The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-09-22
Kate CIaxtom.

The play of "The Two Orphans" has been
performed in this city half a hundred times,
and in most instances noticeably well. Inc
Uuion Square Company, which first brought it
out in Portland, gave it an exceptionally strong
cast. Those who saw Mr.. Curtis's "Picard
will not soon forget its unctuous huuor. and
at Fanny Marsh's Theatre last night those who
witnessed its first representation welcomed as an
old acquaintance the unusually fine jacques
of Mr.. Daley. The play, too, was exccelient'y
interpreted at the Museum by cast which was
fortunate in the possession of Mr.. Cartls
name and in singularly happy distribution Oh
characters.
Despite its many representations the play
drew very large audience to Fanny Marsh,s
Theatre last evening 1t is a drama of when
people do not easily tire, and the announce
ment that Miss Kate Claxton. who has mace
the part of "Louse,'' the blind girl, peculiarly
her own would appear, was sufficient to I'LL the
house. The Interpretation given was certainly
a good one, though no better than some others
given here. Miss Claxton's Louise" though
disappointment somerespects, was an admira-
b proportional portraiture, showing the re-
suits of long and intelligent study of the part,
aud evincng an exquisite finish in DETAIL Iu-
deed, SO delicate was the Characterization, SO
free from broad and coarse effects, that it failed
to produce the impression upon the audience to
which its merits entitled it, In truth, bold
and striking effects were sacrificed to minute
ness of detail. and the general impression was
less striking than would have been conveyed by
a portraiturs more strongly done and less I'm
ished in particulars. As representation of
blind girl it was simply perfect The nervous
manner, alert bearing keen susceptibility OF the
other senses quickened by the deprivation OF
one, and that appeal for sympathy which is SO
plainly written on the face of the blind, were
admirably portrayed. But she did not convey
the pathetic story of "Louise" any better than
the little actress, Miss Lizzie May Ulmer, who
delighted Portland audiences SO long, nor
SO we'll as Miss Eldridge. at Music Hail.
The 'business'' of the part was perfectly done.
But Miss Caxton was wanting in pathos; and
in the great dramatic. situations, where there is
so good an opportunity to make coup dc
theatre, she hardly rose to the situation. In
the last and most trying scene, that in the old
boet-house on the Seine, she produced one re-
markedly strong effect as she shrank back with
terror-stricken face from the senseless "Hen-
riette," but she let some opp ortunites pass
which should have been improved.
The support was generally good, and, had
one not become accustomed to exceptionally
fine casts in this play, would have made a
strong impression upon the audience. Miss
Lillian Cleaves was a correct "Henriette."
Mrs. Howard Rogers as "La Frochard" that
Partisan bag who is modelled after the "Cho-
uette" of Eugene Sue, was remarkably good,
and gave an impersonation noticeable for its
strength, fidelity and picturesqueness. Her
coarse laugh was triamph of realism, and the
tones Of her voice study of degradation.
Worthy too of high praise was the Jacques"
of Mr.. Daley The vanity of the fop
of the slums, the brutality in which
he gloried as evidence of his strength,
his pride as the scion of family which had
been outlaws for a hundred and fifty years.
and his horrible POPULARITY were set forth artis-
ticaly and well. The rest of the cast calls for
no particular mention.
The play will be given at the matinee this
afternoon, and will receive its last representa-
ton this evelirg. 1t deserves large audiences,
for Miss Claxton's impersonation is certainly
one worthy Of study, and her support better
than that usually given to star on the circuit,