The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14

Phroso." a play dramatized from the
celebrated novel by Anthony Hope, and
presented under the direction Of Charles
Frohman, Is the notable Offering at En-
glish's for the first three days Of the pres
ent week, beginning tomorrow night
The engagement also includes a Wednes-
day matinee. When ''Phroso" made its ap-
pearance in a magazine, it's welcome was
instantaneous and cordial Charles Froh-
man saw at once that here was the basis
Tor another popular play. and he knew Of a
feminine star that was admirably fitted to
NIL the principal role. The result was the
play "Phroso." staged upon more than the
ordinary scale Of magniheence, with Miss
Odette Tyler I'm the title role, a character
which she portrays so wildly as to make
one doubt whether it was not indeed Gre
ated especially for her.
The story Of the play is one Of enthrall-
ing interest. 1t begins in the hall of the
old castle Of Neapolia, at the time when
the angry peasantry, urged on by the self
ish Constantine, are protesting vigorously
against the sale of the island to Lord
Wheatley. Stefanoupoulos. the aged ruler.
appears in an effort TO pacify his subjects,
telling them that the sale was made only
10 preserve the honor of his house. He
near to succeeding. but is ruthlessly slair
by Constantine, because ne reveals the fact
that the latter has a wife hidden away
and cannot, therefore, marry Phroso, as
the islanders had expected. At this excit-
Ing period. Lord Wheatley, the new pro
prietor of the island, arrives with his
friends, among whom is his fancee, Bea-
trice Hipgrave. Miss Hipgrave is eithei
stampeded by the pospect of trouble 70.
her lover, or smitten by the charms of one
Hamlyn, and breaks with Wheatley and
sails away on a yachting cruise. The En-
giish nobleman, however soon finds balm
for his wounded heart. for in an exciting
skirmish with the islanders. a boyish look
ing combatant is captured. who turns out
to be Phroso in male attire. Wheatley
loses little time in falling desperately IL
love with the fair native of Neapolia. He
has too many other affairs engaging hi;
attention, however, to press his suit very
vigorously. The inhabitants of the island,
spurred on by the willy Constantine. make
things pretty warm for the English lord
until he is rescued by the Turkish governor.
Mouraki Pasha. But, in emerging from
one difficulty, they find themselves involved
In another. Mourak1 declares MS INTENTION
to marry Phroso himself. Constantine has
been imprisoned by the Turk on account
of the murder of his uncle. Desiring to
get Wheatley out of his path and, fear
ing to do the deed himself, Mourad Pasha
releases Constantine on promise 10 accom-
plish his rivals disappearance. Wheatley
could escape readily enough, but his love
for Phroso detains him. AT this point,
which Is one of intese dramatic power, the
real action of the piece begins. In a brief
summary 1t is impossible to give even a
vague outline of the stirring events which
follow eacn other with startling rapid
ity Situations of thrilling interest are
developed and heart sympathy is aroused
to a high pitch The dramatists cleverly
solve the knotty problems in decidedly
original manner and before the final fall
of the curtain Phroso and the English
lord supply additional proof about the
roughness of the road travelled by true
love, and also demonstrate clearly that,
In the end, the mighty passion is gnerally
victorious.
"Phroso'' will be presented at English's
in exactly the same sumptuous style that
marked it's long run at the Lyceum Thea
ter, New York, and the company is of
the kind that really supports instead OF
furnishing contrasts for a star.