The Indianapolis journal., 1903-04-30

given a good presentation. The late
Charles Hoyt wrote many good plays, put
Texas Steer" which Is always welcome In
Indianapolis. although seen here dozen
times
The four Lukens, at the Grand this week.
are giving an exhibition on the high hori-
zontal bars that has never been surpassed
and seldom equaled by gymnasts. They
succeed in accomplishing with ease what
was long looked upon as an absolute impos-
sibility-the turning of triple somersaults
In midair. The act Is not European spe-
cialty. as some people seem TO think Inc
men are not only Americans, but they ali
hail from this part OF the country. lhree
of them are really brothers, and their home
is in Ohio. The fourth comes from Logans-
port, Ind. Although there are any numper
of gymnastic and acrobatic acts In vaude-
Vile, this one has always been in great de- de-
mand. The Lukens will join one or the Dig
circuses within the next two weeks.
The other night in London during a per-
formance of 1.-THE Light that Failed" at
the Lyric Theater Forbes Robertson
stopped in the middle Of one Of his most
important speeches during the second act
and looking up at box on the left OF tne
box either be kind enough TO stop talking
or to leave the theater? The play cannot
be continued until they do either one thing
or the other" The interruption OF con-
versation that had disturbed the audience
as well as the actors during great part
of the evening was met with prolonged
round of applause, and il is scarcely neces-
sary to add that nothing more was heard
from the party in the box.
XXX
A special matinee OF Tolstoi's ''Resurrec-
ton" was given in New York by Blanche
Walsh and her supporting players last Fri
day afternoon for the benefit Of all the
ministers of the metropolis who cared to
witness the play: This was done with two
purposes particularly in view. One was to
remove the impression, which is known TO
have obtained in some quarters, that the
play dealt with mystery or religion
mantle story. The other purpose was to
show that the play, instead of being in any
way immoral. taught powerful lesson.
The audience was greatly interested but not
demonstrative. The lack of curtain calls
was especially noticeable.
Robert Roberts, the stage director of "A
Chinese Honeymoon" has just invented
what is said to be an ingenious device as a
finale to the show by which the characters
all fade into invisibility as the curtain goes
down. 1t is a novel idea in comic opera, and
W
company's engagement in Brooklyn this
week. Mr.. Roberts can hardly claim that
the idea is an entirely original one, now
ever, as William Gillette, in his sherlock
Holmes" has been employing device by
which his characters fade from view at the
end of each act of the play.
Henry Miller VIII, after the close Of his
present New York engagement, rest during
June and July, and will resume his work
in August, playing in San Francisco for a
month and half Mr.. Miller played an
engagement of but two performances in In
dianapolis this season, and failed to draw
crowded houses, and yet he can stay in San
Francisco city that is but o, little fer over sI
weeks every year to L-owded houses. But
Indianapolis turns out strong for the Rog-
ers Brothers
Raymond Hitchcock, who has made such
a hit in the title role of king Dodo." has
been spending his leisure hours off the
stage in writing a musical comedy in which
he expects to star in the near future.
Gustave Luders, who wrote the music of
king Dodo," will furnish the score and
Henry w. Savage will make the produc-
tion. The new work. however, will not be
produced until Mr.. Hitchcock has played
king Dodo' another season.
XXX
II is understood that there Is row afoot
between Liebler & Co. and Hall Caine, the
English author, over "The Isle of Boy" the
new musical play in which Vesta Tilley, the
English comedienne, will star next season.
As a result of it Edgar Smith, the clever
Weber & Fields librettist, is now at work
rewriting the manuscript and Mr.. Game s
name will probably be heard less and less
frequently in connection with Miss Tilley' s
coming American tour.
Yvette Guilbert, the famous French music
hall singer, is reported to be dangerously
ill in Berlin, where she had been singing of
late. II is said that her sickness has COM
PEELED Mile. Guilbert to cancel all OF her
London engagements, entailing loss of
nearly $4,000, which had been guaranteed
her for her stay in the halls of the British
metropolis.
Now that some one purposes to dramatize
"Pere Goriot," it is thought that there will
be a general onslaught by playwrights on
Balzac novels. The trouble is, however,
that Balzac has been pretty well worked out
for years by dramatists who happened to
be familiar with the great French novelist S
La Comedie Humane"