The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-14
Thursday, the Doth Day OF May,


This benevolent enterprise of our young La
dies and Gentlemen closed last evening. 1t
has been crowned with success. Our citizens
have generously pstronized this amateur COM
pany, and while they have contributed their
material aid to benevolent objects, the CON-
pany have contributed to their pleasure and
amusement. We think well of such enterpris-
Is, especially when prompted by benevolent
motives. Good has been done, and the perfor-
mers have received their reward. While they
have amused others and aided several chart-
able societies, they have cultivated their own
minds, improved their own memories, and we
trust, made their hearts better. Viewing this
enterprise in all its aspects, we venture the
opinion that much good has resulted from it.
Some of the plays performed are of highly
intellectual character, and to commit them to
memory and fully to understand and appreci-
ate each character, SO as to personate it we'll
on the stage, requires more labor, study and
thought than some may dream ofin their phi
losophy. II they don't believe it let them try
It on.
Much credit is due TO all who have been
engaged In this intellectual and benevolent
work, and where all have done so well, we do
not feel like making comparisons. We think
the best performance of the series was the
Hunchback. While listening TO this we en-
tirely forgot the dramatic corps, composed Of
amateurs, and took it for granted that they
were professionals" The Hunchback is not
play that can be performed well without a
pretty good share of brains as well as good
vocal organs. Knowles, the author, was al
ways great imitator OF shakespeare, and when
writing his plays, not only the characters of
the great dramatist but also the language he
put into their mouths continually haunted
him and TO such an extent that it was diff
cult task for him to avoid transcribing both
and adopting them as his own. In doing SO
he showed more good taste than originality.
We never read one Of his plays or hear it per-
formed without being forclbly reminded oft
grave plagiarism. The character of Julia in
the Hunchback is admirably drawn, and we
frankly confess that very seldom have we wit
messed q better PRESERVATION of it than Miss
Chadock's. II seemed to US that this lady
must have been bred to the stage, so admlra-
Bile was her performance OF this Character
She seemed to understand and appreciate ey-
cry phase Of it, to suit the action to the word
and to express by look, attitude, gesture and
tone OF voice every sentiment and feeling Of
Julia's heart; and there are many conflicting
ones. To show hate, revenge, pride and hateur
at the same time the heart has but one con-
trolling emotion, requires much intellectual
and physical power. But we have not space
to pursue the subject. All the characters in
this play were admirably performed and we
are quite sure no one who took part in it and
acted it so well. will be disposed to find fault
because we have particularly mentioned this
lady's name. We could say many good things
Of all the performers and keep within the
bounds Of truth, but our limited space will not
permit. We believe our citizens feel thankful
for these performances, and highly appreciate
the good conduct of all who have taken part
in them. We trust at some future day they
will again appear upon the boards to hold the
mirror up to nature.