The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-14
In the ThedterS
TO-DaY's Schedule.


ENGLIsHs;- "Hedda Gabler,"' s:l5 p. m;
GRAND.-High-clasS vaudeville, 2:l5 and
S:15 p. m.
PARK.-"Through Fire and Water" and
EMPIRE.-Burlesque 2 and p. m.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 3 and p. m.
Indianapolis playgoers will have their
first opportunity to witness presentation
of Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler'' this evening at
Englishs when Elita Proctor Otis and her
carefully selected company will open an en-
gagement Of two evenings in this strange
drama of the Norwegian poet and play
wright. Until Mrs. Fiske appeared in this
play in New York at the beginning of the
present season, "Hedda Gabler" had never
been presented in America, although several
other Ibsen Enthusiastically Ghosts" and
"A Dolls House"-had been acted from
time to time with varying success. Some
OF the metropolitan critics seemed TO re-
gard "Hedda Gebler' as the strongest of
the lbsen plays, while all agreed that Mrs.
Fiske made the character OF Hedda more
interesting than 1t had been in the literary
version. 1t is said that Miss Otis has sue
ceeded in accomplishing this same result
and local theatergoers-or at least those
theatergoers who deeply interested in
real dramatic art-will be very DESTROYS of
seeing the performance of the much-dis-
cussed play as given by Miss Otis and her
supporting players.
Miss Otis is naturally well known in In
dianapolis. This is her home city and her
professional career has been watched with
interest by many people here. She has
played great many parts and enjoys a rep
utation for having portrayed with more than
ordinary success number of very i'm,
portant roles. She is generally considered
the best Nancy Sykes among the present
day American actresses who have imper-
sonated this famous Dickens character
and for several seasons was known as the
most convincing OF stage adventuresses.
Her company contains some wel-known
people, including Donald Robertson. Wood
ford Lucas, Anna G.. Titus, Marion Ash
worth and Laura Palmer.
XXX
Charles Riggs, who modestly poses as
"agent" for 1.-THE Telephone Girl" al
though he is it's manager. has, with Mrs.
Riggs, been spending few days in the
city. He is one OF the kind of business
get best results, be ten or twlve days ahead
of his company and have the advance
agent stay behind to look after minor af-
fairs. Mr.. Riggs is one of the veterans in
the financial side of theatrical affairs. For
thirty years he has been traveller about
the continent in this capacity and is widely
known among house managers in Canada,
the United States and Old Mexico. He
made three tours of the republic on the
south, directing the affairs of singing stars.
I'VE made enough money to ride back
home each time" Mr.. Riggs said yesterday.
Indianapolis has grown wonderfully from
the theatrical viewpoint since j first came
here twenty five years ago. In advance of
c: A Gardner, who then appeared as
Karl At that time the best theater in
Indianapolis was on the second floor of
business block. Some one has told me that
fifteen interurban cars come into the city
every hour and that IL is but the beginning
Of this kind of travel. This is going to
mean a great deal to Indianapolis in
theatrical way. 1t will mean larger patron
age for the theaters and larger patronage
means the best attractions" Mr.. Riggs
company will produce 1.-The Telephone
Girl at the Park the first half Of next
week.
The musical act to be given by Klein, OFT
Brothers and Nickerson at the Grand this
week, is among the most pretentious in
vaudeville. The four men carry $4,000 worth
of musical Instruments and each of the
quartet is able to play almost any kind OF
instrument either of the string or wind
variety. Mile Nervana, the German eques-
trienne who is advertised as the leading
feature OF the new bill, has appeared in but
two other vaudeville theaters in America
Her act is said to be one most unusual
nature and sure TO attracs much attention.
The other contributors TO the Grands new
programme, which has its first presentation
this afternoon. are Monroe. Mack and Lau-
renee, in farcical sketch entitled THE
Two Senator's" Walions and Martinette in
a dancing exhibition; Monsieur Asva, an
European juggler of renown: Zelma Rawl-
ston, the impersonator and singing comedi-
enne; James Richmond Glenroy, the Irish
comedian. and Frank White and Lew Sim
mons, in a blackface speciality. The bio
scope will have anew set of moving pic
lures to offer. Taken as a whole the show
should be very enjoyable one.
XXX
The lame of James III. Wallack stands
for something out of common in melodrama,
particularly in the way of striking scenery
and unusual stage contrivances. His new
est melodrama. Through Fire and Water"
Way based on railroad life IN the South
west, begins a three-days engagement at
the Park this afternoon 1t Is in the hands
OF company of twenty. each one having
a speaking part, and In the seven scenes
some EMBARRASSING incidents occur. There IL