The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-27
Theatrical Notes.

The Grand will have one Of the strongest
vaudeville bills of its season next week un-
less all signs fail Henry Lee and Ellie
Fay, who will head the programme, are
both vaudeville entertainers of the first
rank and they have never been seen in In
dianapolis in their present specialties. In
fact, Miss Fay is a newcomer to the local
stage, although her name has long been
we'll known to local theatergoers Henry
Lee has been seen in Indianapolis, but
never as a vaudeville star. He was former
ly an actor of the legitimate school and has
essayed many important roles, even sue
ceeding at one time in giving fairly good
portrayal of Cyrano de Bergerac His i'm
presentations are said to be admirable, and
his act promises to be novelty. Miss Fay
will sing her latest songs, including her
Belle of Avenue A" which was such a
great success in New York. Charles Sweet,
the musical burglar" will not appear on
the programme owing to serious illness, but
his place will be filled by Louis McCord and
company in what is said to be clever far
cical sketch: Other contributors will be
Talbot and Rogers, in comedy act; Sher-
man and De Forest in 1.-The Battle of Dan
Dago:" Ford and Wilson, singers and CO.
medfans; Valmore and Horton. high-class
dancers, and Gardner and Maddern, come
dians. The last two performances of the
current programme will take place to-day
affording the final opportunities to see the
Hoosier Zouaves in their interesting drill
exhibition.
"The Volunteer Organist' will close its
successful engagement at the Park with
matinee and evening performances to-day.
1t is a melodrama of the conventional kind.
but is not without commendable features.
and is a much better play than many that
have been seen at the Park of late The
company engaged in presenting it is q we'll
balanced organization and the piece is nice
ly staged. The scene. used in the first act,
showing small New England village with
picturesque hills in the distance is an ex-
cellent painting. The Park will have 1.-The
Smart Set musical farce, and David Be
lasco's play, "rhe Heart of Maryland" as
its next weeks attractions. The latter Of
fering will be one of unusual Importance for
this popular playhouse.
The really meritorious burlesque shows on
the road this season are proving strong
drawing cards. The Fay Foster company,
one of the best combinations of its class
TO visit Indianapolis this year, has enjoyed
a big weeks business at the Empire. The
progressive managers interested in this sort
of entertainment are doing away with stale
specialties. ancient jokes and Objectionable
dialogue and devoting their attention to
giving the public something worth while
The specialties of Lawrence Crane, the ma
gician, and the three wonderful cyclists
Mosher, Houghton and Mosher. would lend
distinction to the Fay Foster show if there
were no other good features in il. But the
entertainment is above the average from
start to finish. Next week the Empire will
have Phil Sheridans City Sports as its
Offering
Some of the New York writer's on the
atrical topics appear to have a very poor
opinion of popular taste in London. Speak
ing of a recent London production an
American dramatic editor states that "as
look for ii with a good deal of confidence
next season." Under these conditions nc
English playwright should be without hope
as he may hear in the Kisses of gallery
first nighters in London the promise of ulti.
mate triumph across the ocean. Sever
boards in New York, and some of them
were not at all successful in the British
metropolis. On the other hand. Captain
Dieppe" and Little Mary" which were
failures on this side, have met with great
favor in England.
Henry w. Savage's English Grand Opera
Company is just now heartily welcomed
visitor TO a number of cities smaller thar
those usually visited by SO great an or
ganization. There has been no abridgement
of the forces for this tour. which was in
stituted TO test the frequently voiced claim
that really high-class amusements would
find ample support outside the beaten tracl
OF week stands The experiment has
been so exceedingly satisfactory that Mr.
Savage may extend his field still further
next year. The company will be In Indian
apolis for an engagement of two night:
and matinee the third week in March.
Soprano Sues for 5000.