The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

There Will be only two attractions at Eng
iishs this week. but both will be theatrical
events of more than passing interest. The
stars who are to shine in the city's leading
playhouse are Elita Proctor Otis. an emo
tional actress of wide reputation. whose
girlhood was spent in Indianapolis, and
Robert Edeson. one of the best of young
romantic actors on the American stage.
The engagement of Miss Otis is for to-
morrow and Tuesday evenings, and her APP
pearance in this. her home city. is made all
the more interesting because of the fact
tAat she and her carefully-selected support
ing company will enact a drama that has
been discussed in New York this year more
than any other play presented in the met
ropolis-Henrik Ibsens "Hedda Gabler.
That distinguished actress Mrs Fiske, is
among those who consider Ibsen the fore
most dramatist of the world. and when she
gave "Hedda Gabler" an elaborate prOduc-
ton at special matinees during her run at
the Manhattan Theater in MARY of Mag
dalA' she succeeded in convincing many
critics that she right in her belief.
while other critics held that, although there
was no denying the genius Of the great
Norwegian poet. the weird stage stories
that he had to tell were too puzzling to be
accepted by the general theater-going pub
lie.
However. the general theater-going pub
ltc or New York went TO see Mrs. Fiske's
presentation of the strange play, and Elita
same encouragement since the opening of
her present road tour a few weeks ago. 1t
IS true that there was a time when Amer
lean playgoers refused TO become Interested
In Ibsen, but that time seems 10 have
passed away. AS all well-pOsted readers
know, Mary Shaw has been wonderfully sue
-n@a - 1~~.f- ~. .F
Ghosts. which was seen in this city early
in the season. and which opened the eyes
OF many regular theater patrons as to the
possibilities of an Ibsen drama.
Miss Otis Is very capable actress, and
should be well suited TO the part of Hedda,
although il is far different from any role
that she has ever played before in all her
career. But those who recall her strikingly
good performance of Nancy Sykes in oil
Yer Twist several years ago and her splen-
did portrayal of the adventures in sport
ing Life. well several other excellent
eharacterizations, feel that they may well
lcok forward to an adequate Interpretation
OF this peculiar Ibsen woman. Miss Otis is
being managed by George Brennan. who
Is also the director of Mary Shaw's tour
IN Ghosts and who understands exactly
what Is needed for the proper production Of
an Ibsen play. Mr.. Brennan has surround
ed his star with such well-knOwn players
as Donald Robertson. Marion Ashworth,
Woodford Lucas. Laura Palmer and Anna
Titus.
The plot of 'Hedda Gabler" tells the life
unfortunate love affair and has subse-
Quently married a dullish professor out of
pure caprice. The girls former lover re-
turns at time when she Is thoroughly
bored with her new surroundings But
instead of being an unattached knight, he
Is the companion of another woman, who,
by the way, has inspired him to the writ
tng OF great book. Hedda Gabler. jealous
OF the couples happiness, plans a revenge.
This revenge takes an extraordinary
form She causes her former sweetheart to
return to his old ways of dissipation, and
then, after he has lost the Mss. of his great
book she obtains IL and burns 1t up. Her
exquisite cruelty separates the couple
whom she has marked out with her hate.
and sends Ebert Loveberg, the man, to his
destruction. In the final act the woe she
has visited on Loyeberg returns upon her
self. Caught In the web of her own crimes,
she dies rather than yield her soul and body
10 one who has guessed, or half guessed,
The drama should be seen by all lovers
OF true dramatic art and its presentation.
II all promises are fulfilled, will be a most
Robert Blossoms engagement at English's
Il for Wednesday afternoon and evening,
and he returns to Indianapolis in a drama
tization OF Richard Harding Davis's popular
novel, Soldiers OF Fortune" This play
was presented here once before by Mr..
Edeson, and the audiences upon that occa-
sion were not as large as they should have
been. 1t not until after the player
and his play had departed that local the
ater-goers who stayed away from the the
alter realized that they had missed a good
thing" Mr.. Edeson has enjoyed great pop
ularfty with Soldiers OF Fortune in other
cities, and Indianapolis will now have an
other chance TO view the piece.
Augustus Thomas prepared the stage YER
sion OF the story, and everything that this
excellent dramaust does is well done. The
plot has TO deal with revolutionary up
rising IN the republic of blanche. South
America, and shows how young American
fortune-seeker. Robert Clay. manages TO
brook the progress of the revolution and at
the same time win the heart of the girl he
loves. The episodes follow each other nat
! prally. and are perfectly clear in their bear
fng on the plot. The revolutionary interest
Is worked up gradually until IL eliminates
IN a very thrilling climax at the end of the
third act. where the rebellion breaks out.
The South American setting and atmos-
phere lend 10 the play much romantic
charm.
Robert Edeson made his debut as a star
IN this play. after appearing leading man
FOR many OF the most prominent actresses
or the American stage, and won high de-
gree OF favor from the very first perform
ence. The dramatist has not given all of
the opportunities to the star, but has in
vested the other roles with many salient
points of interest That they are in capable
hands Is evidenced by the names OF the
players In the supporting company. which
includes Harry HARDWOOD, Ellen Berg Edwin
Brandt. Helen Ware, L. W. Morrison. Dor
ethy Tenant. Frazer Coulter, Horace W.
Raulson. Richard Sterling. Taylor Holmes
Macy Harlem and Byron Ongley.