The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-21

Mrs. Fiske I'm "Mary Of Magdala."
Before large and brilliant audience that
completely filed the Park Theater the
distinguished American actress Mrs. Fiske
opened her brief Indianapolis engagement
last night in Mary of Magdala." drama
that, viewed from any standpoint is one
of the most interesting and impressive that
has ever been seen on a local stage. Paul
Heyse, the German dramatist, has handled
his subject-and the subject is one that
most writer's for the stage would hesitate
in adopting on account of the many SEEM
ingly insurmountable difficulties which it
presents-in wonderfully skillful manner.
and IN such way that those who
have In the past found IL impossible TO as
sociate religious matters with the play
house can take no offense at the produc-
ton. The Magdalen of Paul Heyse and Mrs
Fiske Is not the Magdalen which the thea
ter-goer has been accustomed to seeing of
recent years in the problem plays of Sud-
ermann and Pinero, but the Magdalen Of
Holy Scriptures, surrounded by characters
entirely foreign to the modern stage. The
play is so thoroughly imbued with the re-
to any other theatrical attraction now he
fore the public. ''Everyman'' Is a beauti-
full symbolism. devoid of theatrical envir-
tacie containing a few scenes that appeal
strongly to the religious instinct; THE
sign or the Cross and Quo
melodramas pure and simple, which never
attain really sublime heights but MARY of
Magdala" is. from beginning to end. a play
that appeals to the intellect, a play that
fascinates the eye and a play that, above
all others, stirs mems souls.
To those who turn 10 the theater merely
as place OF amusement-and il must be
confessed that there are many such-who
do not wish to give application or study
10 the drama that is unfolding itself be-
fore their eyes. Mary of Magdala' will
impress only as a series Of beautiful MIC
lures Of the days when Christ was on the
earth: but to the more thoughtful auditors
and TO those of religious bent, the drama
will appeal in a far more powerful man
ner; 1t will enthrall them from the very
moment that the rising curtain discloses
the Jerusalem OF the Savior's time and as
the divine tragedy is told again-and told
more fmpressively than IL has ever been
narrated from the pulpit OF a church-they
universal drama, and a tender "Amen"
Will involuntarily come from their hearts
and rise TO their lips as the final curtain
The audience is carried back to the he
ginning OF the Christian era when the NAV
opens. The characters of the Bible pass
peiore the spectator and ore suddenly finds
ones self in an atmosphere which could
sSaIceiy nave been imagined before the
Iissns .. ths curtain The mind becomes
alive 10 the fact that these people that are
passing TO and fro in their long robes and
with sandaled feet are people who are
lsins III the 'ihe OF Christ, and the very
air seems TO become suffused with the
awed whisper that Christ himself is arno ~,
them The Savior does not appesr no. -
ms presence Ie manifest at any time through
are ofttimes alluded TO, and His beantiS,,i
teachings. which have so much bearino
upon the story that is developed huf 1hars
Is that about the drama haf
auditor 10 remember az all times that the
Master, in human form, is not far away
MARY OF Magdaia Is first seen in her palace.
a mouse of wealth and luxury. She is a
yoinptuary. Sybarite, the mistress of
judas and the boon companion OF the giId-
ed youth of her day. Joab lothian and
Haran, three visitors at her house. amuse
themselves by haunting the woman of
pleasure with idle Jests concerning her
mooe OF living, and. becoming boisterous.
are urIVen away by Aulus Flavius. a
nephew or Pontius Plate. who arrives on
the scene In time to rescue the Mazdalen
lIom the hands OF her tormentors Flavius,
VINO Is young. handsome and rich sues for
the favors OF this woman whose heautv
appeals 10 him. but he being a Roman. and
n',sad hI an enemy OF the Jews.
help but be impressed by his annearance
and Is grateful 10 him for giving her his
protection
Judas. who has been absent for several
days from Marys side returns 10 her and
tells her OF the Nazarene who has come TO
Jerusalem and whose disciple he (Judas)
has become. The woman is interested In
the story Judas narrates and expresses her
desire TO see this Jesus Christ who is so diff
ferent from other men. Young FIavius
who is still present in the palace. tells hsr
that she can. without difficulty see the
Nazarene and hear his words as the
strange newcomer is TO speak in the garden
OF Simon. nefehbor of the Roman, and
Fiavius invites Mary TO come 10 his own
residence when the Nazarene makes his an
pearance. To the home OF Flavius Mary
goes on the day that Christ Is 10 speak i'm
the adjoining garden. and there she meets
the high priest Caiaphas. who Commands
her 10 accept Flavius her lover and
through the young man win over the sun
port OF his uncle. Pontius Plate. Ia Riding