The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-26
The Vaudeville at the Grand.

Where do all of the gymnasts and aero
bats come from, any way? The constant
amusement seeker may imagine, after sew
eral months of vaudeville going that he
has witnessed the exhibitions Of all the
gymnasts and acrobats that ever turned
somersaults, and just as he is arriving at
the conclusion that there can be nothing
new in the acrobatic world along comes
a new troupe OF performers from across
the ocean that causes the blase auditor
to sit up and take notice. All CT which
means that the "headliners'' in the Grand
new vaudeville bill are four remark bic
gymnasts named Welson. who hail from the
European music halls and who submit
ting act for public approval that is
about the most perfect thing of the kind
ever seen. The WILSON'S are indeed pre-
miers in their peculiar line of endeavor,
and although exhibitions OF the same style
as theirs very numerous in the Ameri-
can vaudeville houses at the present time,
II must be said that no troupe seen In
Indianapolis so far this season is quite
equal to this new quartet of high-class
artists. Another fine feature of the Grand
current bill Is the performance OF the Car
men troupe Of equilibrists, acrobats and
wire-walkers-a performance that is among
the very best of its class ever presented.
The Carmens were seen at the Grand last
season and attracted much attention at
the time OF their former engagement Their
work this year Is even better than 1t was
before.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Thorne, assisted by
Harry Clark and Matte Temple. furnish the
principal comedy speciality of the pro-
gramme, presenting once again their up
roarious farce, IAN Uptown Flat" which
caused much laughter when seen at the
Grand last spring. Like most vaudeville
farces, 1T Is a crude sketch, but in the
hands OF this able quartet Of funmakers,
1t proves a success. Mrs. Thorne played
her part at yesterdays performances
against the advice of a local physician who
mas Deen attending her. She has been sur
fering from congestion of the lungs, but
managed TO conceal her indisposition by
clever acting. and none of the spectators
knew OF her illness Flo Adler; a pretty
soprano voice far above the average heard
In vaudeville, her upper register being
particularly clear and sweet. She SANG
three songs yesterday-the last with the
help or a little boy stationed in the bal
cony, and won her way TO the hearts of
her hearers. The boy. too, came in for his
snare or the applause.
warren and Blanchard contribute an act
similar 10 their old speciality, but having
many improvements. Warren is a good
black-face comedian who reminds one of
the once-famous minstrel Billy Rice. and
| blanchard possesses good baritone voice.
James ii. Cullen. the parody singer, did
not arrive in the city until late yesterday
afternoon and went on the stage at the
/ matinee before the orchestra had been
| given an opportunity to rehearse his music.
/ His hrst two songs fell rather fat. but
after that he succeeded in causing the au-
/ dlence TO warm UP 10 him" and before
/ he had Withdrawn to the wings had scored
/ quite hit. BlocksOm and Burns a team
/ or burnt-cork travesty entertainers. are
| funny I'm nonsensical speciality. Martin
| etti and Grossi, the musical comedians, did
/ not appear al yesterdays matinee. as their
| instruments failed to arrive in the city un-
/ I'll too late for the performance. They took
their place on the bill in the evening and
were well received
The Great Train Robbery is the title
/ OF an interesting series of moving pictures
i shown by the bioscOpe this week. The
| views. which represent a bold hold-up OF a
| passenger train by highWaymen are
| faxed" of couse, but they are none the
| less interesting on that account, and the
/ Bioscope Company has shown much en-
| terprise In preparing this splendid film. II
must have cost pretty penny to secure
/ the services OF all the people, 10 say moth
/ ing OF the special train. taking part in the
/ mimic production OF a big robbery on
/ the whole. the Grand's new bin is a good
one and deserves patronage.
Albert Shepard. who was musical con
dUctOr at the Academy OF Music in Chi
| cagO until the recent closing of that house
! is the Grands new orchestra director He
took charge OF the musicians yesterday
| and did excellent work.