two seasons she was
member of Joseph Jeffersons company,
played Diane in paul Kavaur." the title
role in THE Dominies Daughter" and has
had other prominent engagements Hardee
Kirkland another member of the company
was with Richard Mansfield for several
years. The other members of the Grand
company have had plenty of experience
necessary to qualify them as members of
the Grand stock organization.
Reference has already been made to the
engagement of Walter Clarke Believes as
stage manager. He has just finished the
work of putting on 1.-The Christian" for
Viola Allen. The estimate in which Mr.
Believes is held in the East is sufficient
Endorsement of his worth as stage direc-
tor. He has had charge of the stage of the
Lyceum Theater, in New York All the
members of the company are expected to
leave New York to-day and arrive in In
dianapolis tomorrow. They will begin re-
hearsals at once of 1.-THE Charity Ball"
the past two weeks in New York. The
scenery for the opening play is being built
and painted now at the Grand, work on it
is now almost finished and some beautiful
settings are promised on the opening night.
THE Charity Ball' is strong play, and
will test the ability Of the company from
the start Great interest will be manifested
in the opening event.
The improvements at the Grand are near
ing completion, and in few days the lobby
will be a thing of beauty. The new seats
are being put on the lower floor, and,
though it will take plenty of hustling this
week, everything Will be in readiness by
the night of Oct. 8. The scale of prices at
the Grand for the stock season will be pop
ular. Seats will be placed on sale for the
opening week next Thursday morning at
the PENN .oke Arcade. Matinees will be
given on Wednesday and Saturday of each