The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-06

proved. The need for new plays is now
greater than ever. If the young Amer
lean playwright fails to make his place.
the fault rests even more clearly than
ever with himself alone. Very few men
are born to be playwrights-even fewer
than are born to be poets. The best of
critics the best of novelists may (and
generally do) write the very dullest Of
plays. But there are ten potential play
wrights for every one who has as yet
made his way TO the front In America;
and there never better chance to
come to the front than now"
1t will be remembered that in Mrs. Wigs
of the Cabbage Patch" recently seen In
Indianapolis and soon to play "A return en-
gagement. there is a character of boy
who has but one leg. 1t is not recorded that
the management of Mrs. Wigs" has
availed itself of the suggestion. but the
following letter illustrates the curious
things that sometimes filter into the the
atrical mans mail:
Cleveland. O., Nov. Z. 1903.
Manager Mrs. Wigs of the Cabbage
Patch, Opera House.
Dear Sir-In the part of Chris Hazy, MT
Granville has to suffer to make himself a
when actors can be engaged to play such
parts without torture? In Cleveland there
are three actors to the writer's knowledge
who have had TO have amputations, and are
now cripples. thrown upon the world. No
engagements for them Still, there are
plenty of parts they could play. Why do
parts they can play? Tom Halpine, left leg
amputated; Tom MCGUIRE, right leg am
putated. They are vaudeville people, 1
think, and sing and dance; and ]. k Muir
nh I'M anfn 1nff lacr ar,1ntI ia ta6
You and other managers should think of
above people when in want of people for
cripple parts your" &c. 'I II. SMITH"
1t is good news to learn that all signs
point to the enduring success of George
AIDES 1.-THE County Chairman" at Wal
lacks Theater, in New York. Metropolitan
theater-goers consider the comedy emphat-
ically amusing, and more nearly akin to
nature than many more pretentious dra-
mas. The humor of Willis Sweatnam's
lazy negro is alone almost sufficient to as
sure the plays success.
David Belasco says that his successful
star, Blanche Bates. will continue to ap-
pear in THE Darling of the Gods through
this season and next. after which she will
be seen in a new high-class comedy. Il am
at present negotiating with several dram
atists i'm regard to the matter he told a
Washington interviewer, but should l
be unable to secure just what 1 want,
shall be compelled to write them myself"
There's versatile manager for you! And
yet it is true that David Belasco writes
plays as we'll as he produces them. He
seems to understand the American public
thoroughly and gives theatergoers just what
they want. He Is the most remarkable fig
ure in the American theatrical world to-
day. Charles FrOhman Is a great manager;
Clyde Fitch is a brilliant dramatist, but
David Belasco is both great manager and
a brilliant playwright.
The December issue Of the Actors Socie-
ty Bulletin, New York periodical devoted
to theatrical affairs, contains an interest
ing article under the heading of Random
Thoughts on the Relation Between Players
and the Dramatic Critic" contributed by
Hector Fuller the dramatic editor of the
Indianapolis News. In dwelling upon the
belligerent attitude of some actors toward
the critics who. In the pursuit Of their
work, find occasion to point out faults, Mr..
eral: Although at times a carelessly
written word in the newspaper may be un-
just and may hurt-think II 1t is not true
that, in the high aims for the drama which
have just been set forth, the dramatic
critics are with you. They are your best
friends and are proud of the honor. In all
you do that is worthy you have their loyal
support, spiritual comradeship and earn
est and sincere commentator"
The Park had an excellent melodrama in
"The Shadows of a Great City, the latter
part of the week, and the play was well
acted and handsomely staged. 1t is not
often that so thorough an artist as Annie
Ward Tiffany is seen on the boards at the
Park, and her temperance there in the
old-time play caused many theater-goers
who, as a rule. keep away from the cheaper
theaters to attend the performance. 1.-The
Shadows of a Great City" is not without
Its faults, but 1t is so much better than
the average melodrama of the popular
price circuits that in comparison, it shines
like golden nugget in the midst Of a col
lection of furnished brass.
Xxx
The coming local engagement of Elita
Proctor Otis, the Indianapolis actress, is
looked FORWARD TO Will COHSluerdpiS
est Miss Otis has never been seen in her
homie city as an individual star. She
played an engagement at the Grand a num-
Der of years ago in "Ollver Twist" being
featured with Charles Barron. woo played
the character of the brutal Bill Sykes. and
has been seen here In the supporting COM
panies of various stars. The fact that she
will appear in an Ibsen play makes her
engagement all the more interesting. She
is an actress of much talent, and should be
able to give fine performance OF 'Hedda'
Gaber." She will be at Englishs Monday
and Tuesday evenings, Dec. IA and 10.
Scenes from classic dramas have become
a feature in the vaudeville houses of Lon
don, Shakspeare's king john" THE Mer-
chant of Venice" and even Hamlet" hav-
ing been called upon for material. Last
week an addition was made to the list when
Walter Bentley, a popular English actor,
appeared at the Canterbury Music Hall In
an excerpt from Richard Ill" How would
Shakspearean excerpts be received on the
American vaudeville stage? 1t is understood
that a certain well-known actor is to have
a try" at it next season.
Robert Edeson will come to Englshs next
week In his stage version of Richard Hard
ing Davis's story, Soldiers of Fortune"
a play full of action and romance. 1t was