Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-11-23
sAPHRODTTE DOES NOT NEED A VACUUM CLEANER
Reveals n

"AphrodItes was revealed last night in
her Jewels amid q dim light in the
temple.
Out in front, guarding the public
morals, were Judge James A. Collins Of
the Marion County Criminal Court, Claris
Adams, prosecuting attorney; City Judge
Walter Pritchard, FIVE police women and
an enormous crowd of people who had
walked to the box Office Of the Murat
Theatsr to buy tickets because they
wanted to see this magnificent spectacle.
"Aphrodite' did not bluh. Her au-
dience found nothing that was inartistic
The cenEors did not rise up in their
seats to protest against the spectacle
depicting wild life in Alexandria. The
show went on to the honest applause OF
an audience that needed no public guard
ian OF morals. The boxes were filed
with distinguished citizens, motors cars
waited for them after the show and
hundreds OF others rode home on 3
cent piece and a transfer, and many
others were glad to walk and recall the
beauty Of the scenes just depleted
"Aphrodite'' as presented st the Murat
Is q compliment to the beautiful In the
theater. The ballet presented is as care
fully trained in their light attire as has
been shown here on Sundays. Color
blended into color as one richly beautiful
scene faded into another. Camels and
horses, men and women, love and hate,
foolish vows and kisses, death and life,
dance and melody were all blended into
a beautiful spectacle Of the art Of the
thsater
answer the question directly; Is
"Aphrodite" immoral7 Is 1t vulgar? Is
it inartistic7 Is 1t dull7
To each and every question Isanswer
IN plain words-No. Imagination has
caused every protest against this show.
It Is true that the story concerns the
first wild woman, Chrysis, who vamped
before Theda Bara ever heard the word.
This woman demands three things Of the
man she wants to possess. They are a
mirror, q string Of pearls and comb.
To obtain them, Demetrios must pay for
them with everything he holds valuable.
And yet he murders to obtain the three
gifts for this Wild woman. This Deme-
trios Is Greek sculptor who has carved
out Of stone the original September
Morn. He worships this statue and on
seeing Chrysis, a street walker, thinks
that she represents the spirit Of the
statue. After he causes her death, this
sculptor discovers how much he loves
her.
All Of this takes place amid settings
that are as beautiful as the hand Of man
can create. ballet, thinly clad, goes
through a score Of movements that are
no different than those done under the
name OF 'artr by some Of the sunday
artist who have appeared In this city
and are all ready billed to appear. The
words OF the story are spoken inteli-
gently by Mckay Morris, an old friend
at the Murat, as Demetrios, the Greek
sculptor; Pauline Armitage Tin the
original role OF Dorothy Daltonl az
Chrysis, s beautiful street walker OF
Alexandria, Frederick Macklyn as
Timon, a Greek gallant; V. L. Gran
VILE, also known here as Horatius, a
Roman poet; Alfred Hemming as Nau-
krates, physician to the queen, and few
others who have lines to speak. l have
forgotten the splendid dramatic work
done by Maude Odell as Bacchys in the
second, act, the last scene.
have not mentioned the dancing OF
Vera D'Artelle as Aphrodasia, a dancing
slave, who exhibits herself in q wild
dance Of complete abandonment II there
is objection TO her work then the ballet
Is impure None OF her dancing is cheap
1t IS art and. no apologies are offered.
There is one bit that Is unnecessary,
and that Is the introduction Of a beauti-
full maiden in frequent clothes who rides
on q camel while on her way to the house
OF Bacchys.
And in speaking Of the so-called wild
ness at the home OF Bacchys, It did not
possess the imaginative kick that the
famous Mordkin gave me at the Murat
years ago when he came prancing on the
stage covered with the suggestive furry
Of wine