The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-20
Pettis Dry Goods co.
ADJUSTMENTS.
Mary Mannerins I'm "Janice Mere
dfth- at English's.

debut az a full-fedged theatrical star at
English's Opera House last night in jan
ice Meredith before one of the largest and
most brilliant audience ever seen in that
theater II is not likely that Miss Manner
ing has received elsewhere greeting more
cordial than was extended her by her
countless admirers in Indianas capital.
The evening was replete with scenes and
incidents which will not soon be forgotten
by those fortunate enough TO be present.
1t is sufficient OF novelty for a Western
city to have a glimpse of a new and really
great production in advance OF the metrop-
oils for residents Of the favored city to
make the most OF their opportunity. Ones
memory reaches far into last season before
a performance is recalled that was so
marked by unrestrained enthusiasm and
oft-repeated encores as was last nights
performance of the clever melodrama made
from Paul Leicester Ford's widely-read
novel. When the curtain fell upon the first
act the triumph of Miss Mannering, OF her
most excellent company and of the play it
felf was assured by four successive de-
mands for further views of the final tab
leau. The end Of the second act was the
signal for a second ovation. But the
eliminating point of the audiences enthu-
siasm was reached with the brilliant and
effective tableau at the terrpination of Act
3, showing the utter discontinue OF Colonel
Rail and his Hessians, the escape OF
Townes Jack Brereton) from the death of
a spy and the triumph of Janice Meredith.
The applause that hailed this wonderful
climax-which was as fine piece of stage
realism was ever carried into effect
beggars description. The audience half
rose In the seats, so wrought up by the ex-
element OF the situation were they. Men
uttered their praise I'm cheers and "bravos,"
while the women risked destruction of
gloves I'm their frantic handclappings. The
custom of feminine stars responding TO
ovations with curtain talks has never come
into vogue In indianapolis, and 1t was, in
deed, fortunate for Miss Mannering that
this Is true. In lieu Of a speech the entire
company OF principals passed In review be-
before the curtain and each received his
need OF commentator, Miss Mannering
and Mr.. Drouet (Charles Fownes) being al
most overwhelmed with adulation. The fact
IS. the splendid acting of Miss Mannering
and her supporting company, coupled with
several exceptionally fine groupings or
tableaux. blinded those in the audience who
had read the novel thoroughly to many de-
fects of the play. This Is not said by way
OF dsparagement Of the efforts of the
dramatis-s: on the contrary. II is meant for
the sincerest praise. playwright can
have no more difficult task confronting him
than the adaptation OF popular work of
fiction for presentation on the stage. Each
reader forms different conception of the
different characters In the story. Not only
that. but readers OF the story are prone to
dents which have appealed with peculiar
force 10 their fancy are omitted from the
play. The stage version of necessity can
not meet everybody's conception Of the
original characters, nor Is IL possible to re-
produce even the most important incidents
or situations. For instance, some Of the
most fascinating portions OF the novel
Janice Meredith" are the witty colloquies
between Janice and General Washington.
Yet foolhardy. indeed. would be the DRAM
atist who would essay to put Washington
on the stage.
The play. Janice Meredith" viewed So
berry and critically, is a melodrama, pure
and simple, yet withal one OF the cleverest
melodramas seen in many day. The kind
OF stun that passes under that designa ton
Is not, as a rule, marked by such delicacy
or pathos, such sweet simplicity of love
passages or such natural bits of ,repartee.
Miss Mannering Is the ideal Janice Mere
dith. Whatever fault may have been
found with the delineations of other char
acters. no one could surely have failed to
rote that her portrayal was all that could
be desired. All the beauty, all the native
wit, all the tantalizing, fascinating woman
~ vacillation,' all the stubbornness, all the
love or admiration ant all of the true
these superficial traits--so admirably por-
trayed by Mr.. Ford in his pen drawing of
Janice Meredith are realized in the person
and In the exquisite acting of Mary Man
witness her delineation of this delightful
character and yet not exhaust its possf-
bilities for the solid enjoyment that comes
10 the devotee or character study.
Mr.. Drouet's impersonation of the De-
culiar character of Charles Fownes. bond
man. who by weird process of evolution
becomes Colonel John Brereton. is second
only to Miss Mannering's portrayal of
Janice Meredith. and that because IL was
the will OF the author that IL should be so
Mr.. Drouet has scored another triumph
&c be added TO his rapidly increasing list
Miss Amy Ricard improved many excellent
opportunities in the character of Tabitha
Drinkwater, and on several occasions
shared honors with the star. The Mrs
Meredith of Miss Louise Rial was an in
telligent bit OF character work. Miss Vivian
Bernard as SulSey. the darby female SER
want of the Merediths, was excellent both
I'm makeup and In the reading of her lines
creating many a hearty laugh Burr Nc
lntosh had charge OF the difficult role OF
Philemon HenniOn. the young man who
starts as a gawky, good-natured. uncouth
country yokel, and. by successive grada-
tons. comes finally to be polished mill
tary officer Each OF these shades OF char
acter was clearly brought out by Mr.. Nc
1ntosh. a $. Lipman impersonated Lord
Cloves with passing cleverness. consider
ing ,he vilIainy OF the character. George
Backus. as Lieutenant Mowbrey. ha6 but
one really effective situation and scored
a pronounced success I'm that-the scene in
which he cleverly repaid his debt of
gratitude TO Brereton. Carl Ahrendt man.
aged 10 extract considerable of comedy
out OF the character OF Colonel RAIL- the
Hessian officer OF bibulous proclivities X.
X. Mel, as Private Buyer the Hessian
who set TO watch Janice In Colonel
Rails headquarters. had q single line to
speak I'm the entire play. but by his marvel
Gus power OF facial expression made his
part stand out I'm bold relief as one OF
the enjoyable fea lures OF the performance.
Charles NJ. Collins. as Squire Meredith,
and Martin j. Cody. as Squire Hennion.
failed TO distinguish themselves particu-
larry.
The play abounds In interesting lines
end enjoyable situations that are too
numerous 20 be recounted in the narrow
limits OF a newspaper review Ii must
be seen 20 be thoroughly appreciated
The scenery and accessories including
properties. used IN the play are Of the best
known 10 the art OF stage craft The at
tentfon that has been given 10 each de-
tall no matter how apparently trivial Is
little short of marvellous. The farmyard
scene OF the first act. the living room at
Greenwood the home of the Merediths in
the second. the headquarters Of Colonel
Rail I'm the Drinkwater home in the third
and the inferior at Yorktown IN the last
act showing the dreadful ravages OF war
are all realistic IA the highest degree The
costumes are IN perfect keeping with tue
general excellence OF the production and