The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-10
ParIx-"Cxrano De Berreracy

Willard Newels "Cyrano' as presented
at the Park yesterday was not only able
to put to rout a hundred hired thugs as pro-
vided in Rostand's play, but with no little
courage he faced a cynical Park Theater
balcony and gallery packed with levee
critics and turned a threatened riot of dis
approval into a civilized audience of listen
ers, willing or unwilling. There were few
seats unoccupied at the Park matinee
when the curtain went up on this popular
priced production, and for time it looked
as If the audience had come with serious
intentions. Toward the latter part of the
act where Cyrano receives notice that
Roxane desires to meet him in the bakers
shop in the next act the gallery gods, who
had found little to their farce-comedy taste,
began to grow restless and showed evidence
of displeasure. During the second act the
trouble came. The barbarians absolutely re-
fused to take Cyrano seriously. They began
threatening chorus of coughs. Then a
murmurng undertone of brutal intent was
heard, and finally the disturbance became
pronounced that Mr.. De Bergerac had to
request Roxane to wait a bit while he made
some remarks that reflected on the literary
taste of Indianapolis aud ences. This roast
provoked the crowd. 1t looked as if there
means fun for the gallery at all times The
third act had not been on long before the
disturbance grew very determined and ugly.
There were significant "ahemS and coughs
from all parts OF the house and the bold
pirates on the upper floors made daring
marks, laughed mockingly and when Cyrano
entered for the famous balcony scene it was
plain he must settle at once which was to
give the shoW-audience or players The
play was about to be ridiculed off the stage
when Mr.. Newell ordered the scene stopped,
HryBf lit
sword impressively declared that he was
there to stay. Applause down stairs Take
him out!' came from upstairsl Cyrano
never flinched. Part of the house was with
him. He said he was giving the beautiful
play for the education of those who could
not. pay high. prices. More applause and
sword hilt nervousy. Raising his voice, he
said If those who did not have enough gray
matter in their skulls to understand the
literary merit of the play attempted further
interruption he would employ heroic means
to Subdue them.
This speech brought the proper response
from the lower part of the house, and the
applause drowned out the ambitious disturb
ers upstairs. 1t was proof that Mr.. Newelrs
performance was acceptable to the thinking
ones at least From that time the house re-
manned orderly, ana there was a curtain
call after the act, which the actor ackuowl-
edged as gracefully as ManSfiel1 hms elf.
AS a matter OF fact, the production now
at the Park is almost as good as could be
expected at the prices. The gallery was not
far wrong from its standnoint and tba
actors We're also right from their ground
The players certainly attempted to give a
serious performance, and the beauties of
"Cyrano are such that even Mr.. Newell's
production cannot entirely rob it of all
merit. Had Newell followed Ada Gray's
policy in East Lynne" he would have won
out with the gallery but his motive is evil
IDENTIFY not to profane the play There is
only feeble attempt to give proper scenic
production. This failure to help dignity the
performance is no doubt largely responsible
for the cynical portion of the audience re-
fusing to take the players seriously The
version of the play used is, of course not
the best Many little touches that might
give color, and tone, and dignity are absent
nut even with that ii is worth the price of
admission 1t is interesting as a study par
ucularly for those who saw the Mansfield
production. 1t is instructive to show the
adherence by comparison If for no other rea-
SON Mr.. Newell reads the lines distinctly
ana even with certain amount of Gascony
flavor that is initiative of the great Mans
held Some of his heavy speeches are good
enough to suggest greater possibilities His
company meftted better treatment than II
received. Had Miss Vail de Vernon's Roxane
even approached Newells Cyrano probably
mere would have been less excuse for the
Hbeftles which the audience took with the
play. An actor who reads his lines as well
as NeWeli should be taken seriously and
no little benefit will be derived from the
play by the many who will witness the per-
Iorfnances tie rest of the week Last night
the large audience took more kindly to New
ell Cyrano. There were no interruptions
and the play seemed to be enjoyed