The Portland daily press., 1869-10-08

compauy at Deering Hall has again brought
nm a subject which was discussed in the COL
umps of the Press and Advertiser last fall, and
which we should not think proper to expatiate
upon if it was not for the course pursued by
the management of that company.
| 3 In the Nation of July 9th, 1865, our readers
will find an able article on critics and criticism
as applied to authors, which may as properly
De applied to the theatre and theatrical artists
1h TINS article the writer takes the ground that
IL Is not necessary that the critic should be an
author, or an actor in order to judge wisely
| OF the writings, or performances, of others,
any more than that Amphitryon should be
able to fry an omelette, or Lucullus to concoct
| merangue before he ventures to find fault with
| Soyers cotelettes a Ia Reforme He takes the
| ground that in this country there is as much
''shoddy" acting, or literature, disposed OF un-
| der false pretences as of any other kind of de-
ceptive goods, and this, too by system of I'M
blushing puffery which is intended to supply
a want of honest merit The critic should
| Judge impartialIy, no matter whether his sub
| ject is poor, handsome, or ugly, Presidents
brother or sister, or the second cousin of q
| New York Alderman.
We have often argued if the theatre is in
tended to amuse-even if we lay aside the old
theory that its business is ito hold the mirror
up to nature"-why not endeavor to "pander"
to the taste of cultivated people as we'll as 10
vitiated and uneducated one? If such plays
as Dora" are to be presented to an audience,
why not produce them with the parts filled by
competent actors? The comic element is not
intended to be the feature of this play. Then
why cast comedians for the several characters?
And why bestow part upon any actor who
has not proper conception of the authors
ideas? z
When an actor or actress has achieved a rep
utation in o community, and has become pop
ular, it should be his or her aim to sustain that
reputation. Portland people have b.en gulled
and humbugged SO often by musical and the
atrical managers that it is very difficult mat
ter to draw out the educated and refined class
es of the city at the present time of writing.
Kate Reynolds is not alone guilty Of this
mistake. There are other actors, who rank
even higher 10 the estimation of the public,
who have done the same thing An eminent
actor once openly boosted that Portland was
irstrate place to give rehearsals in before open
ing in the larger cities.
When company visits this city, the mem
bers of which do not pretend to greatness
whose performances have been chiefly confin-
ed to country towns, and of whom very little
is expected, and several of them disappoint
that expectation by showing some theatrical
ability, even in small way, it is right and
proper that criticism should be as favorable as
possible, and thus help the youthful members of
the profession to climb the ladder that leads to
fame. But when an actor of repute announces
that he she intends to give series of per-
formances, supported by a (so-called) first class
company and draws ION the strength of their
reputation and their public advertisements a
large and appreciative audience, and then fills
the cast with actors who, whatever their abil-
tiles in another branch of the profession, are
incompetent to the acting of the parts assign |
ed them in a domestic drama like "Dora;''
when no effort is made to keep order but, on
the other hand, the crowd in the galleries is
allowed to keep up perfect pandemonium
from the beginning to the end of the principal
play; when indecent illusions in the after
piece are permitted which are received by the
rowdies with evident delight; when a piano is
considered sufficient orchestra; and when, |
finally, because the gentlemen of the press ex- |
press dissatisfaction at the course pursued, the
management feel called upon to excite public |
sympathy by means Of cards and handbills-
in which Miss R. states that neith- |
or she or her manager is respon- |
sible for the order in the house; when |
she makes the statements that the present |
company was as good one as ever supported |
her; that she couldn't get the band because it |
was engaged, and that the music was too diff |
cult for them to learn; and finally appealed to |
the galleries, "from whom comes the real, |
honest criticism" (Which is true in some |
occasion alluded toy for support in the place of |
one of the finest audiences ever seen in the |
orchestra stalls and parquet Of a theatre in
Portland--all this instead of awaiting the is
sue of the second night (Which We are pleased
to learn was much more satisfactory than the |
first) it looks as if honest criticism was neither
desired or expected.
For Miss Reynolds as lady, whose person
al reputation is beyond cavl, we have the
highest respect; for her reputation as a come
1enne, in light sparkling comedies, we bow
% the popular verdict; for her ability as an &C.
,ress in plays requiring great tragic power, or
luiet pathos, we have only to say that we
nave yet to see it. And in conclusion we
would inform our readers that as long as we
are connected with the public press we shall
give our honest opinions upon all matters
theatrical or musical to which our attent ion is
called.