The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-20

likely TO be disputed. Expert knowledge of
the conditions of affairs in the interior OF
the Russia of $50 years ago is not common.
1t may be worth While TO point out, now
ever that one of the latest and best au-
thorities the subject. NJ. WalisZewski.
asserts that it is only little short of Ii
belouS to call Ivan 1.-The Terrible" The cpl
tibet. he says, is the result of a misappre-
hension. The word which has been trans
lated Terrible" really, he says, means
Respected" That is to say, Ivan was
masterful person, who let everybody know
that he meant to have his own way, and
did not care much how he got 1t. His man
ner was rather brusque, his methods a trifie
rough, but his motives. in his own eyes at
all events, were patriotic. On the whole he
was not a bad sort of ruler for the place
and period, and was probab bly, much more
effective than more scrupulous man would
have been in the same circumstances At
all events he succeeded in substituting an
autocracy for a plutocratic oligarchy. How
much the people profited by the change is
a question that has nothing to do with the
play. But in the Interpretation of strong
ly marked eccentric character Mr.. Mans
field has always been most happy, and he
finds notable inspiration in a part COM
pounded OF imperfous passion, uneasy sus-
pioion, remorseless craft, and dauntless
resolution.
The condition of theatrical affairs in Eng
land seems to be almost as bad as it has
been for some time here. In both countries
the provoking causes are largely identical
Here is an extract from article on the
dramatic situation by prominent London
critic: 1T is. perhaps, quite natural that
the theater manager should attribute part
of his bad times to the competition of the
music hall, but it is none the less fallacy,
or, if it is not fallacy, it is a proof that
the theater is being grossly mismanaged,
for the function of the music hall and the
function of the theater are two entirely
dissimilar things. 1 am perfectly sure. and
/ write with very considerable knowledge,
that the provincial theater slump is very
largely owing to the very second-rate per-
formances of good plays. and the even
worse performances of SecOnd-rate plays
offered to the provincial playgoers by the
touring companies. The touring system is
dying of its own hamilton, and if the pro-
vincial theater is again to become n place
of influence, and Importance it will have
sooner or later to revert to the stock
system with its consequences of the best
plays interpreted by companies of able
players. decently paid, and properly re-
hearsed. However, it is much easier
to father failure on to outside pressure
than on to ones own shortcomings
+
Dustin Farnum is one of the best horse
men in the theatrical profession. When it
was suggested that horses might be intro
duced into the play of THE Virginian,"
however, Mr.. Farnum deprecated the idea.
He said that ne had been so in the habit of
riding full speed on the plains when out
West. that he was afraid he might forget
himself and plunge over the footlights some
night. So there are no horses seen i'm THE
Virginan' on the stage, although a great
deal is heard of them, and YOU can fancy
that Mr. Farnum has just dropped from
the back of a lively bronco when he makes
his first appearance at the comical christen-
ing party.
~
According to that shrewd observer, the
Paris correspondent of London Truth, the
French do not think much of 1.-The Second
Mrs Tanqueray." She writes: Paula is
not a bad sort of person. but it is objected
that she is a stupid creature, and very
provoking. The French speak of her as
insupportable and do not see that the ia
tality of her situation is needed to bring
about the disastrous wind-up of the fourth
act. Tanqueray is counted an 'imbecile.'
And again "Eileens outburst of virtuous
Indignation is incomprehensible, as the
play is not preceded by a lecture on Eng
lish manners and customs
Robert Il. Mantell, who began his stage
career i'm London, where he is still remem-
bered has received an offer from a prom
inent English manager TO play there next
season Although the offer is most fiat
tering financially. he has declined it, and
next fall will play an extended engagement
In New York, opening in handsome
vival of "Othello." During the engagement
he will also appear as Hamlet, a role he
has acted over one hundred times, and in
new romantic drama by New York news
paper man.
Gabrielle d'Annunzio's son, a boy of
twelve has shown remarkable aptitude for