The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-03-24
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
JULIET AND EyADNE.

once mote make 1t popular is an actress. or
actor, capable Of ass uming the leading roles
aud support that shall have some copcention
and the ability to portray that conception,
of the characters they represent Ia Ireomar
Miss Anderson wss fottunate in scoring an
actor who could identify himself with the bar.
barian chief, and, if be failed TO realize his
audiences ideal of Romeo, and bis elocution
and acting were no. all that was desirable in a
Colonna, still we do rot remember travelling
company that possessed a better Mercutio,
Iypait, Friar Laurence, or Nurse. Not that
'ney were great, but they not only did not Of
Tend bat were acceptable. Mr.. Norton had the
misfortune in his Romeo 10 contend with the
audiences recollection Of the best Romeo on
the American stage, that Of Mr.. Joseph f.
Wheelock. 1t is we'll known that comparisons
are odous to actors but this was comparison
that, in city where Mr. Wheelock bad so
long made his home, was inevitable, and it ia
no small compliment to be able to say that the
former succeeded in interesting his hearers.
MI; Norton labors under the misfortune of
JACK OF variety OF tone, pitch of voice that
becomes somewhat monotonous, AMI an absence
OF mobility of feature. He possesses, however
a good stage presence and appears earnest ia
his acting. The character of Ingomar con-
cealed some Of his weaknesses and only re-
vesled his stronger characteristics.
That the full scope of al actresses abilities
cannot be judged by one impersonaton is ex-
emplified in the case of MISS Anderson. In
speaking of her Parthenia we considered her
lacking IN emotional power and pathos. Her
Evadne displayed both in marked degree She
affected many of her audience to tears in the
scene where she pleaded with her brother not
TO quarrel with her lover and, in the scene with
vlceuz that preceded, the dignity with which
sne pore MS emitting irony, the self respect, dis
high to bursting as he spoke of his approaching
marriage with Olivia, her self forgetfnlness, all
exhibited power and pathos that W. r. exceed.
ingly effective. Bat there Is not that maguet-
ism IN ner emotion that moves the stole. 1t
cannot be called false emotion or false pa,hos
because the actress is evidently, for the time
being, the character she represents. 1t is not
Mary Anderson that is p eadiDg, it is Evadne,
It is not Mary Anderson that, heart broken,
Liens to VIceL zio's tauDts, it is the daughter
OF that Colonns whose stern virtues and noble
Character made him the guardian of line of
kings, and who shows that she has her ances.
tors great qualities. And it Is this appreciation
OF all these great virtues, and what appears to
De certain nobility OF nature in herself, which,
Joined with her beauty and grand pre- ence in
great situations, makes Mary Anderson unap.
proachable BY those actresses we now know on
Tue stage. There is certain sternness in her
features and manner at times that is wonder
dully becoming to her, and that dwarf all else,
Such the scene where. eliDging to her fathers
statue, she filings forth her arms with the i'm
periousness OF princess aud dares the king 10
approach her. She manages her tall 1.-THE fip-
1re, and her long arms, with wonderful skill
We have heard gawkiness of gesture and posi-
Gi0D, and crudity attached to her but Wa fail
to see where the business of the criticism lies
1t may have been true in the past: it Certainly
Is not now. Mr. Jordan acted the part Of
Ludovco, the traitor and consprator, with
much force, and if he had but possessed better
stage presence and voice his impersonation
would have proved lore effective.
We have devoted so much space to Evadne
that We must pass over Miss Anderson's
Juliet with brief comment. While her
balcony scene" was pleasing and there were
many features of the assumption that were
exceedingly good it was more uneven per.
torrance than either of her other characterize
tons. Her scene with the NIrsa was very
Charming bit OF comedy, bat her great scene
that in which she takes the poison--whe the
actress seemed to actually realize the horrors of
the situation she nearly ranted. This is fault
which Miss Anderson displayed several times
both as Juliet and Evadne She started at too
high pitch of voice and was prevented from
taking breath at the proper intervals, thus di-
viding hsr words at the climax in a manner
which marred the force and intensity of the
situations. She does not make Juliet the weak
love-sck girl so often portrayed, but woman
OF strong affection who will take any course
that will keep her true to Romeo, and this COL
ceptiou We prefer even if it does possess faults
of execution. Her costumes were very beauti-
full as the daughter of Capulet, and in fact the
costumes of the company throughout were Leaf
and FRESH
We hope that Miss Anderson will prove sof.
fciently pleased with the result of her first visit
to Portland 10 come again at 10 late day.
THR sERPENT's STING.
The cast for the ''Serpert's Sting" at Music
Hall this and tomorrow evenings, will bs as
f iows:
Edgar Wilton. Observation-Disclosures. George A. Hill
Jasper Morris. ....................W W. T. Dulaney
Michael Murphy. Geo. w. Shields
CAPTAIN Wilson. ......................C b. Rhodes
Sam Slap. .:....................... Edwin Murphy
Dan Sebastian Harry Blanchard
Mary Merton. Miss May Wyncoop
sally Treat. .................M Miss Sadie Dulaney
NOTES.
The Dramatic News of this week contains
poor wood-cut Of Fanny Marsh, and also
states that she will probably be the lessee of
Portland Theatre next season. Frank Curtis
thinks she won't if he knows it.
Mr.. Fred ter Linden, musician well known
here, came to grief in New Orleans about three
weeks stree. He had been travelling with a
concert troupe about eight weeks, and after
reaching New Orleans be was paid two weeks
salary, and informed that his services were no
longer necessary. The company then went to
Texas and Mr. ter Linden made his way back
to New York, minus six weeks salary, but had
an abundance of experience.
Dollie Bdweil will appear in w. E. Barnes
drama, Only Farmers Daughter" 90 the
New England circuit KIT month
Sslvini will play at Booths Theatre, under
Boucicault's management, next season
Genevieye Ward writes US she was much
pleased with her Portland receptions aud shall
visit US again next season,
Brignoli says that be will never return TO
America.
George Rignold, FREQ Thorne and others
have taken a long lease of the New Princes
Theatre, Melbourne.
Detroit Free Press says Anna D cknson says
people go to the thatre to be amused and Cd
tettained, and not to go home with sad and
heavy hearis. Annals stage cateer, 1t will be
remembered, was brief ons.
Golfers Celebrated Case'' combination,
John T. Raymond, Robson and Crane, Nine.
Modjeska, Bernard Macauley, and Tony Pas
tors company are among the coming tourists in
the New England circuit.
Mr. Edward G SWEET, formerly of this city,
has written drama in fonr acts, which Mr..
Frank Curtis is so pleased with be has de-
termIned to bring it out at Portland Theatre,
May LIST. The fist three acts are laid at the
Glen House.
Tickets are ready for the Pnafore perform
ances at Portland Theatre to be given by the
Boston company tomorrow and Wednesday
evenings.