The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-26
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NENTTCW DIR. A. E. BUCHANAN
OAAtAAOA 1913 When Building.


The long expected engagement OF Julia
Arthur in indianapolis opens tonight at
English's with Mrs. Burnett's a Lady Of
Quality which signalized Miss Arthur's
debut as a star after her return from two
years with Henry Irving. Miss Arthur's only
appearance in this city was three years ago
last month, with Sir Henry Irving, when she
played Elaine In his production of King
Arthur aud although she has been
a prominent actress for a short
time only, she dates her real sue
cess back to the production Of 'The
Black Mask" a wierd play by the late Fred
Giles, who was one OF the most promising
Indiana men to go into metropolitan news
paper work. New York critics at hat time
predicted that Miss Arthur would some day
Become a great star and she has.
One Of Miss Arthur's most finished por-
srayals is that of the Spanish girl Mercedes
in Thomas Bailey Aldrich's play of that
name and which she will present here
Thursday night in connection with 'Pygma-
lien and Galatea." Mercedes is one of
the few pieces Mr.. Aldrich has given to
dramatic literature. 1t is in one act and two
scenes. The period is 1910 and the scene is
laid in Spain. The first scene is in a forest
before the village of Arguano at night. with
"A force OF NapOleoD's men lying In ambush.
Iouvois, the young French officer in charge.
has received Imperative orders to 'discip-
line the inhabitants OF the village at day
break. This was the term used by Napoleon
to cover the word massacre whenever a
town he had conquered proved fractiOus.
1Ouvois confides to his companion, Labois-
Siere. that a year before he had been
rescued from death in that same village by
a young girl whom he had promised TO
des). but had been suddenly called away to
his post ana was not able TO communicate
with her. Laboissiere promises that he will
The second scene depicts a hut within the
village OF Arguano at daybreak. with Mer-
Inhabitants had learned OF their threatened
destruction and have left the village en-
tirely deserted except for Mercedes. her
child and her aged mother, whom She had
been unwilling 10 leave ehind Mercedes
mas poisoned the wine of the village and has
placed IL where the French will find IL.
Laboissiere enters with a detachment of his
soldiers, they carrying a skin of the wine.
suspecting that it has been poisoned. he
ouesticns Mercedes She reol;es that 80 10
good wine for Frenchmen." Laboissiere
still suspecting a trick tells her to give
some OF IL TO her child. With a great sacri-
nce OF mother love she does so. Laboissiere
then commands her 10 drink of IL herself.
She does so just as Louvois enters and dis
covers her.
The last two performances OF The Lost
Paradise will be given this afternoon and
evening at the Grand. Tomorrow night
and the rest of the week the stock company
viii appear in The Idler." closing the sea-
son Saturday night. The Iuler' gives Mr..
kirkland the best opportunity of the season.
Tor the character OF Mark Cross is. in many
respects, a most attractive one. Mr.. Hansel
also has a strong part as Sir John Harding.
The souvenir occasion OF Monday night will
be repeated Tomorrow evening when all the
women attending are TO be given g.oup pho
tographs OF the stock company.
The Empire Theater will open again next
Monday for a week with a new aggregation
of vaudeville and burlesque performers.
The company Is styled the "Boh-Ton" and
is described as an extraordinary surprise"
Mr.. Ill. Armstrong, who Will be seen In the
leading role in Miss Lucia lie Verne's com
pany. presenting George Foster Platt's
comedy. a WOman's Politics" is an Eng-
lsh actor who Is reminiscent of what
Robert II. Manten was "a decade ago. He
is like Mantell In appearance and has that
same resonant. ringing voice which made
the hero of Fedora famous. Mr.. Armstrong
was a member OF the Drury Lane TheateT
Company In London for three seasons. and
fer seven seasons was a member Of Sir
Henry irving company.