The Indianapolis journal., 1899-10-10
"Trelawny of the Wells,

An event Of the theatrical season i'm this
city will undoubtedly be the engagement OF
Daniel Frohmans Lyceum Theater stock
company, which opens at English's for
matinee and evening on Saturday, Oct. IA,
presenting Arthur W. Pinero's ''Trelawny
Of the Wells" The play has been equally
successful in London and at the Lyceun
Theater, New York, at which latter thea
ter 1t ran nearly the entire season. The
period OF ''Trelawny'' is that of the hoop
skirt and the peg-top trousers, in the early
sixties, and the scene of it Is laid partly in
the neighborhood of Islington and partly In
mansion IN Cavendish square. There are
tWofgrouPS or characters, being com.
posed OF the members of the stage and the
other OF the family Of a wealthy knight
To set the shiftless half-comical haIr-
pathetic life of the poor actor against tha,
or the rich, respectable and superlatiyely
decorous judge and his relatives-promis-
Ing a betrothal OF the judges grandson TO
sprlgntly, but mpecuLuious, actress-and
from this contrast to deduce scenes of mirth
and moments OF pathos, was Mr.. Pinero's
scheme. and he has accomplished 1t with a
rare and delightful skill. IL the first act
the audience Is introduced to the lodgings
or MT and Mrs. Teller; In their commo-
given TO Rose Trelawny, of the Wells"
The Wells" stands for an old theater-
Bagnigge Wells-in old Islington. Here are
gathered the members of tie company. RosI
is betrothed to young Lord Cover, grand
son to the crusty old vice chancellor who
Is opposed to his grandson's attentions 10
the pretty actress. Young Cover assures
him he really means to marry the girl, and
II is decided TO have her at Cavendish
square and see IL she is possible as a
member Of the family. Rose is not only
loved by young Cover, but also by Tom
Wrench. an humble member OF the COM
pany, who only plays small parts, but
finally becomes a popular author. Speeches
are made, and amidst hearty and exciting
farewells the act closes.
The second act shows Roses brief exist
ence with the GowerS-itS humdrum duh
routine after her brilliant life in Bohemia.
the arbitrary rules, the after-dinner mans
the formal rounds of regulation whist etc
Sne Is not allowed TO see her sweetheart
except formally. She obtains stolen inter-
views with him. however. u 'Romev
and Juliet, which add to the chancellor's
Ire when discovered. Her companions from,
the Wells" anxious as to ''how she is
getting on visit her late at night ana
by colluslon with the butler Rose brings
them into the drawing room They make
merry and during a scene OF wild excite
ment the old folks awakened by their noise.
burst in upon them, amazed. The ''gypsies''
are ordered from the house. but Rose defy-
ing the vice chancellor. leaves with them.
breaking off her engagement with young
Cover. In the meantime Tom Wrench in
dicates his purpose to help the young low
ers. In the next act Rose Is again with her
She is dismissed from the Wells as no
longer capable. of acting the silly parts
she has outgrown. and now Tom Wrench
takes hand in her affairs. He has written
leading lady of the Olympic is helping him
to find hacker. He is found but at the
critical moment dies OF the gout. A visit
OF the old vice chancellor ensues. He over.
hears their plans. and how the reconcilia-
ton takes place is shown in the concluding
eDiSOdeS.