The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-27
jane. o'Nein in "The Manxman.v


Another one of the many new dramatized
novels was seen at English's last night for
the first time in Indianapolis when James
O'Neill and his company enacted the stage
version of Hall Gaines novel,. 1.-THE Manx-
man." After witnessing the drama one
comes to the conclusion that, after all, 1t
is better not to read the story of a book
play just before witnessing the production,
for the simple reason that in reading the
book one forms his own opinion as to how
the characters should or should not be pre-
scented. The adapter cannot always use the
material found in the pages of a novel; no
matter how good it may seem. because it
cannot be made to fit logically into the dra-
matte version. Then. too. he is compelled to
draw upon his own Imagination in order
to make the situations follow each other as
naturally as possible during the several
stage pictures that he sets out to place on
view. With strict regard for truth 1t can
not be said that 1.-THE Manxman." in it's
dramatized version. is nearly so impressive
as 1.-The Manxman'' in book FORM In the
book the story develops so gradually and
the strong climax comes so naturally that
the reader is fairly carried away with the
power of il all. while in the play the story
seems even unnecessarily hurried. and much
or II Is rather uncOnV1ncfng.
This is the story as told in the play: Gaze
sar Cregeen. an inn keeper on the Isle of
Man. has a daughter. Kate, and Peter Quill
liam, his man OF all work, falls in love
with her But the father. who is a stern
old fellow with tendency to quote
compromising Scripture, wants Kate TO
marry Philip Christian. who not only comes
of a good family and is well-to-do, but who
bids fair TO become. in time. the deemster
of the little Manx village where the story
Is located. Pete, as he is called, feels that
1.-ee. IL -.
is ever to win Kate, and he resolves to seek
fortune in the diamond fields of South
Africa. In leaving the village ne begs his
old friend, Philip, 20 watch over and guard
but proves false friend, and. although he
has no intention OF marrying Kate. he
makes love TO her and wins her affection
and confidence. News has reached the viii
lage that Pete has died Of fever, but two
months later Pete comes home, bigger and
money. for his work in the diamond fields
has proved successful. Kate does not love
him. but. being Tilted by Philip, she mar
premely happy. but Kate is, OF course,
wretcbed. and when her baby comes. which
she knows is not her husbands. she runs
away from her home and goes 10 her old
lover FOR comfort The villagers see her de-
parting from Pete's cottage and at once
begin TO discuss the matter freely, good
villagers always do under such circum-
stances Pete VIII not admit that his wife
has deserted him, and in attempting t.
shield Kate he spreads the report that she
has gone TO Liverpool TO visit an uncle of
his Kate receives but little comfort from
Philip. whose time is now taken up with his
duties as deemster, and she returns to the
cottage steal away her child. when she
is confronted by her husband and 10 him
confesses all. Instead of killing Philip. as
his feelings prompt him to do at first, the
big-hearted Pete turns away again from
the home OF his boyhood leaving all that
has reen dear 10 him behind. with the guilty
wife and the faithless friend to work out
their own punishment.
That a work OF so somber a nature should
be received with interest and at times with
hearty applause speaks well for the acting
of Mr.. O'Neill and gives assurance that
the public's appreciation OF the more seri-
Gus stage diversions has not been alto
gether blunted by che frivolous and incon-
sequential plays that have so dominated
the stage of late. But 10 Is doubtful II
Mr. ONeili has really found the drama
which he has needed ever since he forsook
fse rcInatic heroes OF Dumas. His Dor