The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-31
NEWS OF The THEATERS
EDWARD RICHARDS AND WIFE. OF
THIS CITY, TO TRY VAUDEVILLE.
Of Their sketch at the
of the Local P%Iayhouses.

The first bit OF acting on the stage of
the Grand Opera House since that theater
closed last spring was done yesterday
morning. The ranks Of seats were in gloom
and the only light on the stage came from
the square scenery door i'm the rear wall.
The back part of the stage was filled with
newly painted Autograph stands. The
actors were Edward Richards and his wife.
of this city. who have decided to try their
fortunes I'm vaudeville. The audience was
composed Of "A few friends Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Richards who sat I'm one of the stalls; Mr..
Grace, the stage carpenter, and two or
three of his assistants, who were busy
with the preparations for the coming sea-
son: passersby in the alley. who paused
a moment to look in on the stage, a temp
tation no one can resist, and Mrs. Harriet
Augusta Prunk. who has been coaching
Mr.. and Mrs. Richards and who sat on a
chair close to the footlights like a true
stage manager. holding the manuscript OF
Mr.. and Mrs. Richard are well known.
though neither of them has been profess
sionally engaged in public entertainment.
Mrs. Richards. who was Miss Emma Pur-
sell, has pleased her friends by her recit-
ing for several years. The two found the
ground work of a short play. and with the
assistance of Mrs. Prunk have worked IL
up into "a lively sketch. They have named
II "A Double Mistake" II tells the story
Of "a young man and his wife who mis-
takenly suspect each other of having be-
slowed their affections I'm other places,
and who discover to their great happiness
that their suspicious have no right.
Without scenery or properties the little
play moved briskly yesterday morning.
ana there seemed no reason why IL should
not be successful I'm the high-class vaude-
Vile theaters. Mrs. Richards is pretty and
has magnetism" two points that a. vaudc-
vile theater audience rates higher than
all others. and Mr.. Richards Is easy and
quick; Mrs. Prunk said she was delighted
with her pupils and their playlet.
Mr.. and Mrs. Richards have arranged to
enter the Orpheum circuit. most OF the
but they may show their sketch here and
at Cincinnati before they start West.
Xxx
Manager Bronson. OF the Grand Opera
House. announces that the sale OF seats
for the opening week at his theater week
after next will begin next Thursday morn
ing at . o'clock.
Ed +. Rush's Bon Ton Burlesauers will
give performances every afternoon and
night next week at the Empire Theater.
That house always Is packed ON Labor
day. and seats are now on sale there.
XXX
The long spell OF melodrama at the Park
Theater will not be broken next week.
Two Little Waits and "A Thoroughbred
Tramp will divide the six playing days
there. William l.. Roberts and his com
any Will give the last two performances
OF his Revolutionary drama, AT Valley
Forge" at the Park to-day.
English's Opera House will he closed
next week until Friday night. when Odette
Tyler and r. ID. MacLean and their com
pany will begin an engagement of three
performances, presenting "Coriolanus,'
School for Scandal and King John"
IL was reported at New York yesterday
that Ada Gray hPd died al Fordham. She
had been i'll for a long time. Late I'm the
day Miss Gray was seen by a reporter and
said. 81 have not felt better In seven
months She has been out of stage work
for some time. but she has not been for
gotten by the thousands of people that
have seen her play Lady Isabel in East
Lynne" She acted that part for many
seasons at the Park Theater I'm this city.
The Happy Holler Stock Company. assist.
ed by Miss Sophia r.. Bradford. will give a
four-act drama and illustrated songs Thurs
day evening, Sept. 5. at the new South Sid
Turner Hall.