The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-07

Tomorrow and Tuesday nights English's
Opera House will be given over to brief
reign Of Momus. god of laughter. Willie
Collier is to play a return engagement of
his bright, new farce, MIR. Smooth and
the large audiences that enjoyed the funny
lines and comical situations OF this clever
piece Of farcical literature upon it's former
appearance this season are a sufficient
guaranty that it's return will be welcomed
with equal cordiality. The list Of farces
written in recent years is long one. Those
that have been successful. however may
be easily reckoned. 1t seem remarkable
that one of the most laughable should
have been evolved by man whose sole
business for years has been to tickle the
risibilities of the theater-going public. The
old adage that "a man who is his own law
yer has fool for client" usually applies
with equal force to the actor who attempts
to become his own playwright. However,
the public has rendered different verdict
in the case of Mr.. Collier and his farce
comedy, MIR. Smooth"
1t is always difficult-and indeed some
times dangerous-to attempt TO give an
idea of the story contained in a farce So
much of the humor depends upon witty
dialogue and queer situations that it is
best to allow the public to sit down to
the feast without previous glance at the
menu This much may be said. however,
that a good deal Of fun is obtained from a
case of mistaken identity. which is always
so fruitful in real life as well as upon the
stage.
Mr. Collier has, of course, seen to it
that ''fat" role should be prepared for
himself, and yet he has not been altogether
selfish. There are five or six important
characters in his farce, and, in addition,
number of agreeable little sentimental
scenes scattered through it.
The company presenting "AIr. Smooth"
Is promised to be of a high order OF ex-
cellence and it is also said that from a
scenic point of view the production will
be entirely satisfying.
"The Moth and the Flame" Thursday.
Clyde Fitch's strong satire on modern So
ciety. 1.-The Moth and the Flame" will be
the bill at Englishs Thursday. Friday and
Saturday of this week, with matinee Sat-
urday. This play will be remembered by
those who saw it last season as the one
childrens party. given by adults of New
York's four hundred. attired in all varie-
ties OF Juvenile costumes. and one of the
finest church scenes ever displayed upon
the stage. The children's party is intended
as dab at the follles and foibles Of mod
ern fashionable society, and furnishes un-
bounded amusement. 1t ends in one of the
most surprising and effective climaxes i'm
aginable. AT the fashionable wedding
which takes place in one of New York's
most exclusive houses Of worship another
splendid opportunity for studying latter
day society is afforded When the curtain
rises the church is revealed. with the work
of decorating for the marriage in progress.
This completed the guests begin to arrive,
and are escorted to their seats in a per-
fectly natural manner by appropriately at
tired ushers. The women quickly recognize
each other and fall into a seemingly end
less flow OF gossip and comment upon peo-
pie or their acquaintance, as well as upon
the principals in the affair they about
to witness. Mr.. Fitch has never written
brighter or more sparkling dialogue than Is
contained in this act. Finally the bridal
party arrives, marches TO the chancel rail
to the soft, low music of the organ, and
the service is about to be read by the rec
tor. AT this point a highly dramatic and
thrilling interruption takes place, when a
a woman clad in mourning rushes up the
aisle, denounces the groom as her betrayer
and is stricken down at the foot of the
altar with a brutal blow from his fist,
which so fills the bride with horror that
she fees from the church, leaving all in the
utmost confusion. The story is brought to
happy conclusion in the final act and the
audience goes away feeling thoroughly sat-
isfed.
1.-The Moth and the Flame" is presented
by large company. headed by Herbert
Kelley and Effie Shannon, whose acting
careers are so we'll known as to need no
elaboration. Its production i'm this city,
just as during it's run of lbs nights at Dan
lei FrOhman's New York Lyceum Theater,
with all the original wealth of scenery and
costumes, is assured.