The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-22
NOTE AND COMMENT.

Dramatic critics, writes witty MAX
Beerbohm in the London Saturday Review,
may be divided, according to their breadth
of view, into four classes.
There is Cd the ideal critic who is
equally and extremely susceptible to every
form and manner of drama. Tragic or
comic or melodramatic or farcical romance
or realism or fantasy, ancient or modern
he reVes in them all, and is Illuminating
about them all. The only drawback in him
Is that he does not exist. Like unto him,
in the matter of impartiality, is (O the
critic who, reveling in not single one of
these forms and manners, pretends TO APP
preciate them ALL and Is not less trite and
tedious about one than about another. The
chief objection to him is that he does ex
ist-that he is, indeed. the average type of
critic. But there is, as antidote to him CD.
the critic who really does revel in one or
more of these forms and manners, and,
reVel.ng in that or them, can neither I'M
derstand nor abide the rest Where he
revels he is illuminating. Where he de-
tests, he is entertaining; for the rigid APP
plication of a false standard to anything
must always produce a grotesque result,
and grotesque must be always welcome.
The third kind of critic is my favorite-
much dearer to me than the fourth kind
(of which | am one.)
Critic No. 4; he too, has his strong pre-
objections; but he has no prejudices. He
does not detest everything to which he hap
pens to be Indifferent, nor will he apply
thereto the standard applicable only to
what he happens to love, and thus he does
his readers out of lot of stimulating
fun
Ellen Terry, the distinguished English &C
tress is now presenting an interesting
Dutch drama in London called 'The Good
Hope" The toll levied by the sea is the
theme of the play and the piece is power
full indictment against rotten vessels The
merits of the play and of it's interpreta-
ton were both generously recognized
when THE Good Hope had its first pre-
sentation last week. Miss Terry has a con-
genial part in the role of a fishermans
widow. The poor woman, conscientiously
striving 10 do her duty, forces her Younger
son, Barend. TO join the crew of the Good
Hope, and one OF the most effective scenes
of the play is that where the mother urges
the frightened lad TO go on board and
place his trust in God.
I'VE take the fish. and God takes us"
mutters an old fisherman. Cobus as. seated
in a chair in the widows cottage, he
philosophers over the lot of those who
living.
I'VE pay dearly for the fish," cry the
women of the quaint little Dutch village
as they listen to the raging of the storm.
Blanche Ring. the popular singing come
dienne, signed contract last week with
Hamlin & Mitchell. the successful produc-
tIS VI 1hS w i1dfu OF w and BABES In
Toyland." by which she will appear under
their management next season in a new
musical comedy. Miss Ring recently re-
turned 10 New York from London with the
aVowed purpose of appearing in this coun-
try in the English musical piece THE
Cherry Girl" but the offer made her by
the enterprising new theatrical firm caused
her to change her mind. She goes back
10 London soon for another season in the
music halls of the British metropolis where
she recently scored a hit with her Ameri-
can songs.
Mrs. Patrick Campbell has not been salts
fed with making arrangement with
Nine. Bernhard for appearing with her in
''Pelleas and Melisande" during the Lon
don season. She has also decided TO bring
cut on her own account a play written by
Mrs Lyttelton, the colonial secretary's
wife, whose literary aspirations are direct
ed by reformatory zeal This play deals
with the thoughtfulness of smart society
in its relations with working people and is
special feature Mrs. Campbell will have
powerful social patronage for this expert
ment Mrs. Lyttelton is not on amateur
in literature, but has proved that she has
talent for dramatic writing.
Mrs. Antonio Navarro MARY Anderson.
who retired from the stage fifteen years
ago. has rejected the latest of the many at
tempts that have been made 10 induce her
TO reappear before the public. An invitation
made 10 her 10 make a tour of the United
States. signed by twenty-six prominent
Americans. was recently conveyed TO her
at her home in England and the once IA
nous actress was guaranteed $4,000 for