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

IN 'fuQQ E1edQ WlSO0, WHICH was given
at English's Opera House last night to a
considerable audience. Edwin Mayo has a
play which may just as well become a
perennial affair as RIP Van Wrinkle" and.
without intention of overlooking Mr.. Mayo
with compliments. it may be said that he
bids fair to tangle up his own identity with
Pudd'nhead Wilson just as Mr.. Jefferson
has done with the lazy old chap of the
Catskills. Most every one remembers the
story Of Mr.. Jefferson presenting a check
at bank, and upon being asked to identify
himself as Joseph Jefferson replied, WIN
my leedles dog Schneider do?" whereupon
the check was Immediately cashed. So
were Mr.. Mayo to meet one of those who
saw him last night, it's IN even wager he
would be addressed as Mr.. Pudd'nhead VIII
son. He seems to Up Mark Twain's char
acter so naturally that he really doesn't
appear TO act the part at all. If Mr.. Mayo
did not have these natural qualifications
ne probably would find the part an exceed
ingfy difficult one to invest with interest,",
since it Is the personality and deliciousness
of the character almost entirely that at
times the dPamatic action is quite tagging
But there is a decided TO MIR.
Mayo's style, and his is just as distinctly
of Nat Goodwin or Sol smith Russell. TO
those who saw the play when presented
here for the first time the performance last
ntkll NdS q LCtClQlAOh. A1A VI III
original cast remain. it is said, but the
humor and atmosphere of Twain's book are
80 much better brought out than at this
initial performance in Indianapolis. The
company IS an excellent one, not a weak
member In IL, and so well did they WORK
that it would be difficult TO allot the honors
of the evening. The cast Is worthy or pub
lication IL full. IL was:
David Wilson (Prdd'nheaD Edwin Mayo
YORK priscoii, county jud %sni .Edw sGnH NaIoe
Tom DriSCOll frank Cdmped
Howard Pembroke. iawyer-.Colin Campbell
Luigi Cappello, Angelo Cappello. wins,
Blake, county sheriff. William X. Mickey
Swan .MIiiam ;. Gin
campbell vivian arthur
Deacon Jasper. Ephraim, slaves.
-~----.-~-~...c; Chaeffer A. Huse
Patsy Mason, P~udd'nhead's widowed sis
Belle Stoddaro
Rowey. ...:---.~..Frances Grahame Mayo
Hannah, -florlda PleI
Mr.. Mayo is the worthy son of a dis
~tinguished sire in the dramatic line, and this
legacy of "Pudd' nhead wilson from his
father Is being well improved 1t might be
unpleasant TO the son 70 say that his idea
Of the role Is an Improvement on that of his
father. but candid comment exacted this re-
mark from several who had seen potn men
Twain spirit and has the happy, easy way
OF putting a droll remark or witticism. with
unctuous phiiosophy Of SPudd'nhead" seems
always fresh. as Mr.. Mayo reveals il, de-
spite the lberality of the press agent, who
has spread many of the best sayings abroad
on the billboards OF the city, until they are
quite familiar TO even those people who did
not read the book. The sayings follow the
situations SO logically that the public will
continue to be surprised and continue 10
laugh after seeing the play over and over
again. The audience fell quite in love with
"Puddnhead" and applauded him frequently
and heartily
Miss Adelaide Aliens Roxy was an I'm
petuous creature and she well depicted the
savagery in the breast OF a woman who,
goaded by the injustice done her on account
OF color. seeks to lift her offspring above
capable actress, and while this character Is
one easily overdone. Miss Allen was con-
scientious and artistic 1t is seldom such
a good and real villain (f the ella ssification
Will stand) as Frank Campeau appears. He
had the role OF Tom Driscoll, the rascally
nephew. who Is palmed of as the white child
In the prologue There was not a superfiu-
Gus gesture or facial expression, and at the
2 close OF the second act he and Miss Mayo
the drop OF the curtain, for their stirring bit
OF acting. To speak In detail OF the work
OF each member of the company is only 10
add to the general praise. Edwin Ndlod Is a
finished actor, and Mr.. McKey's county
sherfn was Irresistible. They all At their
parts Inc dialect was good, which is say
Ing a vast deal, Tor In nearly every play with
the actors is harsh on the ears of one ac-
customed 10 hear Southrons speak among
themselves. Missouri. in Inc days OF
"Pudd nhedd Wilson," was really Southern.
The play Will be repeated Tonight. when
the engagement closes.