The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-24
ADJUSTMENTS.
sThe Children OF the Ghettov at Eng
Iish's Last Night.

That Indianapolis theater-goers possess
wills Of their own and occasionally refuse
20 bow down to the imperious dictates Of
the New York dramatic critics was illus
trated In a most happy manner at En-
giish's Opera House last night. When
1.-The Children Of the Ghetto was pro-
duced for the first time in the American
metropolis the critics united in one of the
most violent efforts that was ever made
to sink a dramatic production into utter
oblivion. They would probably have sue
ceeded If men OF different caliber from that
Of the Messrs. Liebler had been behind
the play. They knew. however, that their
money had not been invested in failure.
and with a spirit OF bravery that cannot
be too highly commended resolved to sub
NIT the matter to the judgment of the pub
lie at large for final decision.
To one who saw the piece last night and
noted the manifest delight with which it
was received the verdict Of Indianapolis
can scarcely be in doubt. 1.-The Children
OF the Ghetto unquestionably scored one
OF the season To analyze the production
and attempt TO point out eacn element Of
its success would. perhaps. be impossible.
1t has been said that the play itself is de-
preting IL blinds one to its faults Be that
IL may, there is one fact that is not
open TO rational dispute. Mr.. Zangwill has
succeeded in supplying an element that Is
woefully lacking in many dramas and
without which none can be truly great--at-
mosphere. The characters are convincing
way, but as well because Of their realistic
surroundings. The smallest detail that
would help out the illusion or, in other
words. supply the atmosphere has not been
tr- Dc e. l,exew
credit Is due to James A. Hearne, who Is
certainly a prince of stage directors.
The cast OF 1.-THE Children Of the Ghetto
Is as capable as was ever assembled to
produce a play. The most Insignificant
roles are handled by artists, such as that
of Esther Ansell. the pauper aliens .daugh-
ter, which. as portrayed by Mabel Talia-
ferro, the wonderful child actress, is a
yeritable gem. Nine. Cottrelly is another
actress of undoubted ability assigned to
an unimportant part, that of Mrs. Belco-
witch, an imaginary invalid. yet she some
how manages to invest 1t with interest and
q certain charm.
At the head of the company stands Will
ton Lackaye, whose portrayal of Reb
Shemuel cannot be characterized In few
words. 1t must suffice to say that Mr..
Lackaye's portraiture Of the Yiddish rabbi
deserves to rank with the best known to
the stage. Two scenes in which he gave
marvellous revelations OF dramatic power
will not be easily forgotten. They are the
scene IN the third act, in which the rabbi
oiscloses the relentless power of the an
cient law, and the thrilling mob scene in
the last act, wherein the venerable priest
quells the frenzy of the horde of free
thinking Jews by the resistless force of
his simple eloquence. Mr.. Lackaye was,
however, obliged to share his honors with
Miss Rosabel Morrison, who assumed the
role of Hannah, and Mr.. Guy Bates Post,
who was David Brandon, her lover. Miss
Morrison Is not only a beautiful young
woman. but a thoroughly capable actress
as well and possessed OF a power of facial
expression far above the ordinary. Mr..
Posts ability Is abundantly attested by
his successful struggle against a part that
IL naturally barren Of sympathy. Mr.. Will
linn Norris makes the character of
Pinchas, the Hebrew poet, dominant, in
spite OF the fact that 1t belongs essentially
tn the class OF low comedy. Whether talk
tng or resting, he was always funny. The
character may be exaggerated and doubt
less is, but 1t is certainly a delightful
creation in the hands OF a consur1mate ar
tist. The remaining characters. of which
there are a host, were all handled in a
most satisfactory manner.
THE Children OF the Ghetto" will be re-
peated this afternoon and tonight, and
there can be little doubt that the un-
wonted opportunity of seeing an original
production with cast OF rare excellence
will be embraced.