The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-28
AMUSEMENTS.
~Grand-s.The IdIer."

1t was fitting that the last play of the
season by the Grand stock company should
be one in which the member of the COM
pany with pronounced artistic method
should have a dominating character. M.
Kirkland easily holds the honors as Mark
Cross IN 1.-THE Idler,' which was witnessed
last night by another large audience. With
out comparing Mr.. kirkland with other
members of the company. it must be said
that he has made a strong impression In
Indianapolis as an artist. His characters
are nearly always well thought out. and his
work appeals TO the intellect OF his observ-
ers. In "The Idler" Mark Cross is really
the leading role. anyway, and is one of the
few natural villain" parts that has been
seen during the season. 1t is at one and the
same time a very human role; that is. a
role in which the impulses of a normal man
are carefully and accurately portrayed. 1t is
a psychological study. There is much be-
tween the lines. 1t is the most natural
part Mr.. Kirkland has essayed, and he pre-
sented II as interestingly as he did during
the week of Nov. ., when The Idler'' was
first produced by the stock company. There
IS "A fine distinction between naturalness
and the commonplace In art. Mr.. Kirkland
keeps his lines on the natural side, always
giving his portrayal the exact tone. Mr..
Hansel has another difficult role as John
Harding, and ne gets every bit of good
there is in il. He could be better. but not
much better. He rises well to the strong
scenes and presents the role in a way that
wins approval. Mr.. Patton has a fat"
part as Simeon Strong. and. in fact, he has
been favored with fat" roles all season.
and he has done remarkably well for his
he played in the previous production. and il
Is a pleasure to note that he shows improve
Miss Shannon dominates the female side
of the play as Lady Harding. She has a
most womanly role, ana plays il with the
same uniform tone that has marked her
work during the season and made more
calls for her photograph than any other
member OF the company. Miss Berg is as
dainty as a Dresden doll I'm the first act as
Miss Merryweather and does some of her
most pleasing work of the season during
Miss Bridges as Miss Cross help greatly 10
emily en- the play. as does also Mr.. Sheldon
as General M~erryweather The Idler" will
continue the rest of the week and close
the season at the Grand.
EngIish's-Miss Double BiIl.
In "Pygmalion and Galatea" at English's
last night Miss Arthur gave an exhibition
of all that is refined and delicate and in
tellectual in the gentle art of acting. Her
portrayal OF the NEUROLOGICAL Galatea was
ons which those who saw her Will remember
and cherish until her next appearance in In
dianapolis. While her Clorinda Wildairs
was a warm-spirited and absorbing por-
trayal that sent away the large Wednesday
night audience singing her praise, 1t was
really careless compared with the perfec-
ton OF art which absolutely fascinated the
meager audience last night. Only a handful
OF admirers turned out to witness the
double bill offered last evening. but this was
really no surprise 10 those who have
watched the tickle IL NOR of indianapolis
audiences. IL was not because theater goers