The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-23

Sis D. m.
PARK.-"At the Old Cross Roads" and
EMPIRE.-Burlesque and D. m.
UNIQUE.-Variety, and p. m.
''The Earl of Pawtucket" at EngIisb's.
Bright in its conception and entertaining
in treatment, Augustus Thomas's new COM
edy, 1.-The Earl of Pawtucket." is unques-
tiOnably one of the best little plays turned
out for some time by an American play
wright. and is deserving of all the success
with which 1t has met since it's production
just a year ago in New York. The piece
was seen in Indianapolis last night for the
first time, an audience of good proportions
gathering at English's TO enjoy this whole
some and amusing offering-an attraction
differing In many respects from those OF
the last month in this city.
Mr.. Thomas hit upon a happy idea in
writing of the eccentTicities and guliibility
OF a British nobleman, who finds himself
mixed up In puZZling complications on
American soil. Nothing delights an Amer
lean audience more than good-natured
exposition of the pecultartties OF our Eng
Hsh cousins, and the playwright, In this IN
stance has handled his theme so cleverly
and with such good taste that even an out
and-out Englishman would find the comedy
entertaining, while to an American Ii APP
peals irresistibly. Although the central fig
ure of the play is the sort of LOndoner
that tickles an American all over, he is
withal a manly sort of chap and is such
thorough gentleman that the sympathy
of the audience is ever with him, though
the spectators may be laughing at him the
while. There is wit that is above the aver
age in the lines of the play, and Mr..
Thomas has fashioned number of incl
dents that are decidedly original and who'll
ly amusing. The naturalness of the dia-
logue Is striking and the characters are
all clean cut and interesting.
The story of the comedy is laid in the
Waldorf-Astoria, New York city, whence
the hero--or rather the victim-Lord Card
ington, comes in purpuit Of his inamorita,
a young divorcee who is known by her
maiden name of Harriet Fordyce. He has
met her in Europe, and has followed her
through France and England, and finally
10 America without having had an oppor-
tunity to be introduced TO her. She is his
ideal, and he is determined with true Brit
ish bulldogism, to win her or die in the
attempt. He has heard much of the title
hunting American girls, however, and fear
full that she might give her hand TO him
just because he chances to be nobleman.
American friend, enc Montgomery Putnam,
who kindly loans him his name,
which, quite unknown TO the earl, got
a most unenviable reputation and pend
ing warrant for contempt of court for UNI
paid a.limony to-of all people in the wide,
wide world-Mrs Montgomery Putnam, nee
Harriet Fordyce. That idea was stroke
of genius the part of Playwright
Thomas
The Englishman runs across the girl of
his heart at the Waldorf-Astoria, and a
friend of his, Arthur Weatherbee, intro
duces the two, giving the nObleman's name,
in accordance with instructions, as Mont
gomery Putnam. Harriet is naturally
taken aback when she learns chat the Lon
don swell who has been following her so
perSistently Is travelling under the name of
her divorced husband From a newspaper
clipping, and from circumstances she learns
his real identity, but permits the game to
go on, wondering what ii all means. The
real Putnams relatives, some of whom
have never seen him, are looking for him
In New York, and so is a lawyers clerk
with writ and claim for $500 back ali
mony. All of these searchers find their
victim, to the discomfort, not to say dis
gust, of the earl, who still insists that he
is Montgomery Putnam, of Pawtucket. FL
nally, when he has been arrested for OBJ
tanning money under false pretenses, and
on charge Of numbering the earl of Card
lngton, who, as the newspapers have 1t,
has mysteriously disappeared" Harriet
ForGyce, with the assistance Of her father
and her unsuccessful but kindhearted
tangles, and all ends as IL should end-with
the long-suffering Londoner winning the
pretty American.
Frank Monroe is distinct success in the
character of the earl-the part made ia
comedian. Those in. the audience last
night who had seen DOrsay's portrayal
during the long run of the piece in New
York were quite willing TO admit that Mr..
Monroe'S work does not suffer in COMPARE
SON. He looks and plays the part almost
hawleSsly and the character seems to fit
him perfectly, do the several suits of
clothes which he wears during the three
acts. Mr.. Monroe is almost a newcomer to
the local stage, though he has for several
years been looked upon as an actor who
could be intrusted with any kind of part.
His versatility is remarkable. He under
studied James A. Herne in Sag Harbor"
at one time, and when Herne was out of
the cast on account of illness, played that
distinguished author-actOrs role so well
that the public was not aware of the sub
stitution. He also appeared with Stuart
Robson, taking all sorts of parts, from
Juveniles to "heavies." In this new
credit than does D'Orsay, for the reason
that his portrayal is an admiBabe study,
while his English rival does not have to
act at all. but merely do himself
The supporting company is in every way
adequate. Marie Pettes is pretty and al
ways quite natural i'm the part of the young
divorcee, her conception of the character
and her grasp of the amusing situations
being both agreeable and convincing. The
bluff, but kindly father OF the young wom-
an, is capitally acted by Charles Mason and
Herbert Fortier gives a good Interpretation
of the role OF Senator Barker. Wedgewood
NOVEL; portrays the American friend of
the earl very pleasingly and Marguerite
Hayden. as this frienu sweetheart is
dainty and acceptable in all that she has
TO do. The maiden aunt, who denounces
Lord Cardington as an impostor. is well
acted by Florence Robinson, and all of the
minor characters are In capable hands.
The three acts of the comedy show diff
ferent interior views of the Waldorf-As-
toria and the scenery and properties are
exact and very handsome. 1.-THE Earl OF
Pawtucket" will continue at English
through the first half of the week, with a
| naaa n r,nrnr q tor