The Portland daily press., 1868-05-20
The Drama in Portland.

There is an old and well-worn adage "a
prophet is without honor in his own country"
Within the last few years this adage has be-
come obsolete, we trust, in Portland. We can
remember when any entertainment was an
nounced to be given by artists of this city
'beggarly account of empty boxes was the
result, while a concert by foreign artists was
sure of success. While we would not depre-
cate any first-class performance by Italian or
German artists, yet we would foster by all
means il our power any signs of genius or tai
ent among our own people. We claim that
the Natural Seaport must eventually become
great city. Tn when our Ogdensburg
road is completed a line OF ocean steamers
will convey the products of the great West 10
European ports and vast amount of wealth
and industry flow in upon us, doubling, per-
haps trebling, our present population. So
sure have we become of this predestined re-
suit that one of our most far-seeing and opu-
lent citizens has already constructed an i'm
mense hotel for the convenience of the hume
IouS guests soon 10 seek temporary residence
within its palatial walls. The comfort of these
strangers having been attended to, should we
not endeavor to provide amusement for them
seioo' HSolh anu again nave UOJu UIG press
and individuals urged the construction of
Of neat theatre which should at least
furnish all the conveniences for a good
dramatic company while at the same time its
auditorium should be Clearly and comfortable
In order that this theatre may be built, how
ever, it is necessary that the builder should
have reasonable guarantee that the specula-
zion would prove successful. 1t is certain
that there is large summer travel through
Portland. 1t is reasonable to expect that the Og
densburg Road will be built, and it is also
certain that those strangers who visit us must
be housed and fed, consequently there is
a fa!r guarantee tIsa+-tl,o- hotel will he
successful. But the same rule does not hold
good in regard to a new theatre. 1t does not
follow that our visitors when here must go to
The theatre, although a majority of them
would. During great portion of the year
ths bulk of the support Of the Opera House
must come from ourselves. We must prove,
by our support of good theatrical companies
who come here, that it is for the interest of
some capitalists 10 build the theatre and the
theatre will be built.
We have among us now, at Deering Hall,
dramatic company far above the average of
those who for the past five or six years have
visited us. Its manager, Mr.. Murray is not
only an able actor himself, but he is leaving no
stone unturned to please the people by en-
gagements with well known stars. We are
pleased to hear that he is doing well and
reaping the benefit of his labors But we
can give him still greater encouragement by
even fuller houses and he will make proper
tionably greater efforts.
it is well known that a club of talented
ladies and gentleman exists in Portland who
have during the past fortnight presented two
dramas to the public in a manner that would
have done credit to any professional company.
Their success has been due chiefly to Miss
feters who worked with unha gging energy to
have them performed with a care for detail
rarely seen in a lady, and while her school oc
cupied her time during every day. So we'll
did she succeed and so ably did the ladies and
gentleman assisting her perform their parts
that gentlemen, who had seen "the Spirit of
rs" performed at Selwyn's Theatre in Boston,
said at once that the average performance was
better here than there. This is great praise
for an amateur club, as the corps of actors at
SelwynS is one of the finest in the country,
while the house is the most perfect and the
resources of the establishment surpassed by
none.
Now, then, fellow-citizens, let your hearty
support on Wednesday evening prove that it
is only necessary for home talent to show itself
worthy and Portland will pledge it in bum
per, that industry and perseverance shall
always meet with a fitting reward and that
Boston is not the only city which never fails
to hold out its strong right hand of encourage
ment to lis own children. MERCUTIo.