The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-21
east Lynne, at the Park.

East Lynne" the famous old emotional
play of English life, was presented at the
Park yesterday afternoon and last night
before overlooking audiences. The play is
being revived in elaborate style by j. Frazer,
Crosby, and although seen at the Park time
and again, yesterdays audiences seemed
greatly interested in the sad story that it
has to tell and to thoroughly appreciate the
production.
Miss Inez Forman, an emotional actress,
who has had considerable experience in
portraying roles that call for intense acting,
Is the heroine of the play-the foolish, jeal-
ous-natured woman who seems only too will
ing to allow a trouble-maker of her own sex
to interfere with her domestic happiness.
Miss Forman may not have been at her best
yesterday, as she acting under great
strain, having received word just before the
beginning of the matinee performance Of the
critical illness of her mother in Denver.
Despite the sad news. which weighed heav-
lily upon her, she gave good portrayal of
Lady Isabel, and won the sympathy of the
audience In the closing scenes of the play.
East Lynne" Is a fearful play from the
start to the finish. There is little vein
of comedy running through it, but the domi-
nant chord Is a minor one. 1t is an old
fashioned drama-old-fashioned in its story
and in it's construction, and the present
company is all the more deserving of credit
on this account, for the players succeed in
holding the interest of the audience through
out, giving the piece, in fact about the best
presentation that Ii has ever received in
popular price theater. The players are all
equal to the requirements Of their parts,
and several of them are unusually capable.
The leading male members of the company
good looking, and, what is even more
to the point, they wear their dress suits
as If they were accustomed to them-a thing
worthy of special notice, when one recalls
some of the other popular price productions
of the same old play.
e Gall
mont s. Barkand, is the handsomest hero
seen at the Park in many a day, and he
acts the role of Archibald Carlyle intelli-
gently and gracefully. He Is the sort of
actor who could easily become a great
matinee favorite," and doubtless he will
attract more than ordinary attention among
the plays engagement And If East Lynne
has the handsomest hero of the season it
also may boast of the best looking and
most finished william. The role of the wicked
man of the story is played by j. Frazier
Crosby, jr., the manager of the company,
although his name Is down on the pro-
gramme as Edwin Babcock. Mr.. Crosby is
a very good actor and he handles the part
of Sir Francis Levison with noteworthy
skill. John Dillon. one of the veteran COM
edians of the American stage-an actor
who formerly played with the Frohman
companies and who is now returning to the
stage after several years absence-appears
in the small comedy role of a servant at
the old English country home of East
Lynne, and he makes the most of every
opportunity. The part of the scheming
trouble-maker of the play, Barbara Hare. is
well taken by Miss Nellie Atherton, and the
character Of the spinster. Cornelia Carlyle,
is interpreted by Miss Rowena Medina in
excellent style. The minor parts are in good
hands and the piece Is staged in a pleasing
manner East Lynne" will continue at the
Park during the rest of the week, with the
usual matinees, and will doubtless draw
women-for 1T is essentially a woman's
play.