The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-20

p. m.
The most interesting reports Of Mrs.
CampbeI's first performance of Mr.. Ben
sons play, Aunt Jeannie." at the Garden
Theater, New York. come from Mr.. Towse,
of the Evening Post. and Mr.. Hapgood. Of
the Commercial Advertiser. When the
English actress first appeared in this coun-
try last winter Mr.. Hapgood. having seen
and been conquered by her ability in Lon
don, began and kept up a considerable
boom for her here. For that both Mrs.
Campbell and the public have to thank
him. Mrs. Campbell is the most important
player in the present view. not only be-
cause of her skill In acting. but also on ac-
count of her intelligence in the selection of
plays and the members Of her company.
When a critic helps her he helps the pub
seems that Mr.. Hapgood's perception is not
SO sharp as II should be. He tells the
story of the play thus:
that she loves Lord Lindfeld. 1t Is her
first affair. and she takes 1t with due seri-
business The peer a man of many con-
quests. thinks 1t his best, and an engage
ment is presumably near. To them Mrs.
Halton, Daisy's Aunt JEANNE. returns
from Paris, where she has soothed the
obscure last years of Daisy's elder sister,
whose life and marriage Lindfield has
wrecked. Aunt Jeannie's one thought is
10 break off the peers affair with Daisy,
show her the manner of man he really is,
and yet keep from her, as it has always
been kept, knowledge Of her sisters fate
and his part In It. Accordingly. Mrs. Hal
and arts Of a practiced woman Of the
world In full and charming maturity. BY
the end of Ascot week her conquest is COM
plete. The girl suffers in youthful pride.
Mrs. Halton's own betrothed tries to be
generous and Is only puzzled. The girl
breaks, asks an explanation, catches a hint
from dates on a photograph. learns from
her aunt her sisters story. catches a hint
of Lindfeld's place in II. flashes for a mo-
ment into resentment at the deceit on all
sides and goes to cry to herself The peer,
papers,, comes. In turn, for an explanation.
A hint from Aunt JEANNE as to the sister
sends him away silent and sobered. And
so she wins her game.
1.-The playwright. says this critic. els
content TO set on the stage a transcript of
the little corner OF life that he knows at
first hand and that shall pleasantly interest
lat moments even stir-by the truth and
adroitness Of his observation the wit and
crisp significance Of his dialogue, the fe-
lcity and consistency OF his characterize
ton and the natural evolution Of his
action"
Yet. from Mr.. Hapgood's description of
the matter Of the play. its significance is
trite and OF slight value. 1t presents. for
the spectators admiration the successful
maneuvers OF a type Of British matron very
familiar She is handsome, clever and
serene. Instead of clearing up the trou-
blous affair with one gesture, she goes
atrfc The story is hardly
credible and II taken as truth teaches one
nothing new as 10 the rottenness of con-
ness CLOSED over by the Benson play. for
It's heroine Is an idealized time-server and
Mr.. Towse absurdly refers to Mrs. camp-
bells Pinerp repertoire as of 'unwhole-
some plays" He is pleased at the actress's
change OF medium. However, his praise of
her will be OF good service when she pro-
duces Sudermann's Long Life to Life
He says:
The role created for Mrs. Campbell bv
Mr.. Benson gave her the opportunity TO
show In an eminent way the compass of
her talent. That this is great. that she
has fine intelligence as we'll as marked
physical charm, that her art compels her
TO the simplest methods in producing over
towering effects. was put beyond question
by her performance of last evening. Pitch
Ing the note low from the beginning. she
played throughout with admirable re-
%straint. yet with deep Significance, and
othen kept the audience in hush by the
clear sincerity OF her portrayal. so free
from strain and exaggeration. II was a
lesson In acting by which many a ranter
might well profit; as might also some OF
the inarticulate numbers OF the current
stage profit by her beautifully distinct, vet
low and smooth. elocution. No one could
see and hear her last night without feeling
that her cropping of the disagreeable
women with a past" for a character with
which Mr.. Benson hadsftted her like glove
to hand. marked a heightening. not only
OF the pleasure which she is able to give
the public. but OF her whole artistic
prestige"
THE Burgomaster" will have two per-
formances at English's to-day. Another
Chicago musical comedy will be on view
at this theater the first half OF next week.
II Is '"The Storks," which has been runninp
In Chicago all summer. Seats also may be
purchased now for performances of "Be-
yond Pardon" a new drama. by a company
that includes Miss Lavinia Shannon. al
English's on Friday and Saturday OF next
week.
More business has been offered TO the
Park Theater this week than It has been
able to handle. But the folks from the