The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-19

There are few better plays than Shore
Acres" and even when presented by
modest company at popular prices, this
well-written, beautiful stage-story by the
late James A. Herne is we'll worth seeing.
1t is given a meritorious production this
season by a company of players that is
quite equal to the demands made. and the
opening of the half-week's engagement at
the Park yesterday drew two large and
interested audiences.
Park crowds, as a rule, care only for
lurid melodrama or hilarious musical farce.
with a strong preference for the former,
and a play of the quality OF Shore Acres
is not always appreciated at that amuse-
ment house. But the Herne drama is one
that would be a success in any theater; ii
has certain spark of human nature in it
to awaken the interest and sympathy of all
classes. In the present instance much
credit is due TO the managers, for they
have kept the piece up to its old standard
of excellence as a production and have
secured some very capable players to en-
act the leading roles. OF course, the great
est share of the work falls Upon the Shout
ders of James 7. Galloway, who plays the
part OF Nathaniel Berry, the part made
famous by that talented author-actor,
James a. Herne 1t is greatly to Mr.. Gal
loway's credit that he plays the role most
satisfactorily. Mr. Galloway was a member
of Herne's company when Shore Acres
was at the height of its success, and had
every opportunity to study the methods of
the distinguished character actor. AS
result he gives performance that is Won
derfully similar to that which was rendered
by his famous predecessor. His appear
ance his voice and his mannerlsms are
all faithful reproductions, and it is indeed
hard not to ina CINE that James A. Herne
himself is playing the part when you see
Galloway as Uncle Nat Berry. 1t is a
matter of interest to note that Mr. Gal
loway first appeared in the role in this city
at the Grand Opera House. Mr.. Herne.
upon that occasion, was taken with sud-
den illness. and Galloway, who had been
his understudy all season, thus found his
first opportunity to play the leading part
in the play. He gave such a perfect imi-
tation of the other actor that few people
in the audience knew that change in the
cast had been made.
The other players in the present cast are
equal TO the requirements of their respec-
tive roles Atkins Lawrence makes a good
Martin Berry, although the stern Martin
does not look natural with a mustache.
Mr.. Lawrence should part with that mus
tache for arts sake. James a. Herne would
never have tolerated it. Elwyn Stevens, as
Joel Gates. William II. Burton, as Josiah
Blake, and Burt Flansburg, as Sam War
rem, the young doctor, do creditable work,
and Miss Challis Winter makes a very
sweet and interesting Helen Berry. May
McCabe, a young. indianapolis woman,
plays the part of Martins wife in an ex-
ceIlent manner, and her little daughter,
Bernice, gives very intelligent interpreta-
ton of the character of Mandy Gates. The
other children in the cast. Jimmy Galloway.
a son of the leading actor, and Olive Nc
Vine are also splendid juvenile players. All
of the minor parts are in good hands.
''ShOre Acres will continue at the Park
throughout to-day and tomorrow and is
entitled to patronage-not only from the
Parks regulars but from the more
careful class of theater-goers.