The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-27
THE WEEKS PLAY BILLS
AMELIA BINGHAM, WALTER JONES
AND SWAY DOWN EAST"
Coed Vaudeville mt the Grand-Two
Attractions at the Park-Burlesque
at the Empire.

There will be much variety about the
theatrical attractions in indianapolis this
week and the amusement-seeker who does
not care for a certain kind of entertain
ment can easily find something of a differ
ent sort. At English's there will be high
class comedy, adapted from the French. a
comic opera and pastoral play. The
comedy is ''The Frisky Mrs. Johnson with
Amelia Bingham and fine supporting
company TO enact IL. and it will be seen at
Elnglish's the first two nights of the week.
In its original French form this piece,
known as mime. Flirt,' ran for nearly two
years in Paris and was one of the most
successful comedies ever presented in that
gay city. 1t was the work of Gavault and
Berr, two slillfuI writers for the French
stage, and it was necessarily "Frenchy''
from start to hnish-so ''Frenchy'' in fact
that when Clyde Fitch made his adapta-
ton of IL he found it advisable to inject
many of his own ideas into it while retain
ing the original French flavor. 1t is under
stood that Mr.. Fitch has turned out in this
piece very bright comedy with some
weIl-drawn characters.
The plot of THE Frisky Mrs. Johnson
tells Of the self-sacrifice of the heroine TO
save the reputation of her sister and the
failure OF the plan. The end of the piece
Is said TO be very dramatic but a happy
conclusion to the story. Play-goers who
give attention to what is going on In theat-
rical life need not be told that Miss Bing-
ham is one or Americas best actresses and
that her associate players are always the
most capable actors and actresses TO be
secured. Unlike some stars. Miss Bingham
invariably surrounds herself with players
OF the first rank and whatever the play pre-
sented by Amelia Bingham and her COM
pany it Is sure to be well acted. Her lead
ing man is Wilton Lackaye, a finished
actor who is himself to become a star in
November, appearing in the dramatization
OF Frank Norris's powerful story. 1.-The
Pit" Mr. Lackaye has but two more weeks
with Miss Bingham and Indianapolis is
fortunate in seeing 1.-The Frisky Mrs. john
son" while he is with the company. Other
prominent players in the are w. l.
Arlington and Bijou Fernandez
Following Miss Bingham, Walter Jones.
the well-known comedian, will come to
Enslish's for a single performance wednes-
day evening OF brand new comic opera
srfhe Sleepy King" which had its. premier
who is great favorite in indianapolis, was
last seen here with Isadore witmark's
tuneful operetta. The Chaperones," in
for the last four five seasons been prom
inent in various comic operas and musical
comedies as principal comedian but this
Is his first appearance an individual
star. 1.-The Sleepy King is the work of
hs.
paper man, who has written so many comic
nbrettos. and Giovanni Conterno. a musical
director OF note. The book is said to be
full OF fun. and the music is credited with
being exceptionally pleasing. The piece is
in two acts, and is beautifully staged and
costumed.
A glance over the names OF the singers
and comedians engaged to support the new
star would irdicate a good entertainment
Little Ed Roadway. the English fun-maker
who was associated with Mr.. Jones in
The Chaperons." has an important part
IN this piece. and others prominent in the
organization are George X. Henry. George
Rusk Fiske, David Abrahams, James
Stevens. Frank Harrington. Rosemary
GIosz, Toby Craig, Harriet Packard Lou
Skiilman. Mile. Proto and last but by no
means least, little Nellie O'Neill, one OF
the most popular soubrettes who visits this
city lie Proto is the premier dancer oi
the company. She comes from Paris
where she has long been considered one OF
the greatest of toe-dancers. There is a
big chorus OF pretty girls, under the direc-
tion Of Mr.. Abrahams and the ensemble
numbers and dances are said 10 be amone
the noteworthy features of the new piece
Seats for the performance OF The Sleepy
King" will be on sale at Engishs box
Office tomorrow morning.
And after comic opera a pastoral play
II happens 10 be one or the very best o.
pastoral plays. too. that will be seen al