The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-27
ADJUSTMENTS.
Annie Russell In "Miss Hobbs" Al
English's Opera louise

1t Is not at all likely that any one of the
many who were at English's Opera House
last night expected TO be treated to such
a sparkling comedy as Miss Hobbs or
to see a company Of such superlatively ex-
cellent players as formed Miss Russelrs
supporting cast. Although the piece is
from the pen of Mr.. Jerome, whose charm
ing story OF Three Men in a Boat
stamped him as a man OF keen wit, it far
surpasses that or any other piece of ltera-
ture that ever emanated from his fertile
mind. 1t would be a pity to spoil the de-
liciou5 sensations In store for those who did
not see Miss Hobbs" last night by trying
to give even a faint idea of its c~leverness.
A married couple. one that is entertaining
the idea Of wcdlock, a most agreeable man
of the world, a new woman and a
maiden aunt, whom everybody loves at
first sight for her own delightful sake, are
the principals in the play. A funny type
OF Buttons and an old sea dog are Incl
dental personages. who nevertheless man
age to contribute their full share of the
enjoyment produced by the comedy. Mrs.
G.. II. Gilbert played the maiden aunt in
her own wonderful manner. Possibly the
tOAo4aA 6AtCthe hAOh tAC ~ Saw
the veteran actress upon her first appear
ance had something TO do with the IN
usually excellent work she did. Certain
It is that II she intended to repay her
friends for the warmth of their welcome
she discharged the debt in full. A cleverer
or more enjoyable bit OF character acting
has not been seen at English's all sea-
son long.
Miss Russell is. OF course. a
actress. That everybody who knows any
thing at all about stage celebrities knows
full well. But IN her production OF Miss
Hobbs she is obliged TO share the honors
with her company, and pretty evenly with
certain members OF II. Charles j. Richman,
who was associated with Mrs. Gilbert In
the DAILY forces. was one whose work last
night measured fully up TO that OF the fem
mime star. possibly at times even surpass-
ing IL in brilliance. 1t must be remembered
hat the play was originally intended for a
masculine star, a fact which will make
plain any difference in the roles OF Mr..
Richman and Miss Russell, in the former'
favor. Campbell Collan was all that could
be desired. except perhaps in looks. as Per-
cival kingSearl, the young husband. How
ever. Mr.. Collan's art Is of the II that
causes one to forget whether in personal
appearance he is quite the ideal of the
part he is playing. The George Jessup OF
William II. Levers Is a fresh n attrac-
tive character creation. Mr.. Levers
possesses unusual power Of a facial ex-
preston. as we'll as ample acting ability.
OF the two remaining women in the cast.
Miss Clara BlO0dgood. who assumed the
role of Mrs Percival Kingsearl. made the
stronger impression, but II may be doubte
whether Miss Mabel Morrison would not
have pleased equally as well had her char
acter OF Millicent Farley been as impor-
tant as that of Beulah Kingsearl. Both
young women are exceptionally cookbook
ing and possess in abundance the quality
Genominated fine stage presence"
The rich and appropriate stage settings
OF Miss Hobbs" must not be forgotten.
Nothing could be more complete or at
tractive than the interior OF the yacht
which constituted the scenic environment
of the third act, in which t~ranspired one OF
the most delightful incidents of the play.
The d-rawingrooms of the Kingsearls'
house and of the Mills house were also
quite In keeping with a piece of such clever
composition as Miss Hobbs"
Miss Russell and her impair will give
another performance tonight.