The Indianapolis journal., 1899-01-17
DENTTCT DR.. A. E. BUCHANAN
OANAANA S2.33 When Building.
ADJUSTMENTS.
Grnnd-.sFriends.v

The Grand Stock Company opened last
night with one of its best productions thus
far of the season, the play being Edwin
Milton Royles comedy drama Friends
This is certainly one of the most unstilted
and life-like plays that has been turned out
by native dramatist. Untn a few seasons
back. when Mr.. Royle laid his play on the
shelf 1t was one of the best entertainments
that visited this city and was always sure
of packed houses. Its mixture of comedy
and pathos was artistic in the extreme and
its absence of old dramatic subterfuges and
stereotyped stage tricks gave Friends" an
atmosphere of originality that was refresh
ing Theater-goers are familiar with the
beautiful story of the play and have gener-
ally well-formed ideals regarding the char
acters and the stock company people last
night made praisewOrthy effort to meet
those ideals. The warmth with which the
production was received by one of the best
first night audiences in a long time left
little doubt of its success. 1t was one of the
best first-night productions at the Grand
this season and one may safely predict a
big week for it,
Howard Hansel, the new leading man,
madezhis first appearance with the COM
pany and received enthusiastic Endorsement.
The fine heroics in the character of Jack
Paden are not of the boisterous sort, but
require rather delicate shading and an
easy comedy method. With his hurried prep
aration and the natural nervousness of a
first performance before a strange audience
taken INTO consideration, Mr.. HanSel made
a distinctly favorable impression, in fact,
one of the best in the company. His voice
may not have the necessary sympathetic
ring at all times, but that was largely the
result of the nervous strain under which he
was playing 1t may be taken that Mr..
Hansel Will grow into one of the popular
favorites of the company.
Mr.. Sheldon continued his good character
work in the part of Hans Otto, the father
of Marguerite, giving the famous scene
leading up to the death of the besotted
opium and drink fiend with fine discretion
Mr.. Sheldon wisely refrained from the ex-
travagant realism afforded in the scene and
made the old mans death appealing and
pathetic rather than abhorrent and disgust
ing. Miss Shannon was gentle teEder and
dignifed as Marguerite and her limitations
in the vocal requirements of the role were
not particularly noticeable. Mr. Patton has
one of his best opportunities as Jacks
musical friend, Adrien Karje, and while he
Is unable to give the piano recital that a
real musician can introduce in the play the
counterfeit was artistically and effectively
managed, so much so in fact, that he Is
likely to receive society attention on account
of his supposed artistic talent Hardee
Kirkland maintained his popularity, receiv-
ing a welcome hand when he appeared as
the villain, Harold Hunting. Mr.. Bradford
as John Paden gives a popular-price imper-
sonation and received frequent applause
Miss Daily was artistic as usual
Friends is brilliantly staged, the play
having the best settings ii ever had here
There will be the usual Wednesday and Sat
urday matinees.