The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-22

There were some slight bitches in the
opening performance of the week at the
Grand yesterday afternoon, for the reason
that three of the performers engaged were
unable to reach the city in time to take
part in the programme. Rome and Fergu-
son, the character comedians and George
III. Wood, the moneloguist, missed connec
tions while journeying to Indianapolis from
Detroit and their absence made it neces-
sary for Manager Zeigler to present the
entertainment in a somewhat rearranged
form, with the bioscope pictures, some of
which are very interesting this week, dis
played in the midst of the programme in
stead of at the end, as is customary. The
tardy performers arrived in time TO give
their specialteS in the evening, and the
show ran along smoothly, and with much
better results at the second performance.
The bright particular act OF the bill Is the
one presented by Mary Hampton and her
assistant farceurs, William Davis and
Frank Whitman. 1t is an amusing little
piece called THE Melodrama," written by
Edmund Day. who seems to have a monop-
oily in producing vaudeville sketches or the
better sort. 1t must be admitted that Mr..
Day failed to make the most of the excel
lent idea upon which his farce is based
that is, the construction OF the piece is
crude, although there is plenty of genuine
fun in it. would-be writer Of blood
curdling melodramas falls off to sleep while
inventing lurid play, and is visited in his
dreams by the heroine, adventures and
1.-The orchestra" that were to be such prom
inent features in his masterpiece. Mr.. Davis
is the dreaming dramatist and plays his
part well; Miss Hampton appears first as
the heroine and then as adVentur-
ess. and does some excellent COM
edy playing, and Mr.. Whitman, a
little chap, with a serious face and Il
talent for rendering 'shiver-and-shake'
music of the melodramatic sort on the vio-
lin, is very funny as 1.-The orchestra" The
sketch is really enjoyable. despite its cru
dity, and is great Improvement over the
The best of all bell-ringers, Musical Dale
comes in for the second hOnors of the pro-
gramme repeating the very favorable i'm
preston he made here last year. The melo-
dies from the favorite new operas and the
popular airs of the day become additionally
attractive when Mr.. Dale plays them on his
sweet-tOned bells. He is far in advance
of his contemporaries. for his work is really
artistic. Pretty Winona Winters and her
father, Banks Winters, appear in the same
sketch which they gave here early last sea-
son. The sketch has little to commend in
it, but father and daughter please the au-
dience with their singing. Mr.. Winters
seems to have obtained n new set of vocal
chords, for he sang yesterday as he has not
sung here in many years. During his last
visit 10 Indianapolis his voice seemed but a
shadow of its former sweet tenor, but his
vocalization this time Is a surprising i'm
provement. Little Miss Winters is as
charming as ever. although she is in need
of some new songs. Her. Ventriloqulal 1ml-
tations are exceptionally good.
Carrie Scott had the difficult work of
opening the programme yesterday. Her
STYLE of entertainment is the sort that goes
better when an audience is in the humor
of being amused, and she VIII doubtless
score more of a hit during the rest of the
week when she is given ner allotted place
on the bill. With a comical little colored
boy to aid her, she sings a number of
songs. not forgetting her favorite Bowery
girl number. Delmore and Lee, a pair of
gymnasts of the first rank, furnish a splen-
did exhibition, performing the most won
derfuI feats of strength and skill with as
tonishing grace and apparent ease. Johnny
contributes a speciality that proves anus
ing to many people.