The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-25
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NENTTCT DR.. A. E. BUCHANAN
DAAA AANA 1913 When Building.
ADJUSTMENTS.

gEishs--'sIDder the Red Robe"
For two years theater-goers have heard
of Under the Red Robe" the dramatization
of Stanley Weyman's novel, which had made
so pronounced a hit in New York and other
large cities where the original company
presented the play. and the fact that the
historic romance was coming to English's
for Thanksgiving day was enough to sell
out the house last night A delayed train
prevented the curtain from going up until
after O'Clock at the matinee and an audi
@nce that partly filed the theater waited
patiently. Charles Frohman has turned
Under the Red Robe over to Julius Cohn
and it was COINS good and bad company
that gave the play here. The strength of the
play is apparent from the opening act and
its virile qualities cannot be denied when an
indifferent company is unable to spoil it,
The dominant character is Gil de Berault,
the French brawler, who is caught red
handed by Richelieu shortly after fighting
a duel, and his life is spared on condition
that he will capture the noted rebel Coche-
foret. While on his mission Berault falls
in love with Cocheforet's sister at their
chateau, and after capturing his man sets
him at liberty and returns to take his pun
ishment at the hands of Richelieu The
perverse cardinal displays some of his al
false follower and cleVerly uniteS him with
his lady love. The character of Berault
grows more powerful with each act, and the
most excellent manner in which that fine
actor William Norris portrays it redeems
the play. II is not clear how William Fav-
ersham, the original, could have played the
part better. IL is Morriss brilliant touches
MS brave handling of his sword, his sup
pressed power in the presence of women
ms ever gallant, cynical, confident manners
lhat ufaw the character of Gil de Berault
NTH as much picturesque beauty as Stanley
Weynan gave it in his novel
FRANCIS Gaunt, woman with some right
10 Leading support work, has the part of
Renee Cocheforet, formerly played by that
greatest OF Frohman leading women Viola
Allen, now the star i'm 1.-The Christian .
Miss Gaunt is acceptable with those who
have never seen Viola Allen and really gives
evidence of good dramatic fiber. The spec
tacular role Of Cardinal Rchelieu, who APP
pears IN the first and last acts, as PLAYED
by Frank McGlynn, is not at ali satisfying
and his almost total inability to suggest the
great character removes from the two weak
est acts OF the play strength that helped
make the production famous when DoddsOn
was GYMS 1t during its long metropolitan
run; Other members Of the company are bad
or Indifferent and only the strong interest
taken in the events of the story can account
for the continued success of the play. 1t
may be the fault of indianapolis that great
plays 50 frequently reach here until they
are stale or until second-rate companies
are transforming In them, but the trouble
viii be remedied and proper patronage of the
hiSh class drama can never DC expected
until the dig theatrical managers see lit TO
give this city. the best they have and give it
while IL is fresh. Under the Red Robe
will be at English's the rest of the week
with the best company that will prob
ably ever give ii in this city The play it
self is an entertainment.
ParI-ssBinck Patti TrOubadours.-
Tho management of >the Park Theater
certainly made a wise selection of a
Thanksgiving attraction when they booked
the BLACK Patti" and her troubadours.
The people turned out in such numbers to
welcome these clever people that. with the
standing-room space all pre-empted, there
were still many disappointed ones turned
away. Madame Jones. known as BLACK
Patti" has been surrounded with a COM
pany which contains no dummies or fig
ure-heads. Each and every one does some
thing and does 1t we'll Nine. Jones herself
sang such old-time favorites as "Old Ken
lucky Home and "Suwanee River" i'm a
manner that ELECTED prolonged applause
She also appeared to excellent advantage
In the last part of the programme, which
was medley OF operate selections. Ern-
est Hogan, the ''unbleached American, :"
made great nit and was recalled until
he res9lutely refused 10 appear again. He
Is a whole show in himself Alice Mackev
who possesses a powerful contralto voice
gave new force and meaning to coon songs
that have been heard often. Her fine rendi-
ton of May TWINS "He Cert My was Good
to Me. provoked great enthusiasm and a
persistent encore Miss Mackey also sang
well in the operate choruses. and did q
clever turn tn the Grand Cake Walk -
which was one OF the strong features The
cake walk prize winners were selected by