The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-03
The Vaudeville at the Grand.

The Grand's patrons turned out in large
numbers yesterday at both performances
to witness the new vaudeville bill for the
week If they had anticipated. from scan
ming the advance notices, an unusually
excellent programme they were not dsap-
pointed, as it is fact that nothing bet
ter in the way of entertaining vaudeville
has been seen in Indianapolis for several
weeks. Acrobatics again top the list of
specialties and not since the Nelson's were
at the Grand has such wonderful gymnaS
tic and athletic acts been seen on the stage
of the theater as that given by the five Des
bats now before the public that 1t Is sur
prising to witness an acrobatic perform
ance that has any novelty in 1T. But the
five Des Luccas seem to begin where most
of their contemporaries leave off, for their
exhibition is a marvellous one. The young
est of the troupe, known in circus par
lance as the top mounter, never throws
the ordinary somersaults through the air
when being whirled from the shoulders of
one of his brothers to those of another,
but succeeds in accomplishing series of
twisting evolutions that are truly astonish-
ing to see. Even those theatergoers who
are tired of acrobatic acts will find much in
this one to interest them.
There are two sketches on the BILL both
of them acted by clever comedians, but
neither sketch worthy of the star appear
ing in 1t. However, entertainment may be
ence yesterday afternoon seemed to enjoy
them. Frank keenan, is really sadly out
of place in a dress suit and portraying the
role of young husband. He is so much
better as a character comedian that il is
strange he should not stick to the line of
parts in which he first became prominent
He is assisted in his sketch by Miss Dean
Edsall, who wrote the piece. The sketch
is well acted. but has poor sort of plot
and is too long drawn out. Mark Murphy
an old favorite here. is playing his "Sev-
enth Son." with the able help of Mrs. Mark
Murphy. The farce Is not as good as the
other one played by this team. although it
gives the comedian a chance to depict
his type of IriShman. Murphy's work is
entirely free from burlesque: his Irishman
Is just the sort one often meets i'm every
day life and it is rather amazing that the
Order of Hibernians in Utica, N. Y, should
have objected to his work on the grounds
that his impersonation gave offense. Mrs
Murphy has good voice, but the songs she
sings hardly serve TO show it to its best
advantage.
One of the brightest spots on the bill
is the singing of Miss Sophie Burnham. AS
often happens in vaudeville programme,
a most meritorious performer was neglected
in the advertising announcements, for Miss
Burnhams name appears in small letters
on the Grand's current Autographs 1t will
not be long until she has made reputa-
ton, if her work of yesterday was any
criterion. She is OF modest. unassuming
stage presence. but she can sing. Her
sweet, pure soprano voice is by long odds
the best heard at the Grand in many day.
Another pleasing singer is Mr. Gladish of
the team of Werden and Gladish, who give
an illustrated song act that is vastly SUI
perior TO most specialties of this sort. The
views. prepared by Mr.. Weroen and shown
by him on a white satin curtain are the
most beautiful ever exhibited in song
turn. But the selection of songs does not
show good judgment. One of the numbers.
would-be pathetic ballad about a fright
fully unlucky child. burdened from the
cradle with the name of 'Dollie Drift
wood is almost enough TO spoil the whole
speciality. A more insane set of words
never written.
The now well-known act of the Beaux
and Bellies octet continues TO please. 1t
has been prettily put together, and al
though there are no singers of much ability
among the eight men and women, they all
present an attractive appearance and their
dances are done gracefully. While the
novelty of IL has worn off, IL Is still an en-
PERTAINING speciality. James j. Morton is
the moneloguist this week, and he made a
hit yesterday with his jokes, stories and
songs, some of which are very funny and
others merely childish I'm their humor He
has an original style that soon starts his
audience laughing and he manages to
keep the laughter going all of the time he
is on the stage. Miller and Kresko. two
black-face singers and dancers, contribute
a rag-time act of the old Montgomery and
Stone order. and IL is well done The bio
scope has a number of splendid new NOV
ing pictures.