The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-10
THEWEEK'S ADJUSTMENTS
At ENGLIsH's "THE VILLAGE POST
MASTER" WILL BE PRODUCED.
ufrh-CIass Vaudeville ut the Grand-
Park and Empire Attractions
AT the Zoe.

.sThe Village Postmaster is the only
regular theatrical attraction booked ut
FngIish's Opera House during the week
which opens tomorrow. The engage
ment is for Tuesday and Wednes-
day nights, and a popular matinee
Wednesday afternoon. The play is the
Joint work Of Jerome Eddy and Alice 4.
Ives. and comes 10 this city with the pres
tige Of a New York run Of 27 consecutive
nights. oddly enough cottage bonnets and
the quaint frocks OF 1850 had never been
nut on the stage Of New York until this
production. There had been all sorts Of
costume plays, but Il this period had been
touched upon 1t had not been properly cos
tuned. Manager Rosenquest was doubtful
as TO the advisability of making the cos
tunes too nearly correct, but Miss Ives in
sisted on accuracy, and the stage manager
agreed with her. Miss Ives had plenty OF
trouble digging up old Godey's and Har-
per's magazines and making sketches of
the gowns, but when the night of the dress
rehearsal came the manager was taken
completely by surprise at the charming
pictures made by the women in the play,
quantity gowned though they were. One
OF the interesting features Of the period
OS52) hat are shown I'm THE Village POST
master is training day" Before there
was such a thing as state militia every
able-bodied citizen was required TO turn
out for drill twice a year. He was expect
ed also TO wear a uniform, no matter Of
what date or pattern ii might be. Accord
fngly the old chests were searched and
moth-eaten Continental or Mexican war
regimentals were drawn forth and made TO
do duty on "~trainin' day" Grenadier, ar
tilleryman, and cavalry soldier stood side
by side, and muskets. sabers and hintlocks
completed the odd picture. The captain OF
"the mflishy" was a man OF great impor-
lance In the village, and his office at gin
eral trafnin' was no sinecure, for, what
with drilling this " squad, preserv-
ing his dignity and treating them TO soft
drinks and toothsome viands, he was a
busy man on that day at least. The story
of the play opens on "trainin' day" An
other interesting scene is the reproduction
OF an old-fashioned New Hampshire dona-
ton party, when the country minister had
TO lake his salary In bags of potatoes.
beans. hams and articles OF clothing. eked
out by a small purse Of money. In the
best room" OF the Baptist minister's res
tdence. with Its rag carpet and prim furni-
ture, gather the male and female members
of the church. including the choir. which
is, OF course, asked TO sing. The men talk
politics until squelched by Samantha, the
postmaster's sister. and six of the women
present the poor dominic with slippers of
their own construction. TIL postmaster,
In a pOmpOuS speech, tenders the minister
a purse in the name OF the trustees. Other
unique scenes are threShing day on the
farm. interior of the village church, n
the postofice and country store. TIL or
ganiZatiOn presenting this play IS claimed
TO carry with IL on the road the same elab-
crate scenery and admirable cast seen in
the New York engagement. Archie Boyd
heads the cast, playing the postmaster in
his own inimitable style. The company is
n9GRQG1FlIN a largo ono