The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-17


PARK-"The Charity Nurse" 2 and s
Observation-Disclosures. 2 and s p. m.
UNIQUE-Vaudeville, 3 and 5 p. m.
Robert Edeson in "SoIdiers Of For
tune.o
SOLDIERS of Fortune leaped into view
at English's last night for the second time
in indianapolis, in the play of that title. and
by their fearlessness in times of peril, the
valor Of their deeds and their gallantry to-
ward the fair sex won the enthusiastic adj
miration of a large audience. The play
and the players scored a genuine hit, but
Robert Edeson, the star, Is very greatly
indebted to that clever dramatist, Angus
tus Thomas, who made the stage adapta-
ton from the novel by Richard Harding
Davis. Not that the novel is not a good
kone-for it is-but because the story would
have become the cheapest sort of melo-
drama if 1t had been prepared for the stage
by other than a writer who was thoroughly
capable and who knew exactly what to
put into it and what to leave out.
And if Edeson is under obligations to
Thomas for having done the work of DRAM
atization so well. Thomas. for his part, may
be thankful that his play is in the compe-
tent hands of Edeson. With all the wit
in the dialogue and the cleverness In the
construction of the piece, there are occa-
| SlODdl CcIc uIdWn lTOIn II DOOk, l1dI
would cause an audience to laugh In spite
of itself were the said scenes not so well
acted. For instance, at one point in the
play the big ruffianly leader in the little
South American revolution puts in an ap-
pearance with a company of soldiers who
are armed with all sorts of deadly weap-
0ns, and declares that the hero is to be shot.
The hero is altogether helpless in the hands
of the enemy at the time. But what does
he say. to the threat? Why. he answers.
without a tremOr: Rubbish"
AT moments such as this the NAV trem-
bles on the brink of lurid and illogical melo-
drama of the kind one witnesses at the
cheap theaters. But Robert Edeson is a
good actor of heroic parts, and instead of
laughing at his portrayal of Robert Clay,
the audience feels a tremendous interest
in the young American and even finds itself
in almost breathlesS suspense whenever he
gets into trouble from which there seems
no hope of escape. The story follows the
book in most particulars, but, as before
mentioned, 1t has been deftly rearranged
by Mr.. Thomas for dramatic purposes. The
principal change is In the love interest, the
play depending for its chief theme upon the
Langdon, while the elder sister, who is so
prominent in the novel, is not of any great
importance in the stage version. Aside from
the love interest, the tale has to deal with
American enterprise trying to open South
American riches for the worlds benefit.
rebeliions which crop up with Wonderful
regularity down there In the tropics.
Mr.. Edeson has been playing the part OF
Il the DOylSn nero TOT three Seasons, Out Sui
enacts the role with much spirit and sim
certify, although he seemed rather self
conscious at times last night. However.
his splendid voice, his effectiveness in the
sentimental passages and his authoritative
way of carrying an important scene
through to a successful conclusion won
tor him the strong approval of the audi
ence and he was applauded SO vociferously
after the stirring climax at the end OF the
third act that he was compelled TO respond
with a brief and ell-word speech of
4 thanks. I'm which he explained that Sol
diers of Fortune" was soon to be laid aside
in favor of another play and that he hoped
to be as we'll received when he returned to
Indianapolis in the new piece.
The stars support was excellent in nearly
every particular. His wife, Ellen Burg,
was a deliciously naive little heroine and
was especially good in the love scenes,
while Dorothy Tenant, in the character of
her elder sister, portrayed a cold and
Helen Ware looked and acted the role of
Madame Alvarez well night perfectly. An
enjoyable characterization was given by
Harry HARDWOOD as McWilliams; Macy
Harlan did commendabie work in the melo-
dramatic role of Captain Stewart, the Eng
fish soldier of fortune; Sidney Ainsworth as
Reginald King Frazier Coulter as Mr..
Langham and Richard Sterling as Teddy
were all good in their respective parts, and
the numerous smaller roles were in COM
petent hands.
The play was handsomely mounted. a
series of atmospheric stage settings greatly
enhancing the effect of the story. The en-
gagement was for last night only.
X X
The Grand will have one of the most
original funmakers on the vaudeville stage
at the head of it's bill Christmas week.
Charles T. Aldrich, the comedian in ques-
ton, was seen in indianapolis several years
ago with a big vaudeville combination that
appeared at the Park, and at that time
he made a big hit. Since then, however,
he has improved his act in SO many ways
that 1t is almost an entirely new speciality,
and has played long engagements in the
European vaudeville theaters with the most
pronounced success. In fact, in London
he is considered the most amusing of al!
American vaudeville entertainers. He is
a jugglec, a magician and an impersonator,
but above all he Is a grotesque comedian,
who can keep an audience roaring with
time he is on the stage. This weeks bill
at the Grand contains many enjoyable fea-
lures and is attracting well-pleased au-
diences.
The Bostonians are to present their two
most successful operas when they come
to English's next week-"Robin Hood and
"The Serenade." Messrs Barnabee and Nc
Donald, who are still at the head of the
famous musical organization, think that In
dianapolis theater-goers would rather at
tend performances of those two popular
operas than to go to hear some of the
new ones. Both pieces nave always been
great favorites in this city and Mr.. Barna-
bee declares that none of the later operas
they have produced are so pretty and tune
full. Robin Hood" will be the bill for the
matinee on Christmas day, on the opening
Of the engagement, and ''The Serenade'
will be sung Christmas evening. On the
following day Saturday this order will
be reversed, The Serenade" being sung at
the afternoon performance and Robin
Hood" at night.
''The Charity Nurse" which was seen al
the Park last season. comes this afternoon
for an engagement of three days with an
other player at the head of the company.
She is Selma Herm a painstaking actress
who is one of the busiest women on the
stage. After a regular season on the road
she returns 10 Cincinnati each spring, where
she takes up work for the summer In one
of the stock companies. She has played
some important parts in high-grade plays
there and Cincinnati audiences are partic-
ularly fond of her. Her home Is In Toledo
where many of her plays have been pro.
duced.
The Park will give all of its time Christ
mas week to music and fun. 1.-THE Tele-
phone Girl with a company of nearly fifty
opening a three days engagement on mex
Monday afternoon. The Christmas day at