The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-14
Morrison in "Frederick the Great"

Thursday and Friday nights of the cur
rent week, with matinee Saturday, the
patrons of English's Opera House are to be
entertained by the eminent actor, Lewis
Morrison, in his new spectacular comedy.
.'Frederick the Great" His magnificent
production of Faust" which has become
known throughout the length and breadth
OF the country, gives large hint of this
actors remarkable versatility. And yet the
critics who have seen him in his new play
declare that his character of the eccen-
trio Prussian Emperor is veritable reve-
lation. Those who have read the history Of
Prussia are familiar with the variegated
life of Frederick, who has been justly
termed 'the Great" His pleasant and
stormy relations with the French philoso-
pher and wit, Voltaire, his passionate fond
ness for dogs, his torturing of the flute in
order to set his thoughts TO flowing In regu-
lar course, his AFFAIR with La Barberina,
the famous Italian dancer-aH these and
many more idioSyncraSieS have fascinated
readers of his biography. Mr.. Morrison has
demonstrated, in his portrayal of this ex-
traordinary monarchs character, that ne
has been close student. 1t is said that he
spent six months in endeavoring to master
the flute, so that he could faithfully repro
duce one OF Fredericks' most striking pc
Although Mr.. Morrison is an actor Of I'M
doubted ability. he never forgets the value
of beautiful and accurate scenic surround
ingS in helping to make his work conv1nc-
ing. His Faust was realistic and vivid
TO the last degree, and the result was that
the public never ceased TO flock to see 1t
as long as they could enjoy the double
pleasure OF the dazzling spectacular effects
with Morrison as the central figure. In his
Frederick the Great Mr.. Morrison has
put forth the same earnest effort TO please
the eye. and has succeeded in most salts
tying manner. A brief description of the
great battle scene will amply suffice to
show that the play is we'll worth seeing,
from a scenic as we'll a dramatic point
OF view. The battle of Liegnitz is revealed,
almost ended, the Austrians with Teutonic
tenacity contesting every inch of lost
ground. Frederick and his staff have been
resting for the first time on that fateful
day in an old barn, from which the din of
battle is heard in the distance Automatic
regiments OF soldiers appear Up the noun
tain maneuvering with military precision.
Suddenly a shell is seen to strike a farm
house, which Immediately falls a flaming
wreck while burning haystacks illuminate
the entire scene. The deep-mouthed can
non roar al intervals, then there is lull
death-dealing shell strikes the stable just
vacated by the Emperor and in an instant
the building crumbles TO pieces, a dilapi-
dated ruin. A huSsar dashes up, bearing
orders. Frederick mounts his fiery steed,
and setting spurs TO its weary TANKS, dis
appears in cloud OF dust TO complete the
now assured rout OF the enemy. The setting
sun casts q rudy glow over all and the
curtain falls
All OF the elaborate effects produced in
ssFrederick the Great are caused by pat
ented electrical and mechanical devices,
which for ingenuity and novelty are said
to surpass anything yet attempted by Mr..
Morrison.