The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-11
NEWS OF THE THEATERS
AN UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE OF "THE
LADY OF LYONS"
Mary Mannering Pauline, KyrIe
BeIIew rs Claude and w. III.
Thompson as DeschappeIIes.

English's was opened last evening, a
month after its regular season had closed,
for the purpose of increasing the prestige
in this city of Miss Mary Mannering by
showing her attended by several actors
whose services are so costly that 10 group
them was an extraordinary feat. The
scheme has been used by other enterprising
and prosperous promoters of theatrical en-
tertainment and is practically known as
''the special production" 1t usually ap-
pears when a winter season has just ended.
for only then are the more popular players
at liberty from their diverse engagements.
In Miss Mannerings company were Kyrle
Bellew. Edwin Arden. W. II. Thompson,
Edward Abeles, Mrs. w. G.. Jones and Miss
Kate Patison-Selten. Mr.. Bellew played in
a dramatization of Stanley Weyman's "A
Gentleman of France in Chicago and New
York last season; Mr.. Thompson was here
last fall with Miss Annie Russell in Robert
Marshalls "A Royal Family" the others
are almost as we'll known to the local fire.
quenters Of the theater
The play was the old melodrama of Bull
wer-Lytton, 1.-The Lady of Lyons" which
has been so long preserved that il has be-
come a classic and the public is supposed
to have a reverence for It. The special
production" regularly is of a classic, for so
is the exploited star" given a more sub
stantial, scholarly hold upon the esteem of
the populace. That, at least. is the inten-
tiOn-itS success is a matter of individual
opinion. The Lady of Lyons" goes a long
way around-as was the style when it was
written-to display proud, high-bred
woman betrayed by the man whom she
loves. later discovering that in fact he is
Of n oil r. kI,f1 v,ol
ly finding happiness as his wife.
The old play still has one fine moment.
Pauline Deschappelles is married to Claude
Melnotte, poet, but the son OF a gardener,
under the Misrepresentation that he is 1.-The
Prince of Como" MelnotteS motive is to
get revenge for the girls having insulted
him when he offered her his lowly love. He
takes her to his mothers cottage and ex-
poses his trick to her. The first storm past,
his mother escorts the girl to her chamber
with Claude's assurance that in the morn
ing she shall go back to her father the
maiden that she left him. When morning
comes she feels that shame has not burned
out her love for Melnotte, and she exalts
the old peasant woman and herself by call
ing "Motheri" to her in loving protest
against her suffering for her sons misdeed.
There is vitality in that incident, and 1t
shines as a gem in an assembly of gaudy
fustian. In his gentle, poignant revelation
Of emotion Miss Mannering was at her
best. 1t was at such work that she first
gained the admiration of the judcious. She
in Paulines violent scene with Melnotte;
there she shouted deafeningly and signified
nothing.
Mr.. Bellevue risk effeminacy-was not
less than beautiful. He exhibited voluptu-
Gus bodily curves and the face of a pretty,
healthy boy. The curls of a silken brown
wig clustered at his temples and at the
back of his neck. Each stride, gesture,
glance and tone of voice properly
measured, and when Melnotte described to
the enraptured Pauline the enhancing
palace of Como" Mr.. Bellows artifice was
almost inspiring. He has been thus giving
pleasure for many years, and when he will
have ceased ii is improbable that he will
have a successor. There is a better way
and the world is gradually discovering it.
Mr.. Thompson is one of the best of the
Englsh-speaking actors, but in the part of
Pauline's father there was little oppOrtu-
nifty for a view of his fine seriousness and
depth of emotional understanding, which
he has in something of the same manner
as old Mr.. Stoddart. Mr. Arden gave a
cynical Beauseant and one as credible as
the dramatst will permit. Edward Abeles
was CLAWS, Mrs. Jones the widow Melnotte
and Miss Patison-Selten the mother of
Pauline Maclyn Arbuckle made a great
deal of noise as Damas The stage settings
were handsome and massive.