The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-09
ADJUSTMENTS.
..The Sign of the Cross,

Wilson Barrett's four-act drama, THE
Sign OF the Cross" was presented to an
appreciative audience at Englishs last
night.
The play is well known, having been here
twice before. 1t tells the story of the perse-
cution and the suffering of the Christians
under the boodthirsty rule OF Nero. BY way
Of juxtaposition 1t shows the life of the
enervated, oversatiated, giutted Roman and
that of their prosecuted victims, the humble
but high-spirited Christians. Intermingled
in these historic facts Is a story of love of
the Roman project for pure, beautiful
Christian girl. whom he cannot save be-
cause she would not renounce her faith,
and with whom, rather than give her up,
he enters the arena.
The play has made pronounced hit from
London to the Golden Horn. People have
theater under ordinary circumstances, not
even when better plays are given. THE Sign
Of the Cross was written by man VINO
IL has score OF beautiful scenes IN which
high and pure thoughts lind expression in
a truly artistic way, but 1t also has severe
defects. triviality and in one instance direct
vulgarity. The torturing OF the boy
Stephanus In an adjoining room, whence
an artistic sin that cannot be denounced
too severely. Such thing should have been
and nigh Ideals e sardou in his - play ma
Tosca" has made precisely the same mis-
take In the scene where Marion is tortured
while La Tosca is compelled to listen to his
cries and meanings. Such scenes overstep
the line OF the dramatically admissible.
In other respects the play dessrves wide,
scenery and the exquisite costumes. Both
got up with much skill and care and
added much to the success of the work.
Mr.. Dalton. as Marcus Superbus. project
fiis manly Stately bearing and his digniiied
manner of speech. He carried his part well.
especially well In the scene between himself
and Nero. where he vainly pleads for the
life Of the prosecuted girl. Mr.. Dalton has
minded, trus and noble character Miss
Lille Thurlow. as Mercia, gave a beautiful
and convincing picture OF pure: sweet
spirit and brought out the fine points of
her part admirably. Another very success
full artist was Miss Gertrude Boswell, as
important and Miss Boswell. whose voice
has a peculiar low and sympathetic tone.
work Is when she steps out into the arena,
but breaks down al the aspect OF the fero-
oicus beasts. A shudder crept over the audi
Giabrio (Mr Henry N wenman) and Phil
cdemus (Mr. Edgar c. wins,horpe) are two
well ard indulge in the customary frivoli-
ties as much IA their somewhat debilitated
pays9Hsss n Asde TO ito fas nse Of
cal CONCENTRATIONS. Both parts were taken
we'll.
The part of Nero is not well conceived
and consequently lacked possibility In exc
cution. The portrayal of Nero's blood
thirsty and cowardly character was not
well done Berenice. by Miss Agnes Scott,
and Dacia. by Miss Winnie Cassell. the
two patrician women, gave picture of Cos
sip IN Roman times, which. IL true, proves
how little humanity has changed. Another
instance seems 10 verify this belief for
when in the last act. ten people rush TO the
amphitheater TO see the Christian victims
butchered or burned as torches such action
bears close resemblance to the people
watching with delight the incineration OF
Johannes Huss, the burning OF the witches
in bygone DAYS or the burning at the stake
of black man in our days a scene of I'M
SURPRISING beauty comes I'm the last act
when Mercia encourages poor Stephanus
and later when Marcus Superbus declares
his intention 10 become a Christian and to
share the fate OF the girl he loved more
than his own life.