The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-06
ADJUSTMENTS


A season of refined and gentle comedy
opened at the Grand last night, when Clay
Clement returned with his beautiful play,
''rhe New Dominion" Mr.. Clements for
mer visit, under the auspices of the Flower
Mission. earlier in the season was his first
introduction TO indianapolis theater-goers,
and the impression he made al that time
justified him in desiring TO cultivate fur
Their friendly relations with this city. Mr..
Clement gives promise OF becoming a pow
erful Western genius who may some day
storm the citadel of art and let in sunlight
on a waste of degenerate sensationalism. His
efforts have been so sincere and his sue
cess already so marked that one gladly
searches for the incest things to say about
him. While his play is not the greatest
American comedy nor his impersonation
of the unique German baron the greatest
piece of art on the stage, both are surprls-
ingly well performed and both have the
added glory of being original. A breath of
real life now and then on the stage is a
relief from what is found in the borrowed
English plays and served up by English ac-
tors. who Just now seem to be the favorites
in the larger cities. Whatever pleases
IN New York has 10 be accepted by the
provinc.als, or they will go hungry. Mr..
-
writing nor in the manner of his produce
ton His Baron Hohenstauffen is by no
means a copy of anything done by Richard
Mansfield, who Scr some years has set the
pace for original German characters. Mr..
Clement is not an imitator. but no doubt.
when he grows more experienced In the
methods of the great character actors his
own art will broaden. When that time
comes petty criticism will not serve to
hinder his success in New York as he is now
i success in the West; There are many
delightful points in THE New Dominion"
that no one but Clement would have
thought out. The pretty story about
the flower Is pure gem and is said
TO have been introduced i'm the school read
ers in some of the Western States The
comedy episode where he teaches the Vir-
ginia. girl the German alphabet is an unaf-
fected and entertaining bit OF real art The
play of emotions IS not severely contrasted
but in the mellow. impressonist shading OF
the character he impersonates there is
tionalism. There is a strong gentlemanly
scene when the baron rebukes an insolent
calls for the star. The play IS a love cpl
sode. with Just enough plotting on the part
OF well-sketched villain To charm an au-
dience. As Mr. Clements first venture in
bodybuilding, The New Dominion" gives
the author "a high place among the modern
dramatic writers. IL gives promise. even.
that this Western star may have the ma
terial for the great American play which
seems always IN the future. There are a few
changes IN the cast since Mr.. Clements last
appearance here, and they are not for the
cenent Interpretation OF the reckless. un-
principled SOutherner, and Miss Nell Mr.
Even continues to win applause for her
'atural and winsome ways as the of'en-
simply bosses the whole stage IN the role of
the widow. but William r. Mack, the new
man playing the young attorney in love with
me WIDOW Is not well cast 4. w WAL