The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-23
The Mansfield Engagement.


One of the most notable theatrical en-
gagements Indianapolis has known for
some time will be the appearance of Rich
ard Mansfield at Englishs this afternoon
and evening. The greatest of American
actors comes to this city fresh from his
successful season. in the East, accompanied
by 100 players and magnificent scenic
equipment. He will be seen in his two
latest and, according to many critics, his
two greatest characterizations. At the mat
inee this afternoon, the beautiful comedy,
"Old Heidelberg" adapted from the Ger
man, will be presented just as it was given
at the opening theatrical season in New
York. and tonight Count Alexis Tolstoi's
great Russian tragedy, Ivan the Terri
Mr. Mansfield has made ''Old Heidel-
berg one of the most splendid and popu-
lar plays of recent years Some. OF the
critics declare that 1T is the best play Eu-
rope has sent TO this country In gener-
alton, telling, as IL does a fundamental
experience in the lives of men and women,
the theft of youth, in a sweet yet powerful
and exhilarating manner The bloom OF
youth is over "Old Heidelberg" and those
piaygoerS who witnessed the performance
given at English's early in the season by
the German players from Cincinnati. know
what delightful entertainment is in store.
1t Is In creating the glowing student at
mosphere of the university town that
Mansfield is said to have surpassed any
of his previous undertakings as stage
manager. Three entire acts are devoted 10
the Observation-Disclosures OF the Heldel-
berg boys of whom the actor introduces
nearly seventy-five with their dachshunds
and poodleS and Danes, their long pipes,
their rapiers and their scars, ana their
characteristic German inclinat ton TO burst
into rollicking choruses at short intervals.
AS Prince Karl Heinrich, Mr.. Mansfield is
said to have taken his public by surprise
again by the originality of his creation
Tonight, as Ivan, the Car, the great
actor will display his wonderful ability
as a character actor, and those VINO VII
ness both the matinee and evening perform
ances will have reason TO marvel at MS
versatility Ivan, surnamed the TERRI q,
was the fourth of his name and the hrst OF
Russian rulers to assume the title or Car
He was a contemporary OF Queen Eliza
beth whom unseen, he sought in marriag e
after a nuptial career with seven wives,
which establishes him as successful rival
to his English cousin, Henry VIII. Dur
ing the early days of his life he was much
beloved but a nature suspicious almost
to the point of insanity, an unSoVernable
temper and a capacity for immeasuraple
and unthinkable cruelty established him
before his death the most cruel monarch
that ever sat upon a throne. The sincerity
of his purpose, however, his self-compla-
cent belief in the divinity of his mission,
his abortive transitions from rage to piety,
from humility to inordinate pride, and the
vast scale of his operations, coupled with
the occasional nneSSe or MS metnOu, \are
characteristic of a man fascinating as he
was unique He died as he had lived, in the
midst of sycophants, battling with supersti-
ton.
The tragedy is in five acts and eight
scenes The cast is long, and the total
number of people appearing 150. Pictorially
it reflects the barbaric prodigality of me
dieval Russia refined by a characteristic
national taste. The scenes and costumes
are modelled on plates loaned Mr.. Mans
field by the directors of the Imperial Thea
ter in st. Petersburg. The translation was
made by Madame Sophia de Messner, the
American wife of a Russian diplomat
The sale of seats for this important
theatrical event has been very heavy and
from present indications Englshs will hold
great audiences at both performances.