The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-02
ADJUSTMENTS.
Mrs. Leslie Carter i'm "Zaza" at Eng
IIsh's Opera House.

Mrs. Leslie Carter made her first ap-
pearance In "zaza," at Enslish's Opera
House. last night. and her triumph was
none the less great because IL was long-de-
ferred. Mr.. Belasco's play has been much
talked and written about ever since 1t was
first produced i'm New York, yet one must
SEES II for himself TO realize its full power
and charm. Words could scarcely convey
an adequate idea OF the realism Of the pro-
duction. to say nothing of Mrs. Carriers
wonderful portrayal of the life and regen-
Grafton of Zaza. the apparently souiless
creature of dance halls and cafes chantant.
The first act shows the rear of the stage
of a provincial concert hall at Saint
Etienne. and the interior of Zaza's dress
ing room. A piece is in progress on an in
visible stage, the coryphees fit in and out,
the leading people pass through the doors
and are greeted effusively by the imaginary
audience. An exquisite touch Of realism is
added by the property mar showing how
the hoofbeats of a horse are simulated.
The real audience applauded vociferously
when the big sheet of tin was shaken Wig
orously. producing the thunder, and two
live wires were passed over each other,
causing vivid flashes of lightning" Stage
realism has seldom been carried to such a
daring point before.
Perhaps the delicate senses OF some were
shocked at sight of ballet girls, of the type
made familiar by the facile brush of Archie
Gunn. standing. walking and darling
about In every pose suggested to the aban-
don of women of that class. Perhaps, too.
some were shocked at the way Zaza showed
how a concert hall leading lady" prepares
herself 10 dazzle the public. Ii must be adj
mitted that the first act of the play, while
RraNbic and interesting. Ia a ffifp strong
for n refined audience. Yet this sort OF
thing Is dubbed art and people flock by the
hundred TO see IL, so managers can scarcely
be blamed. "Zaza' is undeniably naughty.
and the public knew that fact before they
entered the theater- But II one can with
stand the loOSer portions or the play, there
Is a moral to 1t all. The wisdom of incul-
eating a moral by "a theatrical production
which. IL given TO the public I'm the form of
a novel. would be read only surreptitiously,
may be doubted. however. IL was a tribute
TO Mrs Carriers art that she could act the
part OF such a woman as Zasa with such
ability as TO wiring applause
even from people who must have had an
adherence for the creature she portrayed.
In the never-to-be-forgotten fourth act. IN
the quarrel scene. where Zaza told Bernard
in words that cut like knives how he had
allowed her TO love him when he knew he
was bound 10 another. ending up b,s rats
10 do IT,. and throwing herself on the
divan, a crushed. convulsively\ sopbing
piece or femininity. the work OF the actress
attained it's greatest height OF dramati
power and the pause that ensued was brok-
en- by applause that fairly shook the
house. IL WAS "A brilliant triumph, even
though gained BY the delineatiOn of "A char
acter almost thoroughly bad. Again the
actress ~triumphed IN the scene that quickly
followed. that which shows Zazn's clever
subterfuge of making Bernard believe she
has told his wife everything In order to
force him to show what a despicable man
he really was. The last scene seemed un-
necessary, except TO display "A bit OF
gorgeous scenery. IL simply retold what
Was known at the conclusion OF the fourth
that Zaza had torn Bernard from her life
on account OF the child Toto.
Ihe company supporting Mrs. Carter is
excellent. except. perhaps. Charles A. Stew
enson' who need not be excepted had he
maintained 10 the end the show OF ability
made ln the early portion OF the play. Har-
one OF those old roues 50 essential 10 plays
OF the sapho. Camille Becky Sharp'
and "Zaza type. a really fine piece of
work was done by Mark Smith. as Cascart.
the singing partner and finally manager Of
Zaza. Mefle Bates improved a splendid op-
portuntty To contribute one of her delight
ful character bits in the part OF Rosa
Bonne. Zaza aunt, whose code OF morals
was elastic enough 10 permit her to proAt
by the concert hall existence OF her niece
Nina Lyn brought beauty and command
Ing dignity OF person. united with talent. I'm
No tnconsiderable degree. 10 the minor role
OF Nine. Dufresne. The only other charac-
ters that stood out with any prominence
from the rest were those Of Nathalie
Zaza's maid. Alice Morei. her fafthfui
companion, and the child Toto. which were
well handled by Maria Davis. Maude VIM
ter and little Theresa Berta-
fZaZ8E Will he Feneafed fo-nfghf