The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-12
ADJUSTMENTS.
Charles Dalton i'm .The Sign of the
Cross ut EngIish's.

An excellent audience was drawn 20 Eng
lish's Opera House last night by the an
nouncement that The Sign of the Cross
would pay its annual visit 10 that theater.
One OF the marvels of the stage is this play
which continues its popularity in TIE high
priced houses long after it's compeers have.
many OF them, been forced into tho cheaper
theaters. 1t may be doubted if Wilson Bar
rett when he wrote this drama dreamed he
had constructed a work that would be
greeted with delight by American audi
ences for five consecutive seasons. One evil
dent reason for the plays enduring popu-
larity is the practically uniform excellence
of tho successive casts and productions
that il has been given.
The few changes from the cast of last
season and the season before, which were
noted last night, were some of them for
the better, and those that were for the
worse were in comparatively minor charac-
ters. a new woman has been assigned the
role of the Empress Poppea each time the
piece has been sent on the road for the
past three seasons, and the one who now
has the part lacks most in acting ability
OF the three. Miss Brice is a good-looking
young woman, but as an actress She is a
distressing failure. Charles Dalton is still
playing Marcus Superbus, as he has done
SttdOltStiy lnIDukn dH the I'VE Seasons Oh
the drama In this country, and his splen-
did acting seems TO improve, like wine,
With age. His appeal to Nero TO save Mer-
ella and his. portrayal or the conversion Of
Marcus were superb examples of faultless
defamation and brought him merited
recognition. Mr.. Dalton has a host of ad-
mirers in indianapolis who Will hail his
return to the city next year in a new play,
as announced. w. Z. Bonney remains in
the role Of Emperor Nero and his delinea-
ton of the character is a masterpiece in it's
way. II. ~. WeIr1an has acted tie low
comedy part of Glabrfo so long thai IL
has lost the appearance Of acting. He
makes one OF the distinct hits of the per-
formance. Agnes Scott brings TO the char
acter OF Bernice a beauty of face and COM
handing dignity OF person. in combination
with great ability as an emotional actress
that makes her work one of the striking
features CT the production. She is one of
the members Of the cast whose ability has
caused her TO be retained year after year
Mignon Shattinger is a newcomer to the
part of Dacia. but she supplies the charm
n vivacity which 1t requires in such
abundant measure. j. Howard imperson-
ateS faviuSs the leader or the Christians
admirably. Harry Braudreth is only a fail
substitute for 2. Stephens as Titus, also a
Christian. Maude Warrilow has returned
to the trying role of Stephanus, the Chris
tian boy. after being absent last season
Miss Warrilow certainly plays the part
with realism, for the shrieks and groans
she uttered In the torture scene (off the
the Stdscl were 80 natural that the audi
ence was manifestly affected. Lille Thur
low was given the important character OF
Mercia. the Christian girl, last season. and
played II so well that she was retained for
the present production. Miss Thurlow Is an
exceedingly beautiful young woman and
has thoroughly mastered the art of stand
ing motionless. Her voice is clear, rich and
OF the sympathetic quality requisite 70
bring out the full beauty of the lines
sscribed TO the character she portrays.
The Sig or the Cross" viewed scenical,
~, Is @ sumptuous production. The spright.
ly scene in the palatial home OF Marcus
Superbus In the third act was both enjoy
able and artistic. Without exaggeration
II may be said that this seasons version OF
Mr.. Barrett's play Is fully up TO the stand.
ard that was set at the beginning of It's
road tour. Two more performances viii bt
given-this afternoon and tonight.