The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-20
ADJUSTMENTS.
Lewis Morrison I'm "Frederick thu
Greato at English's.

Up to last night. perhaps. there was an
would not be acceptable in any character
than that of Mephisto in his production of
Faust" with which the people of Indian
apolis naturally became thoroughly famil-
lar during the fifteen years he visited this
city. However, not very many lines of
George Foster Platt's ingenious comedy had
been spoken until there was revulsion Of
sentiment and long before the fall of the
final curtain the audience had given in
its unanimous verdict that Lewis Morrison
VIII do very well. indeed, In Frederick the
Great" despite his intimation to the con-
trary in his somewhat pessimistic-albeit
honeyed-curtain speech.
Frederick the Great" is called spec
tacular comedy, but those words convey
faint impression of the enhancing features
It contains. 1t is spectacular. yet not in the
commonly accepted meaning of that term.
There are no sensational scenic or mechan-
ical effects; the settings are simply as elab-
crate and beautiful as any carried by a
road company. Certainly nothing more
handsomely mounted has been seen at Eng
lish's during the entire season. 1t Is a
comedy, but only in the first act. In the
second the comedy element leaps clear of
the authors control and assumes the form
OF a charming, hilarious farce. There Is
scarcely q moment in that act when the
audience is not sent from one CONFUSION
of laughter into fresh paroxysm. To de-
scribe the causes of this merriment would
be to spoil some very agreeable surprises
for those who will certainly emerge from
the shell of their prejudice and go to see
this fascinating play.
In evolving the character of Frederick
for comedy purposes the author has un-
doubtedly taken liberties with him, as well
as with royalty in general, and yet so
matchless is the art of Morrison that his
audience did not know this until they had
left the theater. Whatever the Frederick
last night, played by Mr.. Morrison, was
eminently satisfactory to the public who
saw and enjoyed him.
Besides investing his play with the most
luxurious surroundings and entering heart
lily into the commanding role arranged for
himself, Mr.. Morrison has added to the
luster of his renown by selecting COM
peny OF real players to support him. Nat
urally, interest conferred in the personality
of La Barberina, the witching, intriguing
Italian dancer, interpreted by Miss Flor
ence Roberts, who in private life IS Mr..
Morrison's wife. The highest and most sim
cere praise that can be given to the work
of Miss Roberts is the statement that it
could not easily have been improved on.
Lorena Atwood as the Princess Amelia add
ed greatly TO the charm of the piece by her
beauty of face and form, coupled with a
rich magnetic voice. Adele Clarke showed
herself a Coincidence OF much power In
the character of Countess Swartzfeld- The
men in the company are an unusually fine
lot, and for the most part met all demands
made upon. them. Frank 3. Flaming as
Baron Won Trenck, r. +. Sullivan as Vol
taire and Clarence j. Arper as General Hull
sen were much in evidence and contributed
their full shares to the success of the en-
tertainment. Mr.. Plat, the author, has
been exceedingly modest In the character
arranged for himself. but as Lieutenant
Hulsen, although having not a great deal
to say, won hearty. emphatic recognition.
Frederick the Great Is to be repeated
Mt a special matinee this afternoon. and its
brief engagement terminates with to-
nights performance. There can be but lit
tie doubt that Mr.. Morrison Will be greeted
with audiences more commensurate 10 the
merits of his production. although that OF
last night was Of fair size.