The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-21
VIII BE Seen at the Grand Opera
House All This Week.

Our Boys is the pleasing title of the
play selected for the stock company's week
beginning tomorrow night. 1t is a comedy
OF the most attractive type, delightfully."-
breezy and free from anything of serious
nature. 1t will constitute one of the best
possible means of securing mental relaxa-
ton. which is a cogent cause that leads
many people into theaters at the close OF a
busy day
"Our Boys" has the distinction of a two
years run in London when Toole was play
ing it, and proved one of the most popular
productions of its kind in the English
metropolis.
The story is of two old men living in the
same neighborhood in the rural district
about London, who have each a son. the
young men being as much unlike each other
as are their sires. Perkyns Middlewick.
one of the old men, is a retired butter
dealer, who has amassed sufficient wealth
to insure the wolf being kept from his door
the remainder of his life. Godfrey Champ
neys, the other elderly gentleman, is
dignified old aristocrat of bluest blood, who
merely tolerates the butter man because
of the latter's position OF financial secur-
ity and the fact that the two boys have
formed a close friendship while attending
the same school. The first act opens with
the return of the two young fellows from
a continental trip. The butter mans son,
Charles Middlewick. is a handsome. clean
cut manly young fellow, while Talbot
Champneys, the scion of aristocracy. is in
clined to de dudish in dress and of indolent
habits, yet withal thoroughly good fellow.
Before the arrival of the boys the older
men had arranged scheme to marry thsm
of-young Champneys to an heiress named
Violet Mesose, and Middlewick to her
course, fail TO fall In with this nice little
matrimonial plan, Charlie Middlewick hav-
ing met Violet Melrose while abroad and
fallen in love with her. Unfortunately, how
ever, he has given her an assumed name,
fact which results to his prejudice when
his real identity becomes known. Then,
too, the young woman's poorly concealed
amusement at his fathers lack of educa-
ton CRATES on the young man. While Tai
bot and Mary are making smooth progress
In their love affair. Charlie and Violet are
drifting apart more and more until the
opposition of their parents causes re-
action, and the second act closes with the
young people resolved to marry according
to the dictates of their own hearts. This
causes a rumpus in the Middlewick and
Champneys households, and the young men
are given to understand that they can re-
arrange their love affairs to correspond
with the parental programme or else get
out. They accept the latter alternative and
start for London to make their own way In
without much success, and the third act
takes place in their meagerly furnished
attic apartment In a cheap lodging house.
There they are found by Talbot's aunt
Clarissa, who, in company with the two
girls, has come to London in search OF
them. Old Middlewick and Chamrneys
visit the city for the same purpose, having
concluded to give up their fight, and all the
characters meet in the garnet room, where
they hold a jolly reunion, the younger
people being particularly happy over their
victory.
Herman Sheldon will, of course, make
hit in the fat role of Perkyns Middle
wick, and his abundant powers of amusing
will come into full play. Mr. Macy will
appear as Charles Middlewick. Mr.. kolker
as Talbot Champneys, Mr.. Kramer as his
father. Miss Shannon as Mary Melrose,
Miss Donico as Violet Melrose, Miss Rand
as Belinda, and Miss La Verne as Aunt
Clarissa.
Mr.. Livingston will provide scenic sur
roundings for the comedy that will be en-
tirely satisfying. There will be the usual
Wednesday and Saturday matinees.