The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-27
Rose CoghIan's Performance.

The readvent OF the society drama, '"The
Greatest Thing in the World" at English's
yesterday afternoon and evening, with
Rose Coghlan in the role made famous by
Mrs. lie Moyne was warmly welcomed
event ard there was sign of a falling off
in popular interest, despite the fact that
the play Is now in its fourth season. There
were large audiences present at both per-
formances, and, although there is almost
no dramatic action in the piece, the close
attention Of the spectators at the two pre-
ssntations was held from first to last.
The play is entirely conversational and
unless Interpreted by a competent company
could not prove successful. The present
company, while weak in spots, was salts
factory on the whole. 1t Is scarcely need
full at this time to dwell at length upon the
play itself. as the story it has to tell is
familiar to most theatergoers. 1t is we'll
told story of a mothers love for her two
sons and her self-sacrifice for the sake of
the elder Of them-a morally weak young
fellow, who all but ruins her life well as
his own. A wholesome play 1t IS calling
for pretty sentiment, maternal devotion,
some rather long-drawn-out dialogue and
only one dramatic climax.
Miss Coghlan does not follow in the foot
steps of her predecessor, Mrs. LIE Moyne,
but portrays the role OF Virginia Bryant
said at once that Miss Coghlan's interpre-
tation proved In every way a very artistic
one. for though her methods differ from
those OF the other actress, they are none
the less convincing. She has made a care
full study of the character which she as
sumes and at yesterdays performances dis
q high order OF merit-intelligent refined
and always impressive. When the climax
OF her erring sons misdoings was reached.
and the fond mother was compelled to hide
the boys degradation with a Woman's skill
the actress rose to fine dramatic height
and wen sincere applause from her audi
ence. Her facial expression, with its sug-
gestion OF repressed emotion. was the work
OF true artist This Is a scene that would
be overacted nine times out of ten. but
Miss Ceghian never for moment resorted
TO familiar theatrical expedents.
Next to the performance of the star the
best work Of the company was done by
Sidney Irving In the disagreeable part Of
the scapegrace son, Cecil The character
Is one that most actors would hesitate to
undertake.. 1t repels sympathy and--what
Is worse. from the players standpoint-af-
lords very little opportunity for effective
acting. And yet Mr.. Irving played IL we'll
better than most actors could have played
It. He made the role seem natural and
showed much discretion in the reading of
the lines Fred c. House. as the Younger
son, Harold. went in too much for farcical
playing The character was apparently in
the amusement Of the piece. but hardly in
tended to be interpreted as such a brainless
youngster as Mr. House insisted upon MAX
Walker NJ. bennett was somewhat stiff
but otherwise acceptable, In the role Of
Geofry Townsend. while Louis Shea was
Farland- Margaret Oils gave a fairly good
performance of the part OF Helen McFar-
land: Paula Gloy made the most of the
ingenue role OF Madge and all of the minor
characters were in competent hands. The
play was well mounted and the stage man
agement excellent