The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-03
NTNTTCT DIR. A. E. BUCHANAN
UEN1lO1 1888 When Building.
ADJUSTMENTS.

COghIan Plays in 'sThe Royal BOX"
and cidentaIIy "ROasts'' the Town.
Charles Coghlan appeared at English S
last night IN THE Royal Box" giving one
Of the most entertaining performances wit
messed this season, and topping it off with
q decided sensation in the shape of a
roast" on indianapolis for not giving him
e larger audience. Notwithstanding Mr..
Coghlan's courageous speech on the SUBJ
ject of theater patronage, the audience con-
tinued to extend its favor. Some giggled
while others blushed, but all took 1t like
sheep, and even gave him a curtain call
after the last act. No man in the house
was brave enough to stand up and offer to
pass the hat for Mr. Coghlan's benefit. 1t
was the most unique experience Indianapolis
theater-goerS have had since Mansfield s
famous roast ten years ago, and many
seemed to enjoy it. The actor had pre-
viously put every one in good humor. The
dainty dramatic opportunities. beginning
with the very first act, where, as the actor
Clarence, he had turned a clever trick
by winning a countess while her husband
and the Prince of Wales were both on the
stage were all so beautifully played by the
finished actor (for he is a finished actor, his
finish in this city being now apparenO, that
the half-filled theater was beginning to feel
chagrined at the poor attendance and peo-
pie were extending sympathy with every
heart throb.
The second act furnished another sensa-
ton, when Miss Gertrude Coghlan made her
first appearance and won the love and APP
plause of all for her most unusual charm
and gir1ish naivete and there came a curtain
call for both father and daughter. Still
more calls came after following acts, the
demonstration being prolonged after the
fourth, where the actor had closed with the
denunciation of no less one than the
Prince of Wales. Mr.. Coghlan. being in the
fault-finding mood, then turned ON the very
respectable folk who had come to witness
his play. This was the sensation of the
evening. If Mr. Coghlan's press agent had
only let ii be known quietly that the star
would '-troduce a speciality, or something CT
the popular taste for vaudeville; if there
had been the slightest hint of what was to
happen the house might have been packed
But then ii would not have occurred.
The roast must have been premedi-
tated; it was so artistic and came so flu
emily. Instead of following in the footsteps
of Roland Reed, Nat Goodwin. Sol Smith
Russell or any of the other between-the-
acts speakers. Mr.. Coghlan told no funny
story. He overlooked the fact that he stood
on stage scarcely hundred yards from
the greatest soldiers monument i'm the coufl-
try forgot all about our local pride in
beautiful streets and the two-million-dollar
Statehouse He even failed to mention the
pretty Indianapolis girls make any topi-
cal reference to our famed evee, which the
minstrel fellows never forget. Instead Mr..
Coghlan said he was much put out and dis
couTaged at such a meagre attendance. He
declared he had brought here an attraction
that would be accepted in London or Paris,
and had been accepted in New York This
was Mr.. Coghlan's opinion. He assured the
people he was giving them no careless per-
form D1aafa hut fG Ia l.tawf he
= cause he had heard Mrs. F'iske had been
better received, hut said she deserved pa
tronage for he believed she was the most
talented of the English-speaking actresses,
and argued that his reception should have
been as great. Then he ''blarneyed" those
present for their discretion and patronage.
AS he retired. all applauded. kissing the
hand that smote them, as ii were.
Mr.. Coghlan should have billed his play
1.-The Most Unkindnest Cut" His speech
alone was worth the price of admission, but
on sober second thought one wonders what
right has Mr.. CoShlan to scold Indianapolis.
Why should he hold up this literary center
to public ridicule before rival cities? Mr.
Coghlan came here from Anderson where.
II Is said, the management had TO give
blankets with every ticket. The house was
so thinly populated there were not enough
TO keep warm Mr. Coghan was in South
Bend and Evansville, and 1t is not stated
that business was suspended in those cities
because of his visit. Now all these rival
Indiana cities are to have the pleasure of
pointing the finger of shame at Indian
apOlis. where the Legislature meets where
they make United States senators and Presi-
dents. and the home of authors of national
repute; and all this humiliation comes be-
cause Mr.. Coghlan is in bad temper Per-
eonally he is known TO be one of the most
gracious gentlemen and actors, but his
memory is short. During his last visit here
there was an episode at the Bates House
The story needs no retelling. 1t furnished
food TO the papers for two years. Perhaps
that partly accounted for last nights slim
audience
Again, his beautiful play beautiful and
worthy as IL is, has been almost forgotten