The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-04
ubanOld
ADJUSTMENTS.
Fany Rice at English's.

Fanny Rice presented three of the Rosina
Vokes comedies at English's Opera House
last night, and appeared in two of them. In
this way. she furnished fine illustration
OF the utility of the managerial word pre-
sent, for the frequent use of which Mr..
Frohman and others have recently been
held up to ridicuie i'm certain Eastern news
papers. In remaining out of the cast of
the first play on her bill, my Lord in
Livery" Miss Rice merely followed the
precedent established by Miss Vokes, If she
had cut out the piece altogether it would
scarcely have been missed. Some interest
is developed and a modicum of amusement
created toward its close, but hardly suf-
fcient to atone for the dreariness which
preceded. Mr.. Sidney De Grays imper-
sonation of the timorous butler Spiggott
was a clever piece of character acting.
married somewhat by an utterly impossible
walk CD. whose gliding and skating move
ments suggested the use of oil in order to
make possible their execution upon a car
peted floor Frank Blair was also good in
the role of Albert Hopkins. A faulty make
Up or a bad light effect gave him the ap-
pearance of having bad case of goitre on
the right side of his neck. Mr.. Cherry as
Lord Thirlmere was not given the oppor-
tunities which he found in the other two
playlets, but was fully equal TO the de-
mands made upon his ability. The only
ether participant i'm the first piece who was
notably good is Miss Grace Dudley. Miss
Dudley's excellent acting stood out boldly
from the background OF amateurishness
furnished by her two feminine assistants.
THE Circus Rider" one of the brightest
of the Vokes offerings. was given in sat
isfactory manner by Miss Rice and Messrs.
Cherry. De Gray and Blair. The first gen.
uine enthusiasm of the evening was ex-
cited by Miss Rice's delightful imitation OF
circus queen, balancing herself on the
back of flying steed. the steed in this in
stance being q luxurious divan equipped
with strong springs TO help out the IL
fusion.
The last comedy presented was the best:
at least IL gained more appreciation from
the audience than either of the others. In
1.-THE Milliner's Bill Mr.. Cherry. with his
clever assumption of two roles. divided the
Eonors evenly with Miss Rice and her fun
ny singing doll speciality. 1t seems that
i'm the play Jack Merridew. young attor-
ney. impersonated by Mr.. Cherry, has been
told by his wife Nell (Fanny Rice) that a
friend of his was a much better actor than
he In order to disprove this statement
and at the same time teach his wife les
son. Jack DISCUSSES himself as constable
and comes to seize the furniture to settle
large millinery bill which Nell has con-
tracted without her husbands knowledge.
The wifes fright and the subsequent happy
finale constitute the slender plot OF the
piece. which is. however. very entertaining.
Perhaps the contagion of being connected
with comedy named 1.-THE Circus Rider"
has affected Miss Rice and her manager
with the habit of prevarication common to
people of 1.-The sawdust ring" At all events.
the glowing promises held out in the adj
vance notices are by means fulfilled. 1t
IS true Miss Rice wears some unusually
elegant gowns, but she does not appear in
"a series of clever specialties, nor does
she give the repertory of nine Vokes plays,
of which the public is assured she is the
exclusive owner. The series OF special
ties has dwindled to one tor. possibly two,
II the "circus queen imitation be counted),
in the singing doll act which is TO be re-
peated tonight i'm 1.-THE Double Lesson,
substituted for 1.-The Milliner's BILL" The
scenery used in Miss Rice's productions is
appropriate. The engagement terminates
with the special matinee this afternoon and
q final performance tonight.