The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-22
The Vaudeville at the Grand.

It is a good thing for the vaudeville bill
at the Grand this week that it has the lit
tie playlet, "a Soldier of Propville,'' and
the impersonator, Julius Tanner, to give it
some dignity; otherwise the audiences
would be surfeited with songs, dances and
nonsense before the conclusion of the per-
Torrance. There is much that is enjoyable
in some of the nonsensical contributions,
but there is almost too much of the same
sort of material to make up an evenly bal
anced programme of varieties.
The best attraction on the bill is the lit
tie stage story about Propville, written
by ST U. Collins, Detroit newspaper man.
and acted in admirable style by Mr.. and
Mrs. Edward Esmonde. This fragmentary
drama was given at the Grand last season
by its present interpreters and was well
coined that time as one of the best vaude-
vile sketches ever seen in Indianapolis.
1t is well worth witnessing a second time,
for the little piece tells an interesting story
and is full of both humor and pathos. Mr..
Esmonde again presents a finished char
acter study in the role of the old soldier
who has lost his memory and Mrs. Es-
monde is excellent in the part of a news
paper woman who is working up a story
for her paper, only to find that the curious
old fellow whom she has come to Propville
to write up is her own father. The play
let was warmly received at both perform
ances yesterday, meeting with the appre-
citation that it deserved.
A bright spot in the programme is the
first professional appearance in his own
home OF julius Tanner, an Indianapolis
man, who bids fair to win unusual distinc-
ton as a character illustrator and mimic.
Young Mr.. Tannen-he is not more than
twenty-hve-haS been on the stage only q
few months, but his work has already at
tracted more than the usual amount of at
tention from vaudeville managers and it
will be but g. question of a short time until
he will be regarded a firSt-class head
liner" His performance is Of special value
because 1t gets away from the common
place. He is more of a drawing room enter
tanner than the conventional single spe-
cialty man. of vaudeville and his conscien-
tious portrayals of celebrated actors, as
they appear when making curtain speech
of the good taste shown by him in present
ing them He Is really a valuable addition
to the vaudeville stage.
Duffy, Sawtelle and Duffy offer a ridicu-
lous sketch called "Papa's Sweetheart" In
which the smaller Duffy--a boy of about
twelve years-is the principal feature. In
deed, If it were not for the ability of the
little chap as a comedian, singer and
| dancer the turn would fall pretty fat. He
carries the specially to moderate degree
| of success on his small shoulders, and the
a
woman. share in the glory won by their
juvenile associate. Lloyd and Lillian, last
seen in this city with the Reilly and Woods
show at the Park, give a grotesque Juggling
| act that is very good in its way, and the
| male participant in the sketch provokes
laughter with some comical costumes and
stage properties Hines and Remington
appear on the bill i'm their familiar special
ty, Miss Patter of Patterson"-a hodge
podge of idiotic foolery that makes an audi
ence laugh in spite of itself. Miss Reming-
| ton is such a clever comedienne that one
wonders why she wastes times with such a
| poorly prepared act.
Frank Fisher and Gladys Clark were
| loudly applauded upon their first appear
| ance at yesterdays matinee, for many OF
| the auditors remembered the misfortunes
which beset this team when they were last
| in indianapolis, and wanted to show the
| two performers that they were not for
gotten. Mr.. Fishers former visit to this
| city was spent in hospital, as he was
| taken with a severe illness on the occasion
OF his initial performance. He Is now Civ.
| ing his acrobatic act in his old-time form
and his wife-or Miss Clarke, as she is
| billed-is the same bright little singer anC
dancer that she was on the occasion of hel
| first engagement here. Kelly and Violetts
| are old-time favorites at the Grand, and
| their singing will be popular Throughout
| the week, as IL was at yesterdays perform
ances. Mr.. Kelly's powerful baritone voice
| is heard in some new songs, and Miss Vio
| lette looks charming in her handsome
gowns Fox and Foxie, down on the pro-
gramme as comedians and dancers" prove
| to be heavy weight clown and thought
| full little dog. The clown juggles many
| his turn, performs a few clever feats OF
| his own, thinking hard, apparently, as HI
| goes through his routine. If Foxie could
voice his sentiments the chances are ten tC
| one that he would say he hated vaude
| Vile. The bioscope has a new series OF
good moving pictures.