The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-04
ADJUSTMENTS.
Maryland"

EnEIish's-"The Heart of Maryland"
David Belasco has crowded as much in
the four acts of THE Heart of Maryland"
as one sees in two ordinary plays In reality
he has written two plays in one and the
action of both is carried on at the same
time Off the stage there is thrilling war
drama in progress. This is written for
the ear. The audience catches only a
glimpse now and then of the intense mill
tary situations; few squads of soldiers
appear and are gone, a dismounted cavalry
man rushes on covered with dust, a wound
ed prisoner passes in charge of a guard. or
a patroling picket comes in view But
these are only eddies in the current of mill
tary events that one believes are rapidly
passing in that vast mysterious borderland
just back of the stage wings. During the
progress of the play two battles are
fought two great armies take
up their positions, perilous, strategic move
ments are conducted, an assault on town
is made at night the tramp of soldiers is
heavy, the rush of cavalry is enough to
inspire any old soldiers blood, the heavy
artillery is brought into action a Confed-
crate regiment is repulsed and cut to pieces,
spies are shot, the funeral of a general
takes place, and in the accomplishment of
all this exciting spectacle hardly more than
dozen muffied shots are heard, no
army is seen. the charge of battalions
IS only imaginary. No actual war is in
sight It is only the masterful stagecraft
of David BeIasco, who so thoroughly under
stands the worth of a dramatic incident, or
a pit of suggestive scenery. that he can
lead an audience into the very heart of
what seems to be a thrilling display of
warfare without doing more than unmask-
ing a battery, two pieces of artillery being
shown only in one scene. He has utilized
this subtle deception OF war merely as a
portrayed in full view of the audience.
Naturally it dovetails into the more spec
tacular illusion of the war episodes.
The fate of the real characters of the
play is all intricately interviewer with the
cleVerly simulated minutiae OF the stage.
The real play. the one that BelaSco has
built for the eyes of the audience, concerns
Maryland Calvert and her sweetheart, Alan
Kendrick. He is in the Union army. while
his father is the commanding general or the
Confederate forces at the scene of the play.
There is "A most conspicuous villain, Colonel
Thorpe, wearing the rebel uniform and also
playing spy for the North. Thorpe had been
drummed out of the company once IN Mex
leo on being exposed by young Kendriek,
and when he finally comes to succeed Cen
er8l kendrick in command of the Confed-
prisoner, he is AFFORDED one Of the best stu
atoms stage villain ever had. 1t is IN the
conflict with this Colonel Thorpe that Mrs.
Leslie Carter, as Maryland Calvert, looms
up. the one great spectacular feature of
THE Heart Of Maryland spectacular IN
art, in realism and in her magnetic control
OF the audience. Theater-goers nave always
understood that BeFnhardt was the one
queen of theatrical art who toyed with the
emotions Of an audience at VIII. Iney nave
paid double prices for BerEharut seats. ane
while watching the graceful eYolutions OF
The wiry French woman attempted 20 nyF-
notize themselves into tbs belief that they