The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-12
ADJUSTMENTS.
ssThe Moth and the Flame" at En-
st-r gIish's Last Night.

Those who enjoy play that is built upon
strictly conventional lines, in which the
events succeed each sther with as unerring
regularity as marks the procession Of the
equinoxes, so that the happening of the
next may be calculated from its predeces-
sor with almost mathematical accuracy.
would do well to remain away from ''The
Moth and the Flame" Clyde Fitch's mas
terpiece of satire was given most salts
flying production at English's Opera House
last night by a stellar company, headed by
those twin stars of emotional acting. Her.
bert Kelley and his beautiful wife, Efhe
Shannon. There were not many present 10
enjoy the performance. but, no eoubt they
will be the means of bringing to-night's at
tendance to a size worthy OF the merit of
both play and players
"The Moth and the Flame is a piece of
dramatic literature that battles attempts
at classification 1t is not a comedy. and
yet few straight comedies win more genu-
Inc. hearty laughs. 1t is not pure drama,
since 1t contains climaxes that SAVIOR
strongly OF the melodramatic. Ii is a daT-
ing, yet by no means impossible combina-
ton OF all these. The rise of the curtain
discloses a juvenile party attended exciu-
sively by adults in freakish attire, in full
swing In the drawing room OF a wealthy
New Workers. mansion. While one room Is
temporarily free of the merrymakers, Mr..
Dawson. brother-in-law of the host, Mr..
Wolton. enters and, calling for Wolton. de-
nounces him as a defaulter. absolutely re-
fusing TO aid him I'm any way to get out of
his difficulty. The host retires to his room
upstairs. first ordering the butler to allow
no one TO disturb him. When the gayety
is at its height muffied sound is heard
as of body falling, and the pendants on
the chandelier tinkle just enough TO cause
some one to remark that perhaps trunk
was being moved about In the room above.
Later Marion. the daughter. goes up and
discovers the horrible tragedy. Rushing
down, she calls for her mother and, as
the two bereft women stand In the center
OF the room, sobbing uDoE each others
shoulders, the grown-up children execute
May day dance about them to the air of
Wont You Come Out and Play With Me?"
The next scene Is the great church we'd
ding, which begins with such delicious gos-
sip among the guests In the pews before
the arrival OF the bridal party, and ends
with the grooms discontinue at the ap-
pearance of the woman he has betrayed.
One might think a scene like this could not
be carried of except in ridiculously melo-
dramatic fashion-that is, If one forgot that
Clyde Fitch wrote the play and Herbert
Kelley and Efiie Shannon are interpret
Ing II.
Naturally enough. Mr. Kelley and Miss
Shannon are much In evidence, and their
acting is almost without faw-particular-
" that of Mr.. Kelley. but they by no
means dominate the entire piece. The work
of Miss Ethel Winthrop as Mrs Lorimer
the divorce, is of the kind that cannot be
praised too highly. There is an unctu-
BUSINESS about her portrayal of the charac-
ter that is irresistible. Miss Mabel Flor
ence. who appears as Ethel, society wo-
man of the backbiting variety, is an
other important figure in the comedy por-
ton OF the play Miss Winona Shannon
contributes delicate bit OF pathetic act
Ing that Is as fine in its way as anything
I'm the performance. Miss Isabel Waldron
makes a splendid Mrs. Wolton. Charles
Stsdman is thoroughly convincing in the
character of Wolton. the suicide. The most
brilliant work is unquestionably done by
Mr.. Kelley, whose delineation of the con-
trssts OF good and evil I'm the character of
Edward Fletcher Is veritable study.
THE Moth and the Flame" Is staged in
the most attractive manner possible. The
church interior compelled applause by it's
beauty and accuracy. and the other scenes
were scarcely less pleasing.
IL Is indeed fortunate that the engage
ment Is 10 include three more perform
ances. tonight. tomorrow afternoon and
night The production is one that merits
and VIII assuredly receive liberal patron
age.