The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-18
Theatrical Notes.

The Grand's vaudeville bill this week
will be made notable by the presence OF
Helen Bertram. the popular prima donna
of this city who has been known for sew
eral years as one of the most charming
light opera singers in America and who
has just recently taken up vaudeville work.
Miss Bertram's last engagement in comic
opera was in the role of the fascinating
Chicago widow in THE Prince of Pilsen''-
a part in which she scored an unqualified
hit. She has entered vaudeville for n
limited season and will be heard in
repertoire of some of her favorite songs.
The speciality next in Importance on the
new programme will be the little farce
presented by Fred Hallen and Molle Full
Ter, we'll known to indianapolis playgoers
a clever pair of entertainers. They have
but recently returned 10 America from
highly successful Australian trip. The
Melani trio, Italian instrumental must
clans and vocalists, who were at the
Orpheum road show. will play a return en-
gagement, and Edward +. Reynard, the
Hoosier ventriloquist also seen at the
Grand with the Orpheum company, will
make his temperance In his excellent
speciality The entertainment will be
rounded out by Tom Browne, the whistler.
William Window, the ballad singer the
GoOlmanS In a high-caSS musical act, and
the Avon comedy four in comical sketch.
1t is good news to local theatergoers that
Richard Mansfield has consented TO give a
matinee performance here next Saturday
afternoon of "Old Heidelberg" The dis
tinguished actor rarely gives matinee per-
formances in cities where he plays for less
than week. but Manager Miller, of Eng
lishs, is convinced that there is an unusual
desire in this city TO see Mansfield's pro-
which was the talk of New York during the
first part of the present season. Mr.. Mans
field will arrive in Indianapolis Saturday
morning from Columbus on special train.
He will bring his company of over 100 play
ers TO this city and his presentations of
old Heidelberg" in the afternoon and
Ivan the Terrible in the evening will
form the greatest dramatic event of the
spring season. and. indeed. of the truly
important events of the theatrical year
The sale of seats for the Mansfield engage
ment will open at Englishs box Office
Thursday morning at o'clock and very
heavy demand is looked for.
Mrs. Fiske wishes that America had a
great theater'' for Shakespeare and Ibsen
and other master Notwithstanding not
especially great playhouse, but a COM
pany of truly great artists. Thing of be-
ing able to bring together band of play
ers of equal rank with the singers o. the
Metropolitan Opera House," she says. with
enthusiasm. Call IL a national theater. if
you like; / should not care what il was
called so long we could organize such "a
company Think where it would place the
United States in the world of dramatic
art
Mrs. Fiske believes that in Ihe near future
there will be such thing as an Ibsen rep
ertoire just as there is a Shakspearean
repertoire. Actors will not oe able to es-
cape from the spell of the Ibsen characters,
she declares, because these characters
fascinate. lure you to study ana bring you
closer to life. And although the life pic
tured by Ibsen is dark and tragic" she
adds, 1T is so pitiably true that no one
need ask where the moral is. Ibsen's truths
are merciless."
A little incident illustrating the popu-
larity of FRITZ Scheff in her own company
occurred at the Illinois Theater in Chi
cago. one evening last week. 1t was lust