The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-05-14
Charlotte THOMPSON.

| Last evening Miss Charlotte Thompson ap-
peared at the Museum in dramatization of
Charlotte Bronte's famous novel 'tJane Eyre.
The dramatzation is not happy one. All the
faults ct the novel are emphasized in the play
and those absurdities which one passes by so
easily in reading become intolerable on the
stage. The necessities of dramatic action too
require rapidity Of movement which quite de-
stroys the natural aud orderly development of
the plot. In the story even there is suspicion
that Jane" is from tn, first making eyes at
Rochester" 10 the play she throws herself
plumply at his heal. Rochester himself,
who is boor in the novel, becomes an absur-
dity in the play. All see at once that he would
be kicked out OF the room for his rudensss
should he make his appearance 10 house fire.
quented by civilized men. Perhaps it is with
hope of avertipg this unpleasant result that the
author OF the dramatization has raised him to
the peerage. These faults are inherent ia the
story and the play must suffer from them. The
novel, too, is not really strong in dramatic in
cident. But it does seem as though the play
wright might have made better use of her ma
terials, unsuitable as they are. She certainly
could have avoided the anti-clmaxes
WhASh AAiNA euO CAuoO VI Vic AUS. IOSSlDly GQo
actors are responsible for the buffoone ~ and
absurdity which spoil some of the best situa-
lions. If not, Bret Harte's burlesque may bs
put down as dramatization.
But if one can overlook the absurdities neces
sary or avoidable, which abound 10 the play,
for the sake of good acting, he can draw excs.
lent enter tainment from s"Jane Eyre" Miss
Thompson's Improvisation of the heroine is
noticeable performance, remarkable for its
quiet and sustained power, its intense vet
never exaggerated passion. Little opportunity
is afforded for passionate outbursts like those in
"Camills" or "Miss Mutton" that eectrify an
audience. The Characterization, as interpret
ed by Miss Thompson, is 10 strict accordance
with the Jane Eyre of Charlotte Bronte.
The strong, willful nature of the girl, unsub.
dued by all the great miseries aud petty perse-
cutions of her child life, the dull monetouy of
her years at the charity-schoo and the better
experience of governness, was rendered with
genuine power and simplicity. In the prologue
she gave an admirable portraiture of the girl,
affectionate and passionate, forced into vehe-
ment protest by the grossess indignity when
the cruel taunts of her aunt provoke her to
open rebellion. As the goveroness at Thorn
field Hall she was quite as effective. and was
especially fortunate in portraying the arrogant
temper of the heroine. Miss Thompson's foe
carriage, grace of movement, mobile and ex-
pressive features and rich voice aid materially
in an impersonaton which is informed by
genuine sentiment About the only thing one
has to complaia of is an occasional affectation
in the use of the voice, sudden deepening or
sharpening of tone where no change of feeling
is to be expressed.
"Jane Eyre" will be repeated this evening
and given at the matinee tomorrow. Tomorrow
evening "Mss Mutton" will b. presented, aud
during the engagement "Romeo AMI Julet,''
Camille" and East Lynne" will be played