The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-12
NEWS OF The THEATERS
OTIS INN is MAKING A PLAY
TO THE GALLERIES.
Park Theater Offers New Sensatfons
Drama To-Dsy-Current Stage
Affairs.

Otis Skinner has been treated with great
consideration by the public and the news
papers. For a long term of years he has
been looked on as a pleasing actor OF
romantic plays. His little excursions into
Shakespeare, after he left the ranks of the
leading men and became n star, have been
encouraged. He is graceful and pleasing.
good humored and rich voiced. His au-
diencss. when ne used to play at the Grand.
end later when he played at English's. in
This city, have been large and appreciative.
The theatrical syndicate has not seen Mt
to permit Mr.. Skinner TO enter New York
often. but for several seasons Charles
Frohman let Mr.. Skinner have certain COM
edies imported from England after John
Drew had finished with them. In this way
Mr.. Skinner has been seen in Rosemary
and ''The LIARS" and has done very we'll
with them. His manager, Joseph Buckley,
said I'm this city once that he and Mr..
Skinner would like to have first chance
AT ono of the new English comedies, but
Mr.. Frohman, having a great deal more
Last season Mr.. Skinner entered New
York and presented his dramatization of
Robert Louis Stevenson's Prince Otto"
Last spring ne was engaged by the Liebler
company for a joint starring tOur with
Eleanor Robson and Mrs. lie Moyne in I'm
a Balcony" The fact that this venture
was recognized as an excellent piece of
enterprise-it having seemed probable that
Browning would not go'-and was sue
cessful beyond all expectation, seemed to
have raised Mr.. SINNERS appreciation of
himself TO an unwarranted degree
Mr.. Skinner is now in northern Wisconsin
taking his vacation on the trout streams.
He soon will go to Chicago to begin re-
h~earsals of the Boker-Barrett version Of
FRANCHISES da Rimini." 1t so happens that
o,, IT. oIsoh,rop popood CfaDbo, Dill
lips has written a play in blank verse deal
ing with the same old theme and entitled
"Paolo and Francesca" This work has
been hailed by the best critics of England
and America. including William Dean
Howells, who ranks Phillips above Edmond
Rostand. as one OF the finest pieces of
poetic drama written in the last half of
the century George Alexander has the
England and the United States. He will
produce IL In London this autumn. 1t
seems needless TO say that Mr.. Alexander
j. one or the foremost actor managers in
the world.
Without first explaining that he could get
the acting rights To "PaolO and Fran
cesca." which explanation is absolutely nee
esssry. Mr. Skinner has announced that
he does not think much of MIR. Phillips and
his play. "PhiIips's play." saws Mr. skin
ner. lis beautiful poetry. but poor drama.
The young author ~palpably understands
Skinner apparently does not know that Mr..
Phillips was a successful actor before ne
Iounu tudl the puDDC demanded so much
OF his poetry that he had TO leave the
etage.
"Phillips's work is full OF poetic sweet
ness. but poetic sweetness cannot compen-
safe for the lack OF dramatic strength.
An American audience will not sit in a
theater three hours to listen to a lot of
rhetoric" continues Mr.. Skinner.
As this statement has been printed grave
ly In many newspapers. and in one of large
circulation in this city. as il il were of
hnal authority. IL is probable that "A great
number OF persons that see Mr.. Phillips
and Mr.. Skinner in their true proportion
are smiling Indignantly when they think of
the actors pronOuncement. Unfortunately
the fact that large audiences have ap-
plauded the artificial climaxes of such
PLAYS as Janice Meredith" when
knighthood was In Flower Richard Car
vel. and some OF Mr.. SINNERS melo-
dramas reveals that a great part Of the
pubic WI accept, as many newspapers
have accepted. what Mr.. Skinner SAYS as
the truth, when his statement should show
up In its real light the effort OF an actor to
make the public believe that his goods IS
the best of the market. IL reminds one of
q bargain counter advertisement.