The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-02
ubanOld
ADJUSTMENTS.


Without greatly exaggerating, IL may be
said that all society visited English's
Opera House last night to give a fitting
reception to Sir Henry Irving and Miss
Terry. There have been a few larger audi
ences IN that theater in the past, but GER
tainly none more representative of the
wealth, and beauty and culture Of the
Hoosier State. as well as OF its capital city.
Theater parties from many of the sur
rounding and more remote towns were in
evidence. Among those of the audience
that attracted especial attention were
several OF the judges of Indiana's higher
courts. prominent railroad men and attor-
neys Hon. James F.. Statesman headed a
delegation from Peru. Included in a select
Anderson group was Miss Terhune who is
shortly to be married to Mr.. Fred G. Dick
son, manager of the Park Theater. The
predominance of evening gowns among the
ladies and Of full dress among the men
gave a decidedly picturesque appearance
to the audience. Those who occupied seats
In the front of the theater. near the stage,
experienced considerable discomfort from
the low temperature which prevailed dur
ing the periods when the curtain up.
Manager Miller ana Captain English ex-
planned this by saying that Sir Henry Irv-
ing ordered all heat turned off upon the
stage, for the reason that Miss Terry can
talk better and more freely in air that is
not artificially warmed. If a heated at
mosphere would have increased the huski-
ness perceptible in her voice no one present
last night could have had the heart to
countermand the order.
One who observed the evidently thorough
manner In which last nights audience en-
toyed the production of The Merchant of
Venice" given by Mr. Irving. Mss Terry
and the London Lyceum Company. could
scarcely repress the desire that there might
be more such reviyals. Theatrical man.
ayers are cnary of reviving Shakspeare's
plays. because they say the people do not
want them The claim is sometimes heard
that the public has grown beyond the Bard
OF Avon MIR. irving has accomplished
nothing IL he has not demonstrated the fall
want Shakespeare only because IL cannot
have him presented adequately. Although
Venice" some four or five times. both play
and players We're received with all the
warmtn accorded a delightful novelty. To
all intents and purposes, Sir Henry was
freely forgiven the slap he administered
TO Indianapolis theater patrons in refusing
TO grant their dearest wish-'Robespierre.
II should have caused the eminent actors
brow TO flush with shame to receive hearty
plaudits where he mign,, with reason, have
expected more, chilling greeting. The
probabilities are, however. that he is con-
graduating himself upon the abundant
complacency of his Hoosier friends.
An impersonation like that OF Shylock,
which has been seen and reviewed so often,
needs little either OF praise or criticism at
this late day. The writer who said that
Mr.. Irving portrays, not merely a Jew, but
the Jew, has summed UP in a very few
his marvellous piece OF character acting.
IL Is doubtful IL any other living actor
could make n character so repulsive and at
the same time give II such an fndefinable,
yet resistless power of attraction. When
Shylock leaves the courtroom cropping and
staggering like a drunken man, crazed at
thought OF his overwhelming defeat and
loss. upon his face is portrayed all the
misery that a human being can endure and
i've. When the audience recovered from
the spell cast upon II by the actors power
AZ at once set about TO testify its appre-
citation in bursts OF applause that were
only intensified by successive appearances
OF the company. of Irving and Terry hand
in hand and OF Irving himself. A curtain
speech was what was wanted and. thoueA
Mr.. Irving tried as best he could to avoid
the inevitable and still be gracious. he fin
part, as follows:
1T is quite impossible for me TO thank
you or talk adequately for such a welcome
as you have given US tonight. especially
in this sort or garb or character OF Shy
lock. always find In IL the greatest diff
Guilty to express at all my gratitude for the
welcome / may at times receive. THANK you
from very full heart. Sixteen years ago
you gave US a welcome which you have
repeated many times since-the most cor
dial welcome that actors could receive I
assure you IL would be impossible for me
20 express my appreciation or the favor
you have always shown us. IL Is an infinite
pleasure to me and Miss Terry TO be in
your city once again. and l hope We may
have the privilege Of meeting you once
again. I thank you for one and all OF us
very gratefully i hope that you will re-
member Us as we shall ever remember YOU.
and hope that you will always remember
US as your grateful and respectful and low
ing servants. and thank you"
Miss Terry's Portia was given a recep-
ton only second 20 that accorded Mr..
Irving's Shylock- III the truth must be
spoken. however. II must be said that her
work was far from being as satisfying
az that OF her associate. The fact Is Miss
Terry furnishes sos-owful proof that an
actress should not attempt TO portray a
yourg character for long a time as
twenty-five years. Do what she will, she
cannot forever retain her youth. BY this
IL IL not meant TO convey the idea that