The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-02
MONARCH.
''. liz East Washington St.
ADJUSTMENTS.


A strong. clean, wholesome. beautiful,
sympathetic play acted with SURPRISING
delicacy of art, staged sumptuousy and
ccstumed with regal richness. Such Is
The Greatest Thing in the World" Har-
riet Ford and Beatrice de Miles clever
play. presented at English's Opera House
for the first time yesterday afternoon and
repeated again last night by a company at
the head Of which is the great actress,
Sarah Cowell lie Moyne.
Miss Ford and Mrs. De Mile, the authors,
have In this drama succeeded in avoiding
the fault Of so many playwrights-that of
providing one or two star parts whose bril-
lance causes the other characters to pale
into insignifcance. OF course a large
amount OF interest and sympathy GER .ers
about the admirable personality of Virginia
Bryant, Of whom Mrs. lie Moyne has made
one OF the finest stage mothers ever seen,
but there are opportunities for the most
finished acting by at least half a dozen
other members of the company Frank
Lander as Cecil Bryant, Virg1nia's elder
son, and Walter Thomas the younger, each
have scenes In which their ability fairly
rivals that Of the star. John Glendenning
as David Mcfarland, Harolds stern,
straight-laced Scotch guardian. supplies
character portrayal of consummate power
and cleverness. Harold Russell as Godfrey
Townsend. McFarland's brother-in-law,
appears 10 exceptional advantage in several
effective situations. Fanchon Campbell as
Helen Mcfarland. In love with Cecil shows
herself a finished actress of the emotions,
her illustration Of the triumph of love over
a strong sense of duty being a remarkable
piece of work. AS dainty and delicate bit
OF ingenue acting as one could wish TO
witness Is done by Adelaide Thurston in the
role of Madge Chiselhurst, Harod's fiancee
Miss Thurston is extremely fortunate in
combining beauty and an attractive per-
sonality with so much acting ability. Great
tho future Mrs Glendenning, an excellent
actress. Is, by the logic OF necessity, forced
10 keep her talents in restraint in the minor
part OF Sarah Mcfarland. The same is
true OF Charles Stanley, who plays DR..
Chiselhurst. The acting perfection of the
production Is maintained even I'm the unim-
portant parts OF Uncle Cudge. the McFar-
land butler, and Anna. Mrs. Bryant's maid.
both OF which are I'm the hands OF unusually
capable people, the former impersonated by
Edwin James and the latter by Miss Anna
.sThe Greatest Thing in the World" is.
as might be inferred, founded upon love,
and this interesting passion Is treated in
many of its phases. The love of sons for
their mother is shown in one of the most
enjoyable scenes of the play. In the second
act. when Mrs. Bryant, coming suddenly
into her sons room, Is received IL she
were & queen and fairly showered with
knightly attentions. The love of unde-
veloped young people - charmingly por-
trayed I'm the scenes between Madge Chises-
hurst Miss Thurston) and Harold Bryant
(Mr. Thomas). The love OF somewhat
eccentric physician for an elderly unmar-
ried woman Is Illustrated In a graphic and
entertaining manner by Mr.. Stanley and
Mrs. Glendinning as Dr. Chisehurst and
Sarah Mcfarland. respectively. Then. too
one Is given few invigorating glimpses
oil the love OF men advanced IN years for
a woman whom they have worshiped
through life and who Is In every way worthy
OF their devotion. Some OF the strongest
situations IN the play occur between Vir-
Einia Bryant airs. lie AIoynep and her
two middie-aged lovers. David Mcfarland
(Mr Glendlnaing) and Ge0ffrey Townsend
(Harold RusselD. The play deals also with
the curse OF heredtty. and this subject is
handled with few bold. yet convincing
strokes by the authors In the end an
honest affection for "A good young woman
seems likely to give Cecil Bryant the Vie
tory over heredity. and this happy denoue-
ment. coupled with Mrs lie Moyne's de-
Hghtful utterancc OF the words Love "a
the greatest thing In the world" 10 her
accepted sutton. combine 20 make the audi
ence finger In their seats as II loath TO
forsake anything so wholly enjoyable
Those who prefer plays with sensational
finaies and brilliant tableau at the end of
all the acts wi be disappointed IN The
Greatest Thing IN the World /" for II Is
essentially a play or home life. Beautiful
clImaxes. there are several, but thrilling
or bloodstirring not one. Nevertheless this
play will endure for Il has In II clements
that appeal 40 the better part OF ones
nature. and few, even OF TIE most faded
theatersoers. but feel now and then the