The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-25

VIII He Seen MT the Grand Opera
House All of This Week.

Alabama" as it viii be played by the
stock company at the Grand this week
will be found an innovation. When
Augustus Thomas wrote and produced this
play the critics were surprised that story
so quietly told and with so little dramatic
episode should prove so popular. They
then realized that Mr.. Thomas's play was
of new school. and the more they saw
of 1T the better they liked it. Taking a
charming section of Alabama for his To-
cality and the period just following the
close of the civil war for his time, MIR.
Thomas evolved play that cannot fail
to always be a delight whenever and
wherever produced. provided. of course, it
be well played and properly staged.
These two items have been attended to.
for the cast at the Grand this week will
be found unusually strong and the scenic
display more beautiful than ever. The i'm
portation Of all the scenery and effects
used in the big revival of Alabama at
Cincinnati recently will tend to surround
the play next week with more lavish
framework than it would ordinarily have.
1t depends much for success upon the
color given ii both by the people and the
stage effects, as well as what is known as
atmosphere" that the story really plays
a secondary part in the production. Such
character types as Colonel Moberly, Squire
Tucker and Colonel Preston are rarely
met with on the stage. Life in this little
portion Of Alabama had gone along
smoothly enough until the march OF
progress sent railroad that way, and
then all was excitement. The residents
were divided. some wanting the railroad.
others not. Colonel Preston opposed II be-
cause it brought the North nearer the
supporter of the 'lost cause" Squire
Tucker was against the railroad because
1T would, he said. scare the frogs out OF
the bayou and thus deprive him of
was for the railroad, but was
anxious to find out which widow would be
fortunate enough TO have her property
crossed by the line that he might pro-
pose. Captain Davenport at the head of the
railroad, a Northerner by choice, though
a Southerner by birth, comes to this section
Of the country to look after the interests
of his line and incidentally to renew old
family ties which had been severed by his
siding with the Union. He was a widower
and his daughter, now young woman,
was living with her grandfather, Colonel
Preston. The two men had not spoken for
many years owing to the captains mar
riage and afterwards his alliance with the
North. Davenport had changed his name
purposely when he entered the service of
the Union and the development of the
story of the play is constantly toward the
hoped-for reconciliation. Several charming
love affairs are prominent throughout the
four acts of the play. There is a soft
Southern haze around Alabama" 1t Is
of the South, purely. and undoubtedly the
most picturesque production yet seen at
the Grand. The broad speech of the south
Is heard almost in every character, and
there is a charm about IL that will take
possession of the audience from the first
rise of the curtain.
Miss Shannon's return to the cast as
Carey Preston will be pleasing event. The
Grands leading woman has a strong hold
upon the affections of patrons and in the
sympathetic part of the Southern girl this
week Miss Shannon will be seen to admir-
able advantage. Mr.. Macy will appear as
Colonel Moberly, Mr.. Mayall Of Cincinnati,
as Captain Davenport, Mr.. Sheldon as
Squire Tucker, Mr.. Talbot Colonel
strong, Mr.. Kramer as Raymond
Stockton, Miss lie Verne as Mrs. Page and
Miss Rand as Atlanta Moberly.