The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-28

pan He was married to Miss Asia Booth
in 1859. He made a hit starring in comedy
went to London, where his success was re-
peated. He bought the Strand Theater, and
when he died he was the owner of several
provincial theaters and the Chestnut-street
in Philadelphia besides. His fortune is esti-
mated at s.. 900. 0C0. His two children. Mil
ford and Creston, have appeared In tragedy.
The matinee of "The Nominee at the
Grand yesterday found the theater crowded
with ladies, and the performance went with
exceptional brightness. The piece will re-
main the bill all week at the Grand. with
another matinee Saturday. The interest In
next weeks bill. East Lynne is already
substantially evidenced by the large sale of
seats.
Robert Downing. who gained fame por-
traying the tragic moods and doings of
gladiators and Romans, has made a hit in
Washington in his new pastoral drama IAN
Indiana Romance" written by ]. c. Nugent.
The New York Telegraph says Of the new
a radical departure in stage i-mpersonation
In this play: He appears as a rugged, honest
some of the best work Of his career. The
locality Of the comedy is amidst the homely
homespun types or southern Indiana at the
present time. The new work was strongly
received, and the acting of Mr.. Downing
and that of his capable supporting company
WOil applause duQ CuTldlu Calls.
The failure of the operate version of
"Cyrano de Bergerac," with Francis Will
son in the title role. Is said to have revealed
a trick played by Harry B. Smith, the ia
nous librettist, to guard his reputation.
Mr.. Smith and Victor Herbert, the COM
poser. We're engaged by Mr.. Wilson to pre-
pare "Cyrano' for the comic opera stage
After the subject of the play had been dis
cussed Mr.. Smith said he was so busy he
could do no more than write the lyrics, but
he would have a friend of his, Stuart Reid
by name, write the libretto and would stand
good for its excellence. Mr.. Wilson agreed
The opera was a failure and Mr.. Wilson
es,hhgaged !? Tb Gne svser G9oa Messr TO FswFi5e a ,nd
Herbert, but Mr.. Wilson. told Mr.. Smith
that the lyrics were excellent, and that as
Mr.. Reid had written the nbretto ne was
ance. Mr.. Reid did not show up, and it is
now understood that Mr.. Smith adopted the
fuI about "Cyrano' from the start.
c. H. Ritter, scenic artist at the Grand
is always glad when he has an opportunity
TO work on an exterior scene. Most OF his
work during the season is on interiors, and
last season at the Grand he painted not less
than sixty different styles of such scenes
Not only does Mr.. Ritter paint these scenes
but he also plans them: For instance, In
tIC oCCOltQ aCt Vi IA &>OAitLlCC Ills NtCh
he has produced a drawing room scene
which Is broken into odd corners just az
such a room is naturally planned by al
architect in a real house. Mr.. Ritter has
always believed in getting away from the
conventional square room so commonly
seen at theaters, in which about all that i:
necessary is a few flats. and a ceiling piece
The second act of THE Nominee is q
forcible example of Mr.. Ritter's idea of re.
producing a drawing room. The exterior
of the scene of the first ard third acts, with
Its yine-covered veranda and backing show
ing the Palisades of the Hudson. gave the
Grand's scenic artist one of the coveted op,
p~ortunities for getting away from the par.
lor and drawing room order of things. II
is difficult to tell In which Mr.. Ritter excels
his exteriors or interiors. 1t is not general,
known that Mr.. Ritter designed and painted
all the scenery for Arizona" which ha:
been running so long In Chicago. He made
the models of the scenery last spring befor,
the stock company's season closed and sen
the curtain rang down on the stock com
pany's last night.