The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-06-21

The Amateurs and Don Caesar de Bazan
The theatre goers naturally draw parable
between the mimic and the professional stage
and in tie comparison, the former is apt to
encounter astute critiscsm. But for.at least
once in our experience in Portlsnd the anna
teurs may safely challenge the praise of the
most critical. As many times as we have seen
the melo-drama of I Don Caesar put on
the stage, both in its musical and dramatic
dress, its representation has never been SUI
passed by the presentation of last night. In
point of costume, musici and the arrangeme mt
of scenery, it was faultless; and though some OF
the performers were open to criticism we can
say that as a tout ensemble twas splendiu
success. The audience was large and fashioha-
BILE, completely filling the floor, and over-run-
ming into the galleries. And first the music:
| the opening chorus by double quartette, was
fit prelude to the play. RtThe Soldiers Chorus
| and the Drinking Song by the friends, before
| the supposed execution, were fine harmonies
fully up to the spirit of the piece. The inter.
poation of an A0e Varam in the scene in the
third act, where Don Caesar discovers himself
to Mariana as her lawful husband, produced
solemn stiffness, and wien the hush of the
ecene was broken, the audience burst into
rapturous applause-the first really hearty
p'audits that were wrung from the spectators.
We have said that the acting was good, but
open to criticism. True; but we must thank
Mr.. SWEET for the admirable manner in which
he portrayed the character of the true hearted
but reckless soldier of. fortune, Don Caesar.
We had some fears of him before an audience.
but his acting was excellent. He had care
fully studied his part, and his sallies of wit,
and satire were given with decided grace.
Miss Peters as Mariana, was always, fully up,
and rendered the difficult character with
charm that won all hearts, and gave her new
hold as histrionne upon the respect of her
friends. Some of her positions were remarka-
bly, effective, especially those in the culminat-
ing scenes in the third act
We wish that Mr. Bacon could have shown
the sly villainy of Don Jose little more vivid
ly, but as whole the part was quite we'll rem
dered. 1t is n difficult role and not to be
judged too lightly. If there was a fault in
MIR. Goods Marquis it was little overdrawn,
but the sycophantic caution was too apparent
to be mistaken Miss Drink water has a natu-
raj aptitude for the drama, and showed it in her
fine rendering of Lazarilo. Charles H., who
is u mere walking gentleman until the play
reaches the third act, ought then to rise to the
character of the finished roue, but Mr.. Smith
hardly came up to the requirements of the po-
sition. A repetition in public will give him
more energy Ability he does not lack The
minor parts were unexceptionable and though
their parts were humble, they were necessary
to the harmony of the drama, and gave it
perfect oneness. %
We really hope we shall sea the Amateurs
at an early day in the same piece again. They
won for themselves great triumph. Perhaps
the audience were little cool at first and neg
lected to give the encouragement so often
needed by amateurs, at the first, but the final
termination reused the enthusiasm and was
worth the whole evenings effort There were
so few defects to point out in the evenings en-
tertainment that we may pronounce it grand
success. Many professional troupe has visit
ed US with trumpheted fame that had not
1.-THE of the merit that the Amateurs and their |
assistants showed last night, and we feel |
high degree OF satisfaction in the result of their
efforts. f5t-f