The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-27

fore them, which eagerness may possibly
rob them, in some measure, or the critical
sense"
Harrison Gray Fiske, manager of Mrs.
Fiske and editor of the Dramatic Mirror,
delivered interesting address before the
Art Students Club in New York the other
day. on the stage a profession for young
women. Mr.. Fiske noted that the young
women who seek the stage of two
classes, the first being of those who look
upon it as an easy means of livelihood. or
upon it an easy means of livelihood, or
class being those who are impelled to adopt
it by legitimate ambition and moved
by the natural instinct usual in those of
real talent. He said that the stage is not
so remunerative as is commonly supposed
by young women, and that to the average
aspirant it does not offer such pecunary
possibilities as are found in other business
directions now open to women. The merely
stage struck" he said, are often sufferers
from their own false ideas as to the life
of the theater and their ignorance of re-
qufrements and results makes them victims
of those who by false representations i'm
pose upon them in various ways. He said
that young women who go upon the stage
may preserve their ideals, although some
times the environment is not in accord with
those ideals. The requisites for success are
varied and eXacting, the field is overcrowded
and managers are harassed by the applica-
tions of many who have no call to the pro-
fession. The best school is the stage itself.
The best way for young woman TO start is
in a thinking part" where the novice
may get an opportunity to understudy and
where one may observe the creation of a
play from the beginning through rehearsals
10 performance. Thus one gets practical
ideas OF all the phases of the dramatic art
and If apt becomes the better qualified to
take up a modest part and progress. Mr..
F1ske said that in the theater of to-day
everything is specialized and therefore YER
satility, which formerly counted for much
on the stage, is now undesirable.
Few people know that Eddie Foy's real
name is Edwin Fitzgerald, and that the
clownish comedian, who was recently seen
in Indianapolis in the role of Sister Ann
in "Mr. Blue Beard" has cherished an am
hilton for long time to become a Shak-
Spearean actor. Particularly has Foy de-
sired to play the part of Touchstone in LAS
You Like It," and he fully expects to ap-
pear in this character some day-and to
make great success in it. Foy was born
in Limerick. Ireland, in 1860. This is the
native city also of Miss Ada Rehan, nee
Ada Crehan, and FOy has always COM
planned of the unkind fate that made Miss
Rehan a leading Shaksperean interpreter
and himself a comedian. Properly directed.
Foy insists he and Rehan might now be
conducting Joint starring tours in Shak-
spearean productions instead of having
rival plays in the same city. And what a
great team We would have made" says
Edwin.
David Belasco is undoubtedly the worlds
greatest stage manager. In his latest play,
Sweet Kittie Bellairs," now running in
New York he has introduced such a realis-
tic rainstorm in the last act that the audi
ence leaves the theater expecting to get wet
before reaching hcme. Belasco's effects are
! different from those of any other stage
manager and always vastly superior. Scenic
! effect is one of the things that must be
| studied in dramatic representation, and the
study may extend to what are apparently
| the most trivial items. Belasco has made a
| life study OF these effects and much of his
| success is due to his thorough knowledge of
the correct methods to employ in presenting
| stage pictures. His three latest plays. ''Du
Barry, The Darling of the Gods and
Sweet Kittie Bellairs," are all put on the
| stage in well-nigh flawless style.
| Alan Dale, the we'll known theatrical crit
ic the New York American, remarked
in his last Sundays review that Victor
| Herbert's and Glen MacDonough's THE
Babes in Toyland, beat any London
| Christmas pantomime of recent years; and
that while the piece was essentially con-
| structed TO afford amusement for the chill
| dren, there was not a moment in it which
| would not give exquisite pleasure to the
most jaded adult sensibilities. He COM
/ pared the piece to Hans Christian Ander-
sen sens Fairy Tales and to all the other, de-
Alan Dale is a discriminating man who
rarely runs to enthusiasm The Babes in
! Toyland' would be excused if they should
chance to get teeny-weeny bit of a
swelled head.
Next week will be one of considerable
| Importance at English's. Those excellent
| Shakspearean players, Ada Rehan and
! Otis Skinner. will come for a single per-
Torrance, Monday evening Jan. 4, of
Tanning of the Shrew' The popular COM
edian, Jerome Sykes, will play an en-
gagement of two nights, Jan. and 6. in
| his musical comedy, THE Millionaire. -
Charles Hawtry. the distinguished English
| actor, will be seen in the successful COM
edy. The Man from Blankley's," Thurs
| day night, Jan. T. Friday evening will be
dark at English's, and the popular must
| cal comedy. "Florodora," will come Satur-
| day FOR matinee and evening performance.
During the Christmas season thousands of
little children are employed in the panto-
mines which are produced at almost every
theater in England. There is no self
appointed inquisitorial organization, such
| as the one in New York, empowered to de-
| termine If these children shall or shall not
| appear upon the stage. But there are
| civic officers in the various cities whose
| duty 1t is to see that, although the young
sters in many instances help support their
parents and families. their education shall
not be retarded or delayed.
1t has been finally settled that Nine. Re-
| jane. the great French Coincidence, will