The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-08-21
Dream Food Again Saved by Walker;
Two Ploetz Brothers Are Ideal Clowns
BY WALTER D. HICKMAN

WHAT'S The STUFF lnaL dreams
are made Of?
That nobody seems to know, but
some things which are named dreams
are not dreams at all.
In 1918 when Stuart Walker at the
Murat first presented his own play,
Jonathan Makes a WISH was not
among those present. I saw this
strange affair for the first time last
night at the Murat.
The dream food presented by Walk
er in several of his one-act plays has,
to my way of thinking. been de-
ncious morsels. I am not bound by
what any one thinks of Jonathan
Makes a WISH" and if I did not give
my honest opinion, I would be a cheat.
Honest opinions oftentimes are not
pleasant ones.
Jonathan Makes a Wish" is not a
suitable bill for this time of year for
an all-weeks run. A special perform
ance might have been appropriate. I
believe that the theater is more than
a playhouse for just the few, but for
the many. I believe that the stage
has a lofty purpose. I admire Walk
er's determination to produce things,
regardless Of their commercial value.
The dream food served in this Wal
ker play does not digest we'll That
is. 1t didn't for me- / want my dream
children to walk about. to talk and
sing to me Of the beautiful things Of
life and of the things I could not see
but in dreams. In other words, sue
cessfully dream food must have the
quality which Will make one dream
his own dreams. Last night at the
Murat, I failed to respond. At no
time was I lifted up. and I expected
sAValker to make me partake of his
Ndream food.
Maybe My Dream Food
Has Been of the Wrong Brand
The dream food in Jonathan" is
not strictly dream food. 1t IS mixed
up too much with whimsical thoughts
and the tendency to preach a doctrine
Ct letting youth free itself from the
mental oppression Of others.
Jonathan seems to me to be more
of a mental idea than a real lad. It
takes a real chap 10 dream beautiful
dreams. Deformed creatures Of life
have no part in the dreams OF a nor
mai youngster. The right kind Of
dreaming gets the dreamer some pace.
Jonathan's dreams never reach to the
moon. They just go over the hill
You can't touch the dreams Of this
lad They fall TO pieces.
Jonathan Makes a Wish" left me
in a state of mental confusion. There
is no more artistic producer and di-
rector before the American people to-
Vol hrrf 0af+haT
Walkers ability or presence could
lift up the heavy dreams OF Jonathan
The first act is by far the best.
Jonathan appears to be at least
little human, but tin the second and
third acts even marvelously beautiful
sets could not save the play.
You know I have never posed as
knowing the whole works or any big
per cent of the stage game. am
merely telling you my own opinion. /
do not ask you to agree. Jonathan
may touch a responsive note in you
which will cause you to dream. That
is your own wonderful right.
walker Appears for First
lime This Season at Murat
Walker is appearing for the first (
time this season. He plays the role !
of the uncle in his own play. William
Kirkland, just youth, has the role
Of Jonathan. Walker, by his artistry,
has touched a responsive note in this
lad. Some day it may bloom into a
marvellous flower. kirkland has a
natural, healthy, boyish appearance
and fits well at times into the story.
The best piece of work done in the
play is by Jack King Davis as
Hank" Here is natural work. Others
in the cast include Mary Florence
Fletcher, Bernice Spade, Tom Spring
err, Kay Strozz, George Somnes. Lu-
Gle Nikolas and Judith Lowry.
From a scenic viewpoint Jonathan
Makes a Wish" is one Of rare beauty.
The second scene is masterpiece in
dream scenery.
I wish I could be fond of iona
than" because love dreams and
admire the playwriting ability of
Stuart Walker but I am not even
mildly enthusiastic over Jonathan"
Have your own idea. Please.
At the Murat all week.
! - !
Real Pantimime Is on View
at Palace for First Half Of Week
Meet the Ploetz brothers and sis
tiers.
The brothers belong to that rare
class Of pantomime actors which we
often read Of but never see.
They bring to us in 1.-The Clown
Revue a refreshing dash of some
thing new. The act has class It
belongs to the big time both as to
eNpnception and to method of delivery.