The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-05
PLAY BILLS THIS WEEK
SWAY DOWN EAST. AND "a DAY AND
NIGHT AT ENGLIsH's.
''DipIomacy'' by Grand stock Com
pany--..Air ship" and .sCyrnno. at
the ParIS-Empire's Bill.

Way Down East, which appears at En-
glish's the first three days of this week,
comes as we'll recommended as any play
that has been along this way in some time.
The class of patronage given this story Of
rural New England life during it's long stay
IN New York last season is in itself prob
ably the best evidence that Lottie Blaire
Parker has written a piece worth mention
among the notable amusement efforts. The
scenic effects arranged for the different
acts gives fair idea Of the nature Of the
play. All are described as highly pictlr-
esque and natural. The first act shows a
New England farm with its familiar sur
roundings The house and barnyard are
shown with the old-fashioned well and the
old oaken bucket The second act is in the
''settin' room of the farmhouse with d
jolly party present ready for sleigh ride
Some are popping corn, others drinking
cider and others preparing for a sleigh ride
The third act introduces the kitchen of the
same home where the daily meal is eaten.
A driving snowstorm, said to be the most
realistic effect of it's kind on the stage, takes
place during this act. The fourth act shows
a maple sugar shed in a deep New Hamp-
shire forest In these surroundings the
homely and rural scenes, both comical
and pathetic, take place.
The story of Way Down East is sim
plicity itself. A young woman has been
betrayed by means of a mock marriage
and finds a home with an honest New
Hampshire farmer. Her child is dead and
Sc are all her hopes in life; nevertheless,
she wins at once the love of the famer's
only son. The young farmer is engaged
to his cousin, who is his fathers pet. They
do not care for each other, and the unhap-
by waif seems at last to win happiness until
some village gossip blasts her hopes by re-
vealing her past The cid farmer drives her
from his home. but before she goes she finds
chance to denounce the author of her
wrongs who is visitor at the house that
night, suing for the love of the farmers pet
niece. The son goes in search of her and
finds her as she is about to succumb to the
winters cold in a snowfield by the waysde
When the cid farmer learns that she has
told the truth he sets out with the entire
family to find her and all ends happily.
There is an excellent company to interpret
the unique characters in the play including
Phoebe Davies, Odell Williams. Forrest
Robinson, George Backus, Felix Haney,
Walter Hodges, Sara Stevens, Ella Hugh
Wood and Louise Galloway, in addition to a
sweet singing quartet under the direction Of
Edwin w. Hoff, so long the tenor with the
Bostonians.
curiosity on the part of theater- goers than
the announcement OF new play by Charles
Hoyt. "A Day and Night" which makes
its first appearance here next Thursday
night for a stay of three days at English's
has been heard from at a distance, and the
public ever alert to have something bright
and clever from Hoyt's pen. has been quick
to note the reception the new farce writ
fen ri hoe in, o+ba
cities. It is spoken of as the best piece
Hoyt has written since "A Black Sheep -
which was made famous by Harlan as Hot
Stuff and big BilP' Devere as the Arizona
Editor. Both men are supplied with roles
that mt them in A Day and a Night" In
addition to the comedy element the new
play Is said to be filled with songs and
music enough in places to suggest comic
opera. Harlan has songs never before heard
here. and Clarisse Agnew, the soubrette of
"A M1lk-Whlte Rag" is also the pro-
gramme Tor some new ballads. "A Day
and Night is said to be written in Hovt' 5
OF brilliant humorous hits. There will be the
usual number Of pretty girls all of whom
can sing and dance and display fetching
costumes. Harlan's character is that of a
church-going youth named Marble Heart,
who later on relaXes, as he must with Har-
Ian in the role, and takes an active part in
furnishing the entertainment. The story
tells of an old naval officer, who, returning
from long cruise, finds his son grown to
be man, devoted to sewing circles and
church fairs. The young man goes to New
York to select singers for a church choir,
end the father goes along, intending to show
his son a little of the town. The father
fails in with q theatrical manager, who
says that he will introduce the son at a
private dinner party to a number of chorus
girls, passing them off as church concert
singers, and the father is to keep in hiding
TO witness the fun. When all are gathered
an eX-leading lady of the theater discovers
that the good young man Is her fiance.
When the fun is at its height the minister
and the mother of the young man put in
an appearance and there is an interesting
scene. The father energies from his hiding
place and denounces the mother for bringing
up her son so rigidly. The eX-leading lady
reveals her identity to her lover and all is
forgiven. The cast is as follows: William
l)evere, Celia Clay Otis Harlan, Ed Wonn,
Lloyd Wilson Charles Zimmerman, Ed Gar
vie, Robert Cowan, Jules Jordan, Clarisse
Agnew, Hattie Wells, Alma Kramer Hat
tie Williams. Cecile Sands Sidney Mans
aala Lab De Grnnt Larr.1- DnnnaLar nd