The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-22


PARK.-"At the Old Cross Roads, and
EMPIRE-Burlesque and s p. m.
UNIQUE.-Variety, and p. m.
''The Earl OF Pawtucket," the new COM
edy by Augustus Thomas. which was the
biggest drawing card among New York
theatrical attractions all of last winter and
through most of the summer, will be given
its first presentation in indianapolis this
evening. It will be on view at English's for
the first half Of the week, with a matinee
Wednesday afternoon. Augustus Thomas
has written a number OF good plays. some
of them serious and others of a humorous
turn. and this one is generally considered
his best effort. although his latest comedy,
1.-The Other Girl" which was recently
produced in New York. has met with much
approval.
1.-The Earl of Pawtucket'' has to deal with
the adventures of an English nobleman, one
Lord Cardington, during his visit to the
American metropolis. The Englishman falls
In love with beautiful American girl whom
he has seen several times in London, and il
Is on this charmer's account that he crosses
the Atlantic. His adventures at the Wal
dorf-Astoria while trying to win the girl
OF his heart are very amusing, and, as they
lead TO a series OF laughable complications.
the audience is kept in a merry frame of
mind throughout the play. Lawrence
D'Orsay. the English actor, played the role
OF Lord Cardington in New York and made
O tremendous hit in the part. Frank Mon
roe, who has won a reputation as an ex-
cellent comedian, will appear I'm the char
actor here, and his portrayal is credited with
being as good as that OF his English con-
temporary. Other well-known players in
the cast here will be Marie Pettes, Mar
guerite Hayden. Florence Robinson, a.
Piper Thomas, Wedgewood NOVEL;, VIII
| liam A Evans and Harry b. Hall. Manager
| Kirke La Shelle has given the comedy a
very handsome scenic equipment AS all of
the scenes are supposed to transpire in the
| Wldorf-Astoria, there IS every opportunity
| for beautiful stage settings. The curtain
will rise this evening at sos.
7 + +
The thrilling military exhibition of the
Hoosier Zouaves will be the chief feature of
the Grand's vaudeville bill this week-an ex-
| hibition that is widely different from any
| thing that has been seen on the local stage
| this season. The zouaves are all Indianapo-
lis boys, under the command of Captain
| Louis Fox, and their tour of the larger
vaudeville theaters has been uninter-
rupted success ever since they scored their
| first sensational triumph at Hammersteln's
| roof garden in New York last spring. Their
lightning drill and wall-scaling performance
| will be well worth seeing and will surely
| rouse the spectators at the Grand this week
| to enthusiastic applause.
There will be several other acts of note
on the bill The Taffry performing dogs
are said TO be wonders, and as the Grand
has had few animal acts this season this
| exhibition will doubtless prove very inter-
/ esting. Taffrys dogs are considered re-
/ tains many new and novel tricks and anus
ing antics. Arnim and Wagner, operate
comedians who were well liked when last
| seen at the Grand, will present a new mu-
| steal skit and other contributors to the
programme will be Foster and Foster, in
| comedy act Rae and Brosche, in an original
/ sketch; Pat TOuhey singer and dancer,
| who also plays the Irish bagpipes; Conley
| and Klein, 1.-The Dutchman and the dancer
| and Keough and Bailey in a farcical act
called "a Vaudeville Surprise" The bio
| scope will offer new animated pictures.
Z
| Estha Williams who has made AT the
| Old Cross Roads one of the acceptable
plays at the Park in other engagements,
| comes to that theater again this afternoon.
She continues to play the part of Parepa,
| the octoroon, in this play OF plantation
life in the South. There are several others
in the company who have been in the cast
| of the play since it's beginning. As it re-
veals the tragic and softer sides of social
| life in the old South the play tells a story
of heart interest and is full of episodes of
| dramatic strength. Its realism is blended
/ with comedy OF unconventional character.
| The stage environment. costumes and prop
critics are said to be in keeping with the
| atmosphere of the play and the time which
/ It marks. James NJ Brophy plays the role
| of a gambler who plies his calling on the
| steamers of the Mississippi He is a rO-
| mantle actor of wide experience and the
plot of AT the Old Cross Roads depends
| largely upon him for development This
| will be the Parks bill for three days.
|
| a quaint Shakspearian performance will
| take place in New York this evening at the
Knickerbocker Theater. when Ben Greet's
London players (the same who appeared in
this city last winter in the interesting old
morality play of "Everyman'1 will present
| Twelfth Night" as il was played in
Shakspeares time. The audience, instead of
| being greeted, upon entering the theater
| with the familiar asbestos curtain, will OBJ
serve no curtain at all but the bare walls
| OF an 'EliZabethan theater." Trumpet
| blasts in front OF the playhouse. in accord
/ ance with the custom at the old Swan Thea
/ ter in London. will indicate the beginning
/ OF the performance. The costumes will be
| entirely EliZabethan instead of the gaudier
/ ones common in modern Shakspearian pro-
| auctions. The entire text OF Twelfth
| Night" will be rendered. instead of making
| certain EXAMINATIONS which the shortcomings
| or some stars have necessitated. The pro-
| grammes will be printed in the quaint Eng
| lish OF the time OF the Bard OF Avon and
will be in great contrast TO modern bills OF
| the play. In place Of the usual orchestra a
| choir OF musicians will be seated on the
stage dressed in Elizabethan costumes and
rendering English music OF an early period.
Edith Wynne Matthison the young Eng