The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-04-05

MAGGIE MITChELL.-It is astonishing some
times to witness the power that one human be-
ing possesses to influence nation, a commu-
nifty, or party Of individuals, either to an
ger, to revenge, to joy, or to tears. There is
subtle sympathy that seems to exist between
their nature and the masses whose Characters
tics are as wide apart as the poles Curtis in
speaking of the "story-teller," says that. "his
power embraces every age and race, and that
when perfect in his art, in kings palaces, in
squalid cabins, in camps where armies are
gathered, all over the world men, women and
children are listening, laughing and weeping
as the story-teller plies his profession He in
vests everything with new beauty; is eyes to
the blind feet to the lame, faith to the despond-
ent.' So with the character-actor of the pres
ent day, only in q more intense form, since
they leave but little to the imagination. They
cause the prominent character of the story to
stand forth in bold relief and photograph it SO
wildly upon the mind that the memory retains
it as long as life shall last The fault in char
acter-acting is that its surroundings are usual
lv 80 imperfect. The play itself ordinarily
like the play OF Little Barefoot"-is but trash
ont of which the genius Of the actress, building
upon frail fabric, evokes character that at
one moment induces shouts of laughter, at an
other tears, while the other characters are but
stage puppets, who if they possess talent have
no power to show it since their parts are all
made subservient to the principal one and are
apparently thrown in simply to serve as foils.
On a former performance of Little Bare
foot in this city we spoke of it as weak imi-
tation of "Fanchon'' and we find no occasion
to change our opinion. In spite of this what
can be more fascinating than Maggie's acting.
Every motion is full of grace and, in the first
act, you laugh at her till the tears fill your
eyes when she is having her hair dressed pre-
paratory to the ball, and when she endeavoIs
to get chance at the glass; in the second act
you feel as II you too would be delighted to
dance with 80 charming partner and fairly
envy William Peace his waltz with her: in the
third act you appreciate her honesty and gen
erous self-sacrifice in her pardonable deception
of William for Roses sake; while in the la
two acts there is a vein of pathos that is very
touching.
The second act is the best part of the whole
MAY for it is there that the peculiar archness
and piquancy of Miss Mitchell have full scope.
Her whole soul is wrapt up in the spirit of the
dance anu ner ieeb cahnoI heeP quieV i"A . OH
ole moment At the close of this act comes in
a reminiscence of "Fanchon" in the moonlight
tableau and waltz which is very elective
Mr.. Harris as William was very good consider
ing that there is nothing in the part to show an
actors abilities, while the other actors do not
call for any special mention with the exception
perhaps of Mr. jackson as Jenny" who was
sufficiently foolish to suit the character, and
Ryer as Farmer Peace" The play was very
neatly and prettily costumed and the music
excellent. Tonight the "Pearl of Savoy" will
represented sor the first time in this city. AS
play 1t has merit for exceeding either Little
Barefoot or "Fanchon,' being the same thing
as the opera LINDA de Cbamouli." There
was splendid audience present last evening.
of course.