The Indianapolis journal., 1903-10-03

The popular rural play, Way Down
East."-the best OF all plays of its class
pleased another good-sized audience last
Eight at English's. If the story of the
piece Is somewhat conventional, it is so
simply and directly told, and its pathos and
humor so natural and unrestrained that It's
lack OF originality is never noticed by the
interested audience. Miss Phoebe Davies
continues TO give an excellent impersona-
ton Of Anna Moore. the unfortunate hero
ir despite the fact that the actress her
sc declares that she is heartily sick OF
IN character. 81 have played IL so many
hundreds of times that often wonder how
1 aisi 10 get through an evenings perform
ance." she said the other day to a friend in
this city: Before / go on the stage in
my opening scene sometimes feel that L
simply can't struggle through the MOURN
ful role-for you know 1t is nearly all tears
from beginning to end-but when / am once
before an audience and speaking my lines
my interest In the character seems to re-
vtve and suppose that my artistic instinct
saves me from acting the part poorly. But
] shall be mighty glad, l can assure you,
will be a matinee and evening performance
Of Way Down East to-day. these two
presentations concluding the engagement
The last two performances Of "The Ped
dler'' will be given at the Park to-day. The
play Is drawing very large audiences, and
Joe Welch Is scoring a pronounced hit in
his characterization Of the Jewish second
hand man, whose sympathetic nature in
duces him TO adopt an unfortunate little
blind girl who has been deserted by her un-
feeling mother. There are some good points
in the play, although the author has given
too much attention TO the melodramatic
features to write a consistent stage story.
Mr. Welch Is TO be seen in another play
next season. II is understood, and one that
has been thoughtfully prepared. He de-.
serves frst-class vehicle, for next to
David warfeld, he is the best delineator
of the Polish Jew on the American stage.
and his present work shows him to be more
former appearances In vaudeville The
Parks next attraction will be THE Funny
MI Dooley, a bright musical farce COM
edy which comes Monday for half weeks
engagement.
The current vaudeville programme at the
Grand will be given this afternoon ard
evening for the last times. The show is a
good one. and those theater-goers who have
not yet witnessed 1t should attend to-
days performances. The Grand will offer
its patrons quite formidable array of
will be the chief attraction with his sun
porting company OF five players, presenting
little play called "Shipmates." which
rsa mas Won Fvs MnSss as, as ,y very artistic
:
VIII be seen once more in her original spe-
cialty. which Is full OF surprises Her
lightning changes OF costume are said to
be even more astonishing than when she
was last seen here Other well-known per-
formers In the entertainment will be fnez
Mscusker. the prima donna soprano; Smith
ley and Jarvis, comedians; Marvellous
Frank, q European athlete and gymnast
and McCue and Cahill. In farcical sketch
rnA
Ensiish's next Monday and Tuesday nights
promises to be one Of the most important
events Of the local dramatic season. 1t
10 said that the new Pinero play, Iris -
which was her great success of last sea-
until midwinter, Is a wonderful drama as
70 lis story. Its construction and its literary
The drama will be given here lust as it
was presented In New York with Just two
changes In the cast Henry Jewett. fine
Maldanado instead of Oscar Asche. the
English actor who created the role. but Mr..
Jewett's Interpretation is said to be equal
10 that OF MS predecessor. The other
change Is an unimportant one. The drama
te given IN splendid scenic environment by
Mr.. Frohman-
A German company played Matterlinck,s
masterpiece. -Monna Wanna" In Chicago
the Otnef nisnt anu one OF BIanch WalShS
managers, VINO understands German. was
90 impressed witE the part OF Colonna. the
woman who offers TO save her town by
making any sacrifice the invaders ask that
he hurried back To McVicker's Theater.
where Miss Walsh is now playing I'm 'sThe
Resurrection. and told her that she could
have the play IL she wanted 10 act Il I'm
English. no matter how much IL might
cost TO secure IL Miss Walsh sent out for
an English translation and read Ii between
the acts OF her performance. She has not
yet made up her mind whether she will
attempt the part
Richard Mansfield will dedicate the new
Lyric Theater In New York week from