The Portland daily press., 1879-04-29
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
CIVIL WAR.


tie last evening to witness Mr.. Edward Ches-
leigh's play of Civil War, which was presented
for the first time, on any stage, on that occa-
sion.
A brief review of the plot will prove interest
Ing Mrs. Graham, q New York society lady,
her daughter Mabel and niece Annie, Mr..
Irving, retired merchant, and Mr.. Reid, an
English tourist, are visiting the Glen House
and are afterwards joined by Mrs. Grahams
son Fuller. an army officer, land comrades A
party of Harvard students also arrive AZ the
Glen at the same time A pedestriapI party OF
the Grahams and Mr. Reid ascends MT. WASH
ineton but Mr.. Knightbrook, anlarmy comrade
of Fuller Graham's. can only GO as far as tne
foot of the mountain as he has been ordered
away. The party return Witnout Mapei WIZ
has been lost in q storm, and hnigntolooA
CALAMITY swesrs he will save ner OF perlsn II
the attempt. He succeeds in finding Mabel ana
carries her to the Halfway House where the
Harvard boys are making merry. Mrs. era.
ham Is not so grateful to the rescuer OF ner
daughter but that she can listen to doupts o.
his parentage from Mr.. Irving. Knlgntptook
demands an explanation when Irving declares
he is his father Knightbrook repudiates' him
and rushes off while the regiment marches
down the avenue on the way to the fron..
Finally the evening of the review of Sherman's
army irving introduced Knightbrook to his
own mother on the banks of the Potomac, and
a grand reconciliation tkass place. Mrs.. Gra-
ham is won over and Mabel and Knightbrook
made happy.
We can only give first impressions this
morning, and even these must be briefly stated,
owing to the pressure on our columns. Ihe
dialogue of Civil War is we'll sustained, and, at
times, really clever. Its humOr depends upon
Mr.. Reid, the English tourist-who is "always
wanting to know you know, with the excep-
ton of the scene in the Hallway House, where
Kuightbr0ok asks for stimulant to revive
Mabel, and every student produces a flask.
The dramatic element centres IN knightbrook's
contempt for the father who has disowned him
so many years, Msbers avowal of love, and the
march of the regiment to the war, as Mabel
falls faiDting to the floor. The motive of the
play consists IN this: that, as Knightbrook
says himself, birth and wealth should form the
sides of the ladder. and brains and energy the
rounds. A man should be judged by what he
is, and gentleman not by his clothes, or his
surface manner, but by those qualities that go
to make Christian gentleman.
The piece to be seen at its best, we can easily
see, requires large stage, and the TACT tnat
those features requiring great deal OF room
were brought out at Portland Theatre 80 well
last night, speaks highly in favor Of the au-
thor's conce ption, Given on Boston Theatre
stage, with opportunity to display the evou-
tons of the military as they approach the
house; the Glen House with it's broad pazzas
and band welcoming arrivals with music; the
Harvard boys with their college songs; and
fioally the banks of the Potomac with Wash.
ington in the distance, and as much excitement
would be created as 10 plays like the Relief OF
Lucknow, or Saratoga We mention these
dramas because one represents the military,
the Other the society play, OF when TWO species
Civil War is combination. Again, Utmost an
people are Interested 10 the White Mountains
ana the Glen House, for they are as familiar 10
the people who patroDize the theatre as their
own homes. We therefore think Mr.. Ches-
leigh is to be congratulated on his WORK.
The actors last night are entitled to thanks
for the manner in which they acquitted them
selves. Mrs. Pennoyer, Misses Wakeman apd
Bradley, Messrs. McMsnus, Curtis and FarKs
| were Ill excellent, and Mr.. Chesleigh was very
easy and Unaffected, while, in his great scene
with Miss Wakeman and Mr.. McManus, ne
was strong and natural. Mr. Chesleigh was
called before the curtain at the end OF the
fourth act Mr.. Curtis placed the drama on
the stage in fne style, Mr.. Richards new scen-
erv proving very attractive The house should
be crowded the rest of the week.
LAILA.
The beautiful cantata of Laila viii be
brought out ct the Second Parish tomorrow
and Thursday evenings, with chorus of hfty
children. Miss jenkins will assn the part OF
Laila and Miss Ida Tarbox that of the Fairy
Queep. Ga Thursday the ladies will bold their
annual sale and give the usual May-Day din
ner. 1t will be remembered this part OF the
cantata is this: A band OF children MaylDg
are approached by beggar wonar. The
| children refuse her except Lailn who rtbukes
the others, welcomes the beggar end invites her
to the feast. Lailn afterwards becomes LOST IN
the woods While seeking escape she IS met
BY a band OF fairies who urge her to forget her
| friends and go to their grotto. This they fail
to do. The children search for Laila when
| IT. hon to hon hv the fAlriaa who. 1T
seems, were the former wretched beggars child
rem, showing that goodness is always rewarded.
| Lsila is then crowned Queen.
MAY DAY CARNIVAL.
! There will be o great rush to City Hall
Thursday to witness the May Day Carnival gol
up by the ladies of Bosworth Relief Corps. The
singing, braidipg of the May-pole, fancy drill
and tableaux will all prove highly attractive
| The following will be the sst of the drama oil
the May Queen:
| Flora. .............M Miss Carrie Perry
! Queen. Miss Nellie Sawyer
Spring, MISS ManIe Jones
Sumner .......... ....... Miss Gertie Williamson
| Autumn. ....................... Miss Gertle Lant
Winter. ."........... ....'.'..,..miss Tnno oieoi
There are to be violin solos by Miss Berti'
Webb and others. Messrs. Shaw and Colby
| and Miss Millikep and Mrs, Pratt will assist II
the vocal parts.
Stanley McKenna's play of Whims is vel
spoken of BY many of our exchanges The com
pany is advertised as frst-class, composed o
recognized artists of merit, well-known ability
and reputation The tickets are now ready a
| Music Hall.
| NOTES.
Everybody will want to see Charlotte Thomp
| son next week.
The New York Tribune closes semi-seriou
editorial, "Dtck Dsadeye's Devotons," il
which the odd mixing of "tinafore' and cbUrcl
services is criticised by saying: To-day tn
choir Ia fashionable church fulils the sam
function as the bear in beer garden; 1t q,
tracts the crowd and it naturally advertises il
self accordingly 3"
Mr.. VIM. 81 Sherwood ia gorg to give s
piano recital at Rossni Hall Saturday evening
assisted by Mrs. E. 81, Allen. soprano, of BIS
| ton Tickets at Stock brdg-'5