The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-06
ADJUSTMENTS.


"A more striking tribute could scarcely
have been paid to the genius of Mrs. Fiske
than was contained in the splendid audi
ence that greeted her in Becky Sharp" at
the Park Theater last night. The last time
this distinguished actress visited Indian
apolis she played at a more fashionable
house. Not being able, however, to secure
such a theater in which to appear on the
occasion of the pres .lt visit. she was COM
PEELED 10 ask her admirers TO come 10 her,
and for the nonce the Park-for many
years a popular-priced house-was convert
ed into the most select playhouse in Indian
apolis. The city's wealthiest and most cul-
tured people came in their carriages and
were agreeably surprised TO find that the
management of the Park fully appreciated
the honor of their presence. The audience
entered the theater walking on a carpet be-
meath a canopy that excluded the rain,
which was falling quite freely at the time
the performance began. Doorkeeper Brown
was transformed by the aid of a neat-ft-
ting dress suit and the ushers were all at
tired in harmony with the Importance of
the event.
When the audience had entirely arrived.
which. unfortunately, was not until the
frst act was well-nigh ended. a survey of
the specI0us auditorium of the Park was
oANt OnC al HAtdElIdUlt IeeInR.
rev audiences equal In splendor 10 that of
last night have assembled in any playhouse
In the city in several seasons. Practically
every seat on all of the floors of the audi
torium was occupied and the boxes were
tlled with handsomely gowned women and
their masculine escorts.
Mrs. Ftske scored the greatest artistic
triumph or her notable career by her por-
trayal of the character OF Thackeray's fas-
cinatlng heroine. Ii is regretted that the
dramatiSt. Mr.. LangdOn Mitchell. cannot he
said TO have triumphed with the actress.
The adaptation of Vanity Fair" however.
shows marked lack of continuity. and was
evidently made especially for Mrs. F1ske,
since she Is almost 'the whole play" liz is
probably true that Mr.. Mitchell adapted
this ponderous novel as we'll as the work
could possibly cave been done. neverthe-
less, the fact remains that the play, viewed
strictly as a play, is not satisfying.
To say that Airs. Fiske's Becky Sharp
y a creation of art would be TO give utter
ance to a statement that has been So Off
repeated that IL is now almost q platitude.
Every one IN the audience expected TO see
a great piece Of acting, else they would
not have been there. The triumph of the
actress lay, however. in the fact that she
surpassed all expectations and held up 10
view a character creation that excelled
all her previous efforts. brilliant as they
undoubtedly were. OF her delightful por-
trayal OF Tess OF the DUbervilles il might
nave been said that any woman who has
loved could have accomplished as much.
When she essayed the INSCRIPTIONS char
acter OF Becky Sharp" she was required
--'Nf HON AAtANlN ntI DtISOIdilIN. Out neF
best womanly attributes as well. The full
ness or her art Is in the accomplishment
OF this feat. For the time being she was
Becky Sharp'-fascinating. heartless.
mercenary, mendacious. ready TO do almost
any sinful thing 70 accomplish her ambf-
Ton. which was 10 reign a queen I'm the
highest social circle. only two redeeming
features appeared In all the hideous chan.
ters OF her life-she loved her husband
RawdOn traw!ey and sacrificed. tempor-
ar1ly at least. her sole ambition 10 unite
two loving hearts. Even the latter act OF
kindness was married by the fact that il
was done by besmirching the dead Mrs
Ftske evidently knows her T~hackerav ,-aT
Ter. like that great author. she pOrtravs
Vce IN its naked repulsiveness so thar
nope who look may envy. Becky Sharn"
was happy. as the world esteems hapni-
ness; she held the reins over society. she
could fling the most biting sarcasm a.
titled ladies; she could live well on moth
Ing a year. az she jauntily expressed n
and she could trip lightly To the harpsi-
chord and sing a dainty air 10 her own
accompaniment, right after she had done
one OF the most despicable deeds possible
70 a woman. yet. for all that. no one would
want 70 be Becky Sharp. Here again l.
art. Is genius.
Mrs. Fiske's supporting company could
not well be improved. Each member i'm
p~ersonates the character assigned TO him