The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-06
GRAND sToCK coMPANY.
Special Production of sIrs. Stones "a
Social Highwayman.''

Social HighW0ym2n."
One of the most talked-about productions
at the Grand Opera House during the sea-
son two years ago was "a Social High
wayman," Mary Stones dramatization Of
Elizabeth Phipps Trains story, as played
by the Hollands and their company. This
play will be put on this week by the Grand
stock company at that theater, and the cast
will be able to give fine performance. Mr..
Kirkland and Mr.. Horning will take the two
characters played by the Hollands. As far
as the cast in general goes it will stand
comparison easily enough with the original.
In point IF scenic equipment this week
production at the Grand will far outshlne
the one of two years ago. 1t is the inten-
ton to make the setting which is used for
the first and second acts and which shows
the apartments in New York of Courtice
Jaffrey, the handsomest yet seen at the
Grand during the stock company's season.
"A Social Highwayman" takes it's name
from the manner in which Courtice Jaffrey
enriches himself at the expense of his
wealthy friends to keep an invalid mother
in luxury. Jaffrey has in his employ
valet whom he has taken fresh from prison,
and who is devoted to him and his inter-
ests. This servant, whose name is Jenkins
Handy, soon discovers his masters pre-
objection for taking things that do not be-
long to him, and spends much of his time
scheming TO shield Jaffrey from the certain
consequences Of his acts. The scenes be-
tween master and servant, the characters
played by Kirkland and Horning, are very
strong and there is no lack of powerful
situations in which other persons i'll the cast
are involved. JamTey falls in love with
Elinor Burnham Miss Shannon) and his
love 10 r.a1 fc ole laTrnd fxr
fine, manly young fellow, Merton Harley,
one of Jaffrey's friends, who makes little
progress, however, despite the fact that
Jalfrey, realizing his own unW0rthineSs,
tries to further his cause with Elinor. A
certain Sonora Caprices, a sort of an adj
yenturess with an ugly past discovers
him. She is, however, held in check by
Handy, who knows enough of her past TO
keep her silent. In the third act occurs
most unusual scene, spirituaistfc seance,
wherein the medium is asked to describe
the person who has been guilty of the sew
eral thefts that are ag1tatlng JaHreys CIR
Gle Of friends. She does so, and her de-
scrption applies about as well to Harley
as to Jaffrey, and the latter's temporary
absence from the room at the time puts
upon Harley the stigma of suspicion follow
ing the description. This is most dra-
matte scene and entirely different from any
thing ever before introduced in play
Matters come to climax in the fourth act
when Handy, in his efforts to ward off sus-
picion from his master, openly accuses Har-
ley to one of Jaffrey's friends This friend
in turn, makes the accusation public, and
Harley demands a full explanation. Then
Jaffrey forces Handy to admit that he lied,
and in answer to a direct question as TO
the identity of the culprit, Handy takes the
crimes on himself. This self-sacrifce, how
ever is wasted, for Jaffrey then confesses
his guilt in a scene which is fraught with
dramatic strength. Mixed up with all this
there is much society small talk and some
clever comedy. The play is remarkable for
its bright lines as we'll as its powerful stu
ations. 1t will interest more deeply, per-
haps than any play yet produced by the
Grand Stock Company, for it has all the
elements calculated to show off this excel
lent organization brilliantly. Mr.. Patton
will be seen as Merton Harley. Mr.
Gwynette as Carolus Despard, an artist, Mr.
Lamson as Gordon Key, Mr.. Conger as Liv-
ingston Remsen Mr.. Miles as George Bart
lett Miss Shannon as Eiinor Burnham, Miss
Field as the Duchess of Clayboro, Miss
Daily as Sonora Leila Caprices, Mrs. Bank
son as Mrs Munyon Pyle. Miss Bird as
Dora La Fargo and Miss Booth as Mrs
Deane the medium. The leading charac-
tiers have already been referred to- The
first and second acts take place IN Jaffrey S
apartments in New York, the third in Des-
paIds studio, where the seance is given,
and the fourth at Mrs. Pyles country house
where she is entertaining house party,
made up of the various characters or the
play The usual matineeS will be given
Wednesday and Saturday.