The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-06
ADJUSTMENTS.
william II. Crane I'm ga Rich Mans
SON. at English's.

William H Crane one of Americas fore
most delineators OF refined comedy charac-
ter, presented his new play. "A Rich Mans
Son." for the first time in Indianapolis
last night at English's Opera House to
fair sized and thoroughly appreciative
audience. Mr.. Crane is an old favorite
with indianapolis theatergoers, a fact
amply attested by the number of people
who faced an exceedingly disagreeable
downpour of rain to welcome his return.
There is tolerable sprinkling of bright
lines through the play, but the first two
acts are a trifie tedious. because of the
hackneyed nature of the subjects with
which they deal. The last act is better.
rising 10 the level of what the rest of the
comedy should be. but one act rarely saves
a play. 1t is indeed pleasing to know
that Mr.. Crane proposes TO treat his
indianapolis friends to a revival OF "a
Virginia Courtship," production Of whose
excellence there is no room for doubt.
Although "A Rich Mans Son" is de-
fcent in many respects, Crane is an actor
of the kind that cannot be buried In an
unsuitable role. He Is bound TO score a
personal triumph, no matter how bad a
exception.
The company interpreting "A Rich Mans
Son. is of the high order. With four such
beautiful and clever women as Pecy
Haswell. Selene Johnson, Sandol Milliken
andl Evelyn Carter in the cast, a play
would have 10 be poor indeed to meet with
total failure. AS May Dibdin, the rich
mans daughter, Miss Haswell pictures one
OF those lovable but rare young women
whom wealth cannot spoil nor poverty
sour. Selene Johnson as Florence Wilton.
portrayed a different but equally pleasing
kind of rich girl. Evelyn Carter made a
splendid Mrs. Wilmerding. the type of
woman who finds her chief delight in DOM
ineering over weak husband. The only
objection that could possibly be urged
against Miss Milliken's portrayal of Reck-
less Griggs. the kind-hearteG girl of the
streets, is that she is entirely too pretty
for the part. Young women who possess
Miss Millikan's extraordinary beauty are
scarce in tenement house attics. The men
of the company are all capable actors, with
the possible exception OF William Sampson,
concerning whose work in the role OF
Herbert Hatchwell Cling there is oppor-
tunity for argument. William Courtleigh
made a capital Arthur Dibdin, the ricI,
mans son, but showed an inexplicable
lack OF memory. 1t would seem that he
ought to be letter perfect In his lines al
this time in the season As the elder Mr.
Wilmerding Charles Jackson has but one
really great opportunity. and rises to II
admirably. The scene in the last act in
which he suddenly determines to throw OF
the unbearable yoke OF wifely tyranny is
one OF the saving features OF the play
William Ingersol as Putnam Wilmerding
and George +. De We're as Mr. Lowry
measured up TO the requirements of their
parts. A small, but very neat bit of
character acting, was furnished by W.
Dupont who impersonated Thomas. the
butler.
"a Rich Mans Son" is staged in an
unusually effective manner.
Mr. Crane was given a most fnsistent
curtain call at the end Of the SECOND act
TO which he responded with a quietly
humorous speech