The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-11-26
Unknown.

The weather last evening was not encourag-
ing to theatre-goers, but fair audience gath
red at the Portland Theatre to see Mr.. John A.
Stevens in his own play, unknown" 1t is
safe to say the houss will be larger this ev en-
ing.
unknown" is a singular play, displaying
many strong features and not few weak
nesses. The motive is old and worn. A will
and two lives stand between scoundrel and
princely fortune. He seeks to destroy them, is
triumphant for time, and is finally foiled.
The hero and heroine come to their own and
the wicked are punished. But the plot is de-
veloped with surprising novelty of incident
No story out OF a fairy book is more sxtrava-
gantly absurd. The story, however, is effec.
lively told, the situations wonderfully strong,
the climaxes admirably worked up. The Ian
guage though sometimes trivial and some
times stilted is generally bright aud forcible.
The humor is Of the mildest, bat seemed to
tickle the audience. They had heard many Of
the j3sts before and SO knew just when to
laugh. That saved them a great deal of
trouble. The piece as a wbole,is one sure to
capture general audience. 1t is strongly dra-
matte and the interest never flags.
The piece has one advantage over many
others that now hold the stage. It is not a
one.part play. All the principal characters are
strongly individuaiized and have enough to do
This is especially pleasant because Mr.. Stew
ems has good company. His own part is one
calling for the display Of intense passion, a
part that continually hovers on the verge of
extravaganza and is only saved from passing
the line By his fine tact and genuine power. It
is admiralty suited to his robust, virile method,
and seems to emphasize the finest qualities of
his acting. A batter study of dementia is rare
ly given on the stage. The wandering glance
of the eye, the tremble of the lips, the inces-
SAINT nervous movement Of the muscles, the
sudden change Of mood, the uncertainty of
speech, and confusion of thought were all por-
trayed with painful fidelity. The character
ization was giveu with largeness and sinceri-
ty that entitle it to high rank among dramatic
creations.
In the support MI. J. P. Clark was efficient
as the wicked guardian. Mr. Frank J.mison
gave notably good int rpretaton of the cruel
and INSCRIPTIONS lawyer, acting with spirit
and praisworthy fidelity to nature, Mr..
CnarieS Norfls, VINO was warmly greeted, as
he appeared on the stage, played the lover in
his old-tims manner. Mr. W. H Bailey made
the best stage-sailos that has been seen in
these parts for many a day. Mr.. George f.
Ketchum's Jimmy was a broadly and genu-
inely humorous piece of acting. His limitations
Of animals delighted the audience, and they
seemed quite unable to get enough of him. Mr..
7. q. Graham was al amusing Irishman. Miss
Lottie Church as "Bessie Merribright," the
sister Of the "Unknown' lin this play the hero
and heroine are brother and sister) was arch
and pretty, and gave her lines with intelligence
and discrimination. Miss Helen Vincent was
sufficiently saucy Louise"
The play will hold the boards the rest Of the
week and will be given at Thanksgiving
matinee.