The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-14


Grace George In pretty Peggy"
For pleasant evening at the theater,
Pretty Peggy" the new Peg Wellington
play, in which Grace George appeared at
English's last night before a large audi
ence. is to be commended. But If one wants
to enjoy this stage diversion, written by
Frances Aymar Matthews. one must look
upon it merely as a light and airy enter
tainment and not as drama for which any
unusual merit may be claimed. Technical
ly, it Is poor play; 1t is badly constructed
and at times somewhat amateurish, and
were il not for the splendid mounting which
Manager Brady has given il, the piece
would probably prove rather disappointing
despite the fact that it contains some
bright lines and several good scenes. The
audience last night did not appear to DE
bothered in the least over the obvious faults
in dramatic composition. and as the play
ers were accepted for what they were
worth-and most of them were worth
good deal-considerable entertainment was
derived from the performance.
There have been many riot scenes on the
stage, but none that has been put on in SO
artistic fashion as that which takes place
manner in which il is brought about NAV o.
termed bit of theatrical trickery, lying
outside the province OF a dramatist's le-
Ultimate resources, but. for all that, the
scene adds much interest to the entertain
ment and sends the spectators away i'm a
happy frame Of mind busily talking over
the innovation which has just caused them
so much amusement. This is the way the
riot comes about: play in the Covent
Garden Theater, London, where Peg Wof-
nngton Is acting, is to be- preceded by a
canoe performed by some French ballet
girls. AS England is ION the outs with
France, as usual, popular sentiment is
against all things that hint of the country
across the channel, and when the French
dancers come upon the stage, men in white
wigs and women in elegant satins sudden
~ make their appearance In the audience
ttne real audienee) crying at the top of
Thus Englishs Opera House of the twen-
tieth century becomes transformed int
the Covent Garden Theater of the eight
eentn century. These characters in the
play. who are for the moment supposed to
be in the auditorium of the old London
playhouse, rush down the aisles OF our own
Englisn Sand what terribly indignant
state or mind they are in. to be sure. Then
does Peggy come forth on the stage TO the
edge OF the footlights and make an earnest
Appel na2s;d that brings them to their senses
Eva Sorrel, are sitting in a stage box, and
tney, TOO, take part in the tumultuous
scene seei1s; Inc chap who has caused i'll the
trouble is hustled out of the theater and
quietly got rid OF. and then the play moves
along smoothly To its conclusion
The story OF Pretty Peggy" leaving ont
all OF It's unnecessary episodes-and there
are quite number of them-may be told
In very few words, for IL is sinpIe
enough Peggy trst makes her appearance
at circus In Dublin, and IL is there that
she meets David Garrick. who induces her
10 go 10 London, there TO take a position
as an actress at the Covent Garden The
alter. Sir Charles Harbury, who is i'm love
with Peggy. opposes this plan but Csarrict~
wins favor in the eyes of the pretty Irish
e1rl, and she consents to take his advice
giving poor Harbury the mitten. Garrick
makes love TO her himself and she prom
ises TO become his wife. On the day set
Tor their marriage Peggy receives a visit
from Eva Sorrel. who tells her that the
celebrated "Davy" has been her own lover
Tor long time and has been guilty of
lnndellty. Then comes an emotional scene
between Peggy and the amorous Garrick,
IN which the Wellington as she has come