The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-24
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i~ most charming OF American act
resses. will appear at Englishs
ls{<<S7I tomorrow eveping for single
performance OF Madeline Lucette
RyIey's comedy. Mice and Men, this being
one of the three notable engagements that
will bring the theatrical season at the lead
ing local playhouse to a close Maude
Adams and Viola Allen will follow later
on in their successful productions, Miss
Adams coming May 4. in an elaborate re-
vival of The Little Minister" and Miss
Allen presenting. on May L. shakspeares
beautiful Twelfth Night" Thus the dra-
matte season will come to an end in In
dianapolis with performances by three of
the most talented of American actresses.
Miss Russell has been popular here ever
since she appeared with Nat Goodwin in
ambition" eight years ago. That was
her first success. but it was not until two
years later. when she became the star of
the play, Catherine" that the gifted
actress came prominently to the front.
Since then Miss Russell has appeared in
series of successful plays. including Jerome
K Jeromes delightful Miss Hobbs and
Captain Robert Marshalrs excellent play,
''The Royal Family" There is an indefin-
Miss Russell's personality that is peculiar
ly her own Her temperament has been
very well described as a sort of emotional
point lace. In the role of Peggy. in mice
and Men," she finds opportunity for quaint
humor, tender pathos and the exercise of
personal charm almost rose-like in its beau
ty and delicacy. An Eastern critic had this
TO say of her performance in this play:
feels aff an ntncr Of
Torrance as if he had walked through an
exquisite little garden closed on all sides
by flowers in full bloom, with rare perfumes
to enchant the senses. and everywhere a
prcfusion of color that is restful and CRATE
ful to the eye. The wit of the lines. the
atmosphere of daintiness and wholesome
ness that pervades every scene. combined
with the temperamental authority of the
actress herself. go 10 make up an evening
that cannot fail TO linger long in pleasant
ness IN the minds of those who seek the
refinements or dramatic art, and whose
tastes have not been diverted from the
themes which have more loneliness by the
prevalence on the modern stage Of ruder,
II stronger, things"
The story OF Mice and Men, has to deal
with Mark Embury, scholar, scientist
and philanthrOpiSt. who was Tilted when
young. but who fells the need of companion
ship as he grows older. Not knowing a
person suited TO be wife TO him he ScOrnS
the personal columns and goes to an
asylum for foundlings, where he orders for
ward for inspection an assortment of waits
known only by the places where they were
found He selects Little Britain hence
forth TO be known as Peggy, and begins
to train her, hoping to make a wife TO
order, instead of taking the trouble to
md one ready made" OF course, the idea
does not work well. Instead of falling in
love with her guardian, who is dear old
person of the vintage of 1855, Peggy falls
desperately in love with his nephew, Cap
tain George Lavell. a bad lot" whom she
finally marries. At the end of the play
anicable and absolutely proper, the "Old
party gives UP the "make-a-w ife-to-Order
notion, and the curtain falls with the en-
gagement OF Peggy and the captain
The production of mice and Men, is the
largest with which Miss Russell has been
identified, and the cast, with only one i'm
portant change. will be the same as seen
during the five months at the Garrick
Theater, in New York city. Grandma"
Gilbert. one Of the dear old women of the
stage, appears as Mrs. Deborah, Mark En-
bCry's housekeeper. Oswald Yorke who
married Miss Russell about month ago
has the role OF the lover. Captain Lowell
John Mason impersonates Embury. Other
members OF the company are John Glen
DINING, Frank Goldsmith. Charles w But
Ter, I. c. Valentine, Margaret Huddleston
and Olive Murray