The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-27
AUDIENCE NOT LARGE
LOCAL PEOPLE HAD SEEN JULIA
MARLowE As MARY TUDOR.
Some Good Points in This Presenta-
ton of "When KnightwOOd
Was in Flower

The playgoers of Indianapolis have al
dramatic star. and the two audiences which
assembled at English's yesterday to wit
ness Roselle Knott's appearance in When
Knighthood Was in Flower were discour-
agingly small. The attendance at the mat
inee was the smallest of the season and
the evening audience was not much larger.
1t is Manager Frank L. Perleys intention,
in introducing Miss Knott as the central
figure in the stage version of Charles Ma
jor's romantic story. to avoid, as much as
possible booking his attraction in the cit
les where Julia Marlowe has been seen
in the play, and it is we'll that this Is So
for otherwise the tour would not be likely
to prove successful. indianapolis had seen
Miss Marlowe, great local favorite, in the
role of Mary Tudor, and the plain fact of
the matter is that local theatergoers did, not
want to see anybody else in the part.
1t can be said for Miss Knott that she
realized in many ways the requirements
of the character of Mary Tudor. But for
tendency to overact at times. her per-
Torrance would have been admirable. She
worked too hard-emphasized too strongly
the varying moods of the young princess.
In the earlier scenes of the play. when
Mary is supposed to be bubbling over with
her love of pleasure ana gayety, the ac-
tress was lacking in spontaneity; her mer-
riment and vivacity seemed forced and I'M
natural. But later on, in the love scenes
with Charles Brandon and in her moments
of deep emotion, she was excellent, al
though there was little too much exag-
geration in the bedroom scene when the
young princess flies into a rage upon being
commanded by her royal brother to wed
King Louis of France. Miss Knott depict
ed very skillfully Marys growing love for
Brandon, and the tender, touching scene in
the little inn, where, disguised as boy
Mary agrees to sacrifice her own happiness
that her lovers life may be saved, was
acted exquisitely. By her own beauty and
graceful stage presence the new star was
able to live up the physical requirements
of the part, and her performance, with It's
few faults, atoned in measure for the
other shortcomings of the production.
The supporting company, with but two
or three exceptions, was very inadequate
Frank l.. Sylvester did not impart distinc-
ton to the role of Charles Brandon; his
portrayal was not that Of a man who would
have dared to run away with the first
princess of the realm. His duel scene In
the first act, when Brandon Stays Sir Adam
Judson, we'll done, and gave promise
of spirited Interpretation of the part
a promise that was not fulfilled. Ogden
of the supporting players. His makeup
as the big, .animal-like monarch was good
and he presented fairly successful study
of the role The character of Sir Edwin
Caskoden was poorly acted by Richard
Sherman, and Herbert Forrest gave an un-
interesting representation OF the Duke
of Buckingham. Frederick Van Rensselaer,
was kept pretty busy during the perform
ance of the piece. He played three parts
in q somewhat heavy fashion, being most
successful in the character Of Francis
ID Angouleme.
There is little opportunity for the fem
mime characters of the play aside from the
leading one, and this was fortunate thing
at yesterdays performances, for, aside from
Miss Knott, there was scarcely a woman on
the stage who could really act. Maude
Claire Shaw as Lady Jane Bolinbrook.
Clara Everett as Queen Katherine, and
Anna Day as Mistress Ann Bolyn had
| little to do, but they appeared to find their
respective tasks rather difficult of fulfill
ment.
The play was we'll staged and handsomely
mounted The stage management of Mr..
Sylvester was better than his acting That
Miss Knott will eventually become very
popular star there can be scarcely a doubt.
Her present vehicle may not prove one
in which she will attain great success, but
her performance proves her fitness for stel-
lar honors. She should have a new play,
and one that is specially adapted to her
| talents rather than piece that has already
served as the success of two seasons of an
| other, and better-known actress.