The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-26
nTMNTCH DIR. A. E. BUCHANAN
UuN11U1 sz.ss When Building
ADJUSTMENTS.

1.-THE Sign of the Cross threatens to be-
come something of Il rage at English's
before the week is over. Another good
sized audience witnessed last nights per-
Torrance and the advance sale for to-day's
matinee is so large that only few seats
remain on the lower floor, while the ball
eony was entirely sold out yesterday morn
ing. In spite of the technical defects in
the production THE Sign of the Cross"
has a. charm that one cannot easily get
away from. There is an individual magnet
ism about the characters and the personal
ity Of those appearing in the company that
commands extended praise from those who
have witnessed the production. The English
custom of reading the lines is a novelty
that is not entirely acceptable at times. but
tho charm as whole grows on the audi
ence, Some of the choicest lines which
Charles Dalton has ere not even heard by
the audience. while the strained effort, the
artificial mounting OF the man who plays
Favius gives idea of the philosophc
and putative nature of the aged Christian.
Miss Rockies Mercia is Il veritable inspira-
ton and gives the audience a new sersa-
ton in stage acting. Miss Gertrude Boswell,
the American girl in the company who
plays the Christian boy Stephanus, is at
times thrilling and always appealing, but
one cannot help thinking she DISPLAYS "a
fatter pair of legs than any half-starved
Christian boy ever could. The company is
distinctly strong. but uneven In places.
Hubert Druce's Cflabrio. 4 drunken char
acter throughout the entire play might be
made as picturesque Falstaff, but it is
amateurlsh and wholly without any dis
eliminating comedy. Marion Grey as Pop
paea, IS as graceful in the art of gestures
as Bernhardt. The cicisbeo character OF
Philodemus illustrates "A custom in Ncros
time with married women that has long
since been discarded by civilized matrons
and II could stand a little more coloring
Sign of the Cross is such that 1t will con-
tinue TO grow in interest as the week adj
vances
Mr.. Frank Mckee, OF Hoyt & Mckee. and
Mr.. Richard Stahl. one of the best directors
in the country, also of the Hoyt forces arr
rived Yesterday from St. Louis with BUS
mess Manager Z. NJ. Dasher to observe the
work Of two pretty dancers now in the
city with view of putting them in a Hoyt
company. After witnessing their work Mr.
mckee decided that he could not use them.
Lee NJ Boda, manager of the Valentine
Company, that controls English's Theater
was taken i'll in Columbus this week and
Is threatened with typhoid fever.
Mr.. De Wolf Hopper awakened :. gallery
demonstration that threatened at one time
almost TO assume the form of a riot at the
Columbia last night. He refused TO recite
Casey at the Bat" After the first act.
there were the usual recalls and the usual
demands for "a speech. and for the epic so
Intimately connected with Mr.. Hoppers ar
tisttc career. The speech was granted but
casey WAS rot. The comedian promised
some gems of thought after the next act
and his more ardent admirers grew silent
At the prospect. When the second act
closed, with waving Of flags a brass band
and other politico-miitarv accessories the
curtain was rung up and Sousa's stars
and Stripes Forever WAS given as an en-
core. Insatsfied with second speech fail
ing 10 end with Casey" tho feelings OF
the gallery, preyed upon by mingled emo
tons. required bit of police interference
TO calm them.-Chieago Tribune
Camille Cleveland the pretty mezzo-so-
prano. WHO made hit here in "The Good
MIR. Best carly in the season. will join
lHoyt's "A Stranger in New York here
lne1t Monday night JOSEPH Eosne. who