The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-04
Olivia a, the Portland Theatre,

Olivia ut the Portland Theatre
The Portland Theatre, as we must now call
1t, was opened under its new management last
evening" Mr.. Curtis is to be congratulated up
on the success OF that opening; for one of the
best known and most pleasing actresses on the
American stage appeared in one of the most
notable of modern dramatizations before one of
the largest and most brilliant audiences ever
gathered within the walls of our theatre.
Not little fault can be found with
OLIVIA; but one is SO relieved to find that the
exquisite story of the Vicar and his fortunes is
not spoiled in the re-telling, that the good Doc
tor Primrose and his delightful family preserve
80 much of their charm when counterfeited on
the stage;-so surprised that the idyl so readily
lends itself to dramatic treatment; SO pleased
that the play wright has used much of the
language of the author and succeeds in convey
ing so distinct SAVIOR of the style, that the
bemishes of the play are readily overlooked or
| pardoned. We expect in dramatization to
find the action hurried, the critical situations
strongly emphasized, the light and shade
heightened and deepened. The wonder is that
80 eisurely tale as The Vicar of Wakefield, a
story depending for interest SO much upon the
| y
style and his inimitable humor, should suffer so
little when shaped into drama. The work
has been done by loving and cunning hand
Certain liberties have been taken with the plot,
| 1t is true, but these are made necessary by the
laws of dramatic construction. They are most
ly of anticipation; the course of the narrative is
somewhat changed, and in one or two instances
the last becomes first and the first last-but for
that we have far higher authority than the
canons of dramatic literature. The chief fault
to be found, and that is doubtless unavoidable,
is that the delicate charm of Goldsmith's ex-
quisite humor is wanting. But the play so
much betters expectation and contains so little
which conflicts with our ideals that we pass
over this with less regret than we could have
believed possible.
The Characterization is not unnaturally, to
some extent disappointing. The same obiec-
ton obtains to dramatizing a classic that ap-
plies to illustrating favorite novel. We
usually have in our minds eye quite different
pictures of the men and women of the ideal
world than the author has created for us from
those furnished by the artist or the actor. 1t is
rarely that genius appears who completely
satisfies our ideal. This disappointment, per-
haps unavoidable, was felt in considerable
degree last night. Yet Miss Davenport certain
ly fills out the broad lines Of Goldsmith's pic
ture, for she has the 1axuriancy of beauty
and ''the open, sprightly aud commanding fea-
lures" with which he endowed DIVA. Her
impersonation too is characterized by grace,
delicacy and tact, and informed throughout by
careful and intelligent study In the lighter
portions of the play she was charmingly natu.
raj and unaffected. If any fault is to be found
it is in the serious passages. Her pathos does
not always impress one as genuine Too often
the fine art that concsals art is wanting. She
always knows what should be done, but is not
always happy in doing it. Still the character
ization was notably good, and in the opening
partsof the third act very fine. Mr. Mackey's
Vicar was an agreeable surprise. 1t narrowly
missed excellence, and was SO good that one
could not help regretting it had not bsen lit
tie better. The fne humor of Goldsmiths
great and lovable creation was not conveyed,
it is true, but there is the fault Of the play
wright who has. apparently, not even sought to
give it, for the Vicar of the play is rather a
lacrymose character; the simplicity of
character, righteousness of language,
sweet courtesy and christian charity
of Doctor Primrose are duly empha-
sized, but his shrewd and kindly bumor is
strangely neglected. That indeed is the chief
fault of the the play. The comedy part is nee
essarily made mora pronounced, the pathos is
preserved-it cannot be heightened-but the
delicate humor is absent The aroma of the
wine escapes in the pouring from old bottles
into new.
The support on the WHOLE bettsrsd expecta-
ton. Mrs. Waldron was received with cor
dalty that must have been gratifying to her
a warmth of welcome that our people seldom
fail to extend to familiar and kindly remem.
bered face. Her Sophia is certainly not the
soft and allurng" Sophia of Goldsmith, but
is intelligently interpreted. The Squire Thorn
hill of Mr.. Knowles is not a finely drawn char.
acterization. but correctly done and praise
worthy for its moderation and wise restraint.
Mrs. Primrose is acceptably done by Mrs.
Tannehill. Miss Stella Congdon is a lively
Polly, but rather more rustic than necessary.
Mr.. Prices Burchell is wanting in vigor, but
by the kiss which he gave Sophia as the curtain
went down on the second act made amends for
many of his shortcomings That parting
scene was good bit of acting. The children,
Dick and Bill, are pleasantly done by the little
Misses Ella Quigly and Lille Wadron, who
look quantity pretty in their old-time COS
tunes.
The introduction Of the latest pattern, of
trunk in one of the scenes, which cannot be
said to aid the illusion. Indeed, it provoked
a gig gle from some of the giddy spectators