The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-28
"R.iIroad Jack" at the Park.

"Raflroad Jack" at the Park.
It isn't a matter Of who can act the best
In Railroad Jack" which began a half
weeks engagement at the Park yesterday
Its question as to who can make the
most noise. The lion. which appears IN the
circus scene OF the last act--if you don't
believe It's a lion keep your pessimistic
suspicious TO yourself so as not to spoil
your neighbours eHtertainment-is some
what boisterous. but many of the actors
Of the company can give that lion-it's bet
ter to call 1t a lion. anyway-cards and
spades when II comes to a good, out-and-
out racket. Railroad Jack" is a wonderful
play-wonderful in the first place because
1t can stick on the popular-price circuits
and continue to draw people TO the theater
season after season. but wonder, above all,
because OF the manner in which IL has been
put together by the individual who is will
ing 10 admit that he wrote IL. The play
takes place 10 Rushville-not Rushville,
Ind. but another Rushville At first one
Is led to suspect that the Rushville of the
play Is a town newhsre out on the West
ern plains. for the reason that cowboys.
miners and an occasional Mexican happen
upon the scene. But the interested auditor.
If he allows his glance to wander to the
paiuted "back-drop" which is to be seen
tior" OF the first act. will discover that
this Rushville has high buildings and
monuments and electric car lines and other
things surprisingly suggestive OF New York
city. It's a puzzling matter-the geograph-
zeal situation of this Rushville, and food
TOR deep thought: But. after all. what's
the use in worrying about it? Rushvilles
are Rushvilles wherever they are.
fhe play has been seen at the Park upon
other occasions and the patrons of that
popular theater seem TO like IT, Far be
~ <ror
that II is the very worst play ever written.
without any exception whatever. II anyone
should imagine such a thing for a moment
just let him drop into the Park during a
performance OF the thing and see for him.
self how thoroughly the audience Is enjoy
ing it. Two large crowds yesterday showed
that the entertainment pleased them by ap-
piauding enthusiastically and laughing
5oyously. The leading member of the COM
a tramp-"R Railroad Jack" He Is lone of
natures nobleman.' is Jack. He defends
the little soubrette from the murderous
Mexican. does comic songs and funny falls,
always turns up at the right time to spoil
villainous schemes and otherwise makes
himself solid with the audience. Dale
road engineer. who carries trivial things
like checks for $4,000 about in his overalls.
DOM worry" he says TO the little
scubrette when ruin is staring her in the
face. .'I'll help you-here. take this check
FOR $150W'-or words TO that effect Mr..
peveraux plays the part with great earnest
Piunkett is the soubrette. There have been
many Plunketts at the Park recently-one
the week before last, another last week,
two in the play the first half of this week
and now Estelle, the best Plunkett OF
them all. She Is pretty as picture. can
sing and dance, and--what counts for more
than anything else in Railroad Jack"-she
can talk louder than anybody else In the
company. The other parts are In suitable
hands and the play sweeps on irresistibly
TO triumphant conclusion. 1t Will remain
at the Park the rest OF the week, and Will
doubtless prove big drawing card