The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-08
0ENTTCT DR.. A. E. BUCHANAN
OAA LANA 1888 When Building.
ADJUSTMENTS.


GEan0-''A social Ht1hWayman."
The Grand Stock Company scored a great
triumph in Its initial presentation of "A
Social Highwayman" last night. So nicely
balanced were the characters and SO natur-
ally played were the roles that the audience
took the play with marked appreciation of
curtain calls and generous applause. An al
most fatal defect is noticed in the work of
the playwright. In Mrs. Trains book, from
which the play was dramatized, a fairly
satisfactory reason is given for the pecula-
tions of Courtice Jaffrey, the social high
wayman. and why he committed them only
against those who could stand the loss of
their valuables. The playwright has entire
ly omitted giving this or any other reason,
but contents hersele with bare implica-
ton that he steals because he breads the
idea of working for living.
Mr. Hardee Kirkland has been assigned
the difficult role of Courtice Jaffres, and
rare good judgment was displayed in maxi
ing this assignment. 1t would be hard to
conceive a more finished piece of realism
than his portrayal of this puzzIing charac-
ter, thief whom people are forced to adj
mire, even after he is convicted out of his
own mouth. Sharing the honors with Mr..
kirkland at almost every stage of the play
was Mr.. Horning IN his clever impersona-
bAOu OI JdIkEey NdlGJ, nanny. MT.
Horning has a thorough conception of the
part and he puts into it a power of express
sion that makes it almost if not quite equal
to Mr.. E. NJ Hollands portrayal of the
same character. This is a strong assertion,
but it is due Mr.. Horning and will stand
argument. In the last act, where Handy
sees his master, who has befriended him
when he had become a social pariah, brought
in dead Mr. Horning rises to the occasion
and furnishes a most vivid portrayal of
human affection stirred TO its Utmost depths.
1t is a trifie more spectacular than Hol-
lands great impersonation, but shows no
other weakness. Not by spoken words, nor
by wringing Of hands, but by his facial ex-
preston of dumb despair and intense
agony, does he give an almost faultless pic
ture of the feelings of a man who has lost
his best friend.
The women of the company quite meas
ured up to the demands that were made on
them, although they labored under the dis
advantage of being assigned to parts in
play whose interest centers almost entirely
in the male characters. Miss Shannon at
tracted attention and admiration, not only
by her clever acting. but by the elegance
OF her costumes as well. Miss Daley
strengthened the rapidly growing impress
SION IflaL she Is one OF the dDleSl IHSIll-
bers of the company. Miss Field, Miss Berg
and Mrs. Bankson all appeared to advan-
tage. Miss Marie Booth had one of the
most difficult roles of the play, that of the
wierdly natural Mrs. Deane. medium,
who has only one scene, but one of great
import. Miss Booth managed the gruesome
seance In an effective manner. 1t suggested
shivers and dead hands.
The SplendOF of the stare settings was
the subject of much favorable comment.
The scene depicting Courtice Jaffrey's
apartments was all that could be desired.
Oriental richness of furnishing and lavish
profusion of bric-a-brac. such as are found
in the rooms OF rich clubmen, was distrib-
uted with high artistic effect. The studio
scene was also fine. but the genius of stage.
craft was exercised to the greatest limit in
the last scene, representing Mrs Pyle's
country home, at which Jaffrey is finally
forced to reveal himself in his true char
acter in order to save an innocent man
from bearing the burden of suspicion which
belonged TO himself. And here occurred the
most impressive situation of the play. After
confessing his real character Jaffrey looks
around sees the woman ne loves passing
onto a portico which has been declared dan
Rerous on account of defective masonry,
rushas 70 save her from possible harm end
is killed by a mass of bricks falling on him.
He is gently carried into the house and laid
on a divan. Henceforth few words are
spoken but the acme of realistic acting is
reached The beautiful closing panromime
OF tender respect paid the errng fellow by
his sole remaining friend. Handy. won SIN
cerest praise from the large audience last
Aioht "A Social Hignwayman" viii be con-