The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-04
Theatrical Notes.

The appearance of Blanche Walsh in Toll
stois Resurrection tomorrow night at
English's will not only be the most impor-
tant theatrical event of this week, but one
of the chief theatrical performances of the
season. No play produced during the last
ten years has provoked so much universal
comment. 1t was the dramatic sensation of
New York for four months, and is at the
present time being played on the stage of
nearly every important European capital.
Blanche Walsh, in her portrayal of Mas
Iowa, has been conceded by many of the
foremost critics of this country to have dis
played a dramatic genius akin to that OF
the great Italian artist Duse in her great
est moments. Always regarded as a capa-
bic actress, Miss Walsh never acquired any
real dramatic fame until her appearance
last winter in Resurrection" She needed
only the opportunity, and when that OPP
ton in a single night. Few modern books
have been more widely read than Count Leo,
Tolstofs novel upon which the play is
founded. Henri Bataille's dramatization of
the book is credited with being the work of
a master hand. Everything which lacks a
dramatic value he has eliminated. But for
the commercial value of the title, il might
better be called "Maslova," as its story al
most wholly concerns the young woman's
downfall, her consequent degradation and
the hnal resurrection or her soul. The plot
is simplicity itself and would be conven-
tional in the extreme but for the fact that
in this case, instead of making the wom-
ans penitence the dominating theme. the
guilt is placed where In justice ii belongs.
K
The Grand seems to be in for a big
weeks business, as the programme is the
best offered at that theater in several
weeks. Clarice Vance, the singer of negro
songs; Carmontella, the graceful little con-
tortionist, in her witch of the Moon,
James j. Morton, the humorous monologist;
Carl Sanderson, the comedy pianist, and
others on the bill have scored substantial
hits, and the snow. as a whole, is giving
great satisfaction. A large theater party
from the Imperial Hotel. where Carmon
tella (Mrs. Louis w. Buckley has been
living, attended the performance last night
TO applaud the dainty performer. and an
other large theater party will be given in
her honor tomorrow evening by the men,
bers of the Indianapolis Dramatic Club
who appeared in the recent amateur vaude-
vile show at the Propylaeum. Mrs. Buck
the entertainment, and they intend to give
her a hearty reception upon her appearance
tomorrow evening. Another large party
will also be in attendance tomorrow night,
made up of the members of the Millinery
Jobbers' Association, which opens its an
nual meeting in this city to-day.
Driven from Home" the rural melo-
drama now running at the Park, is proving
a good drawing card. and Patrice, who
acts the leading part, is winning the warm
est kind of applause at every performance
by her unusually sincere acting. She is
one of the hardest working little actresses
ever seen at the Park, as she seems to
throw her whole heart into her role. What
ever her faults may be, Patrice is very
much in earnest, and she makes more out
of the play than most actresses on the pop
| uldr price circuits could nOSSibly do.
Driven from Home closes its engagement
with two performances to-day. Opening with
Man Who Dared" a favorite thriller" will
begin a half-week's engagement, with
Howard Hall and Ethel Fuller in the prin-
cipal parts.
The troupe OF Japanese acrobsts and
gymnasts at the Empire this week with
Harry Bryant's burlesquers is giving one
of the most startling acts OF its kind ever
seen in this city. The little Japs are most
daring performers, and some of their feats
have never been equaled here. The vaude-
vile olio of the show is strong. Matt Ken
nedy, the Irish comedian, scores a hit with
his original funmaking methods. which
come nearer being real burlesque than EN-
pire patrons are accustomed to seeing.
Word has just been received from Liebler
& Co. that their talented young star,
Eleanor Robson, last seen in Indianapolis
as juliet In the all-star Shakspearean revi-
val last spring. has been booked to give one
performance at English's a week from next
Monday night, appearing here In Israel
| Zangwill's new play, Merely Mary Ann"
Miss Robson has many ardent admirers in
this city. Her mother, Madge Carr Cook,
was recently seen here in the title role of
Mrs. Wigs of the Cabbage Patch"
Frank Barry Is in the city in advance of
the Behman road show, which comes to the
Grand next week. Young Mr.. Barry be-
longs to the famous theatrical family, of
which the late Billy Barry was the head.
Billy Barry was a great favorite I'm Indian
apoiis in the days when he starred with
Hugh Fay in several clever Irish comedies.
| Lydia Barry, a sister of Franks, is with
the Behman show. She is a clever come
| dienne.