The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-17

AT the Old Cross Roads, a melodrama
by Hal. Reid, is presented at the Park
Theater by Arthur c. Aiston's company,
and Its cordial reception, despite its be-
ing an old story, at the Park and other
ttheaters OF the class, should be an en-
couragement to other producing managers
to use good sense and taste in the selection
Of players, actors and scenery for middle
grade houses. This particular melodrama
is of exceptional interest because of it's
having for a basis a conflict peculiarly
intimate to this country. Its principal
figure is an octoroon woman, handsome,
passionate and high-tempered. who has
had child by white plantation-owner
and has been denied the rights and joys
OF motherhood She has seen the child
grow into girlhood. possessed by the de-
fusion that her mother was dead. she has
seen her sent away to school and after
several years return young woman to be
joyfully welcomed by the people of the
plantation-and during all this she has had
to stand back among the other 'niggers, ="
catch the girl TO her breast At length
this impulse overpowers her and she pub
hcly proclaims herself as the mother of
Annabel Thornton, to the horror of the
girl and her friends. Then the elder
woman and her daughter withdraw to a
secluded house.
redoubled. the woman is provoked to fur
Their quarreling with the man that has
prosecuted her. and waiting for him in a
struggle that ends in his death. She is
acquitted of the charge OF murder, IL Is
discovered that her blood is free from ne
gro faint and she accepts an offer of mar
rage from an honest" gambler, who long
has loved her.. Estha Williams imperson-
ates Parepa. the wronged, but finally tri-
umphant woman, with an appealing inten-
sity and grace and James Brophy plays
the square gambler who, of course. takes
an entirely honest occupation at the end
play is crude and generally insignificant.
but IL and its actors deserve and get SUBJ
stantial commentator in theaters like the
Park.
The condition of Frank Fisher. the men,
Der of the team OF Fisher and Clark, who
has been at deaths door, Is improved.
Yesterday he was able to take slight nour-
ishment and the doctors now have hopes of
his ultimate recovery. He has Cancelled
all dates for the next two months, and
II ne can be moved his wife will take him
to Pittsburg. his home. at the end of the
present week Meantime, his wife is open-
ing the show at the Grand with a singing
and dancing turn, and she meets with great
sad story. Miss Bergere is attracting at
tention with her clever one-act comedy
Next week Fannie Rice and Josephine
Sabel head the bill.
Eleanora Duse has arrived ard has be-
gun rehearsals with her company in Bos-
ton. where their tour will begin on next
Tuesday evening: D'Annunzio's three
plays-"Giaconda," "The Dead City, and
Francesca Da Riminf'-and Dumas
Camille and Sudermanns "Magda" will
be presented.
Eleanor Robson. IL Is announced, is to
have the name-part In the dramatization
OF Mary Johnston's Audrey" Her last
visit to this city was with Mrs lie Moyne
and Otis Skinner in Browning's 'In a
Balcony.
James G. Huneker is TO become dramatic
critic OF the New York Sun on Nov. l.
FRANKLIN Fyles. who has written about the
stage for that paper for over fifteen years
will do critical work for the Mail and Ex-
press.
F. Marion Crawford, the novelist. has
sailed for New York. He purposes to ar
range for the dramatization OF one of his
novels but he has not yet decided which
one He Is on the North German Ilovd
steamer Lain, which left Naples yesterday
Four more performances win bring to a
close the engagement OF the Merry Maidens
at the Empire.
Notwithstanding reports to the contrary
Ezra Kendall. who comes to English's
Monday evening. is not looking for the
mantle of Sol Smith Russell. According TO
his managers. the Messrs- Liebler. he does
hy the great American theater-going pub