The Indianapolis journal., 1904-04-15
What Is Doing at the Park.

If, in the gratifying of cherished
ambition or through force of circumstances
you should ever become the villain of
melodrama, do not make the foolish mis-
take of attempting to get rid of the heroine
who chances to be thrown in your path.
It's no use. She can't be got rid of. This
fact has been proved time and again, but
never had it been indelibly impressed upon
the present reviewers mind until yesterday
afternoon at the Park Theater, when the
two villains of the melodrama, over Nj
agara Falls"-two of 'em, mind you-worked
ana tolled and struggled with indomita BILE
push and energy to Kill of the heroine, only
10 10 1all ANONYMOUSLY with each attempt.
Ihere was the usual big crowd of enthusi-
asts at the opening of the engagement of
the new play, and it was an audience that
TOOK an active part in the afternoons pro-
ceeulngs-laughing uproariouSly and de-
nshtedly at the comedy scenes between the
lovers, applauding vigorously the noble
sentiments of the hero and giving vent to
Voclferous demonstrations at every thrilling
climax.
The villains are father and son. The
lather Is a portly villain with husky
voice and fOndneSS for hiding his big bulk
behind Japanese screen or a window cur
tain while he listens to what other folks
are saying. The son is a small villain with
cold eye and a determined Jaw. The
heroine stands In their way, for some rea-
son or other which would be rather difficult
or explanation (and the present scribe isn't
looking for trOuDle), and so they decide
that she must die. Big villain makes the
first attempt on her life. He tries TO drown
her and imagines that he succeeds In his
later on as circus performer with a
spangled dress and tells him what she
thinks of him. She is then pushed into
Lake Chautauqua by somebody who has
this scene takes place out of sight of the
aud1ence), but this time the hero fishes her
out Big villain and little villain then get
together and make a combined and praise
worthy effort to put an end to the lady.
They find her in the vicinity of Niagara
Falls, and, happening upon a barrel at the
same time, they chuck her into the barrel
and send her on brisk trip over the rapids
But, bless you, the adventure is in the ma
ture of harmless little Sunday excursion
Tor her, and she comes out of it in good
health and spirits, with the aid of the hero
again.
The play. which was put together. by
such attractions go, is we'll acted, and
there is no doubt of it's success with the
Park audiences. The best player in the
company Is little Miss keene, who takes
an ingenue part with delicacy. naturalness
and certain charm that is seldom to be
seen In an actress of the popular-price
houses. Louise Reming succeeds in win
ming the sympathy of the audience at the
very outstart in the role of the heroine
Ii is true that the heroine isn't in need Of
sympathy, since nothing on earth can harm
her. but Miss Reming gets it just the same
Vera Hamilton and Annie Murray play the
other feminine parts creditably. Edward
Davis makes a good hero and seems fully
aware OF that fact and Frank Weed plays
the comic part of a newspaper reporter
newspaper reporters are always funny fell
lows IN melodrama) in accordance with
the authors ideas-that is, he goes about
jotting down everything he hears in note
book-there never was reporter who
actually owned notebook-and making
love TO pretty girls whenever he gets the
chance. The big villain is played in very
serious style by Mac NJ Barnes and the
little villain Is capably portrayed by Edgar
Murray, pretty good actor. Gustave
Neaville enacts a Frenchman who says
'Mus-seer" and other good French words
and makes the audience laugh heartily, no
matter what he does The same actor ap-
pears later on as an Indian chief who talks
like Hamlet's uncle and scares the young
sterS in the theater half to death. over
Niagara Falls remains at the Park for
the rest of the week.