The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
PLAY BILLS THIS WEEK
FANNY DAVENPORT IN "CLEOPATRA'
AND ~LA TosCA, AT ENGLIsH's.
Fanny Rice at the Grand Tuesday
and Hnrrigan mt English's satur-
day-ParIx and Empire.

Actor-managers, while frequently met in
both England and France, are compare
lively rare in this country. ard one who
has been successful in both branches Of the
profession is still more uncommon. There
are very few who can combine the COM
mercial and the artistic sides of tbs drama
without having. one conflict with the other,
and for this reason, perhaps. actor-man-
ayers have not fiourished here. Fanny Dav-
export has the distinction of being actress
manager and a thoroughly successful one,
not the first in the history Of the American
stage, for the names of Mrs. John Wood
and Laura Keene are still remembered, but
neither of the above named ever achieved
the reputation of a magnificent producer,
as well as being acknowledged a talented
actress, that Miss Davenport enjoys. On the
English stage there are Henry Irving, II.
Beerbohm Tree and George Alexander, but
each of these has become well known
through excellence in some principal line of
the drama Mr.. Irving is famous for the
thoroughness of his productions, as we'll as
for their magnitude, Mr.. Tree for some re-
markable character representation, and
George Alexander for the reason that he
has been able to hold a London theater
without becoming bankrupt Neither of
these gentlemen has proved succe ssful in
all branches, sacrificing some feature that
others may shine Respondent. But this is
not the case with Fanny Davenport. She is
highly spoken of as an actress, and to-day
heads the list of feminine histrions of this
side of the water. Her productions are the
envy Of other managers, and what is, per-
haps. more remarkable. she has achieved
material reward for her labors. 1t was her
judgment and foresight which introduced
Fedora" la Tosca,'' Cleopatra" "Gis-
monda" and other Sardou dramas to the
American stage, and in a manner far
eclipsing anything ever attempted abroad
1t is claimed. the arrangement of scenic
details, costuming and musical effects with
which the last three named plays abound,
were solely from the suggestions of Miss
Davenport and were her ideas. This has
been the result of a life devoted to the
stage and it's surroundings, and as Miss
Davenport is a keen observer of everything
transpring around her. nothing which
would add to the beauty of a production es-
capes her. Miss Davenport, supported by
her company, headed by Melbourne
Mcdowell, will be seen at English's for
three nights, beginning Monday evening
On Monday and Tuesday evenings will be
presented Cleopatra and Wednesday
La Tosca."
Edward Harrigan, in his famous play,
''Old Lavender will be at English's for a,
matinee and night performance next Satur-
day Mr.. Harrigan regards "Old Lavender
as his best part. and he is without doubt
right His portrayal of the .drunkard is
droll to the verge of grotesqueness, but is
also pathetic and forcble He has played
the role over one thousand nights and is as
much identified with "Old Lavender as
Denman Thompson is with the ''Old Home
stead When Harrigan became a dramatist,
he entered field which had hitherto been
uncultivated. He has occupied this field for
years. He was many years in advance of
the so-called realistic school of play
wrights. wonderfully close observer he
early recognized the dramatic value of GER
tain phases of life in quarter of the me-
tropolis that had previously been rarely
represented on the stage. He turned them to
account in his first work and his opinion
directly had the Endorsement of thousands.
A student of character, the personages of
his plays are drawn with the fidelity of a
Dickens. One of the cleverest of stage man
ayers, his productions are perfect in every
detail of business" An actor of remark
characters with inimitable skill Mr.. Harri-
gans first dramatic work was "Old LaVen-
der" and it is his masterpiece. The story
is simply told and lifelike in the extreme.
falsely accused of a. crime, and his gradual
decline from d position of trust and honor
10 one of the city'S odd characters along the
river front. The play also abOunds with
humorous situations, witty sayings and with
the always tuneful music and songs of Dave