The Portland daily press., 1879-09-13
MUSIC AND DRAMA.


JUN ofNAIOk.
Gus Williams has always been great favor
lite in Portland. Heretofore he has appeared
only in connection with variety entertain
ments. Last night he assumed the position of
star, in play lately written for him, entitled
"Our Senator" a play i'll which j. Adolph
Dinkel Gus Williams a retired German brew
er Of wealth is induced by firm of land own
ers and pension agents, and the ambitious
spouse of Mr. Dinkel himself to run for Sena-
tor against his inclination. Mr.. Bruce one of
tine pension firm, and Mr. Dinkle also get mix
ed up with Russian Duchess, an adventures
which calls out lot of fun of the ''Pink Dom
inc" order. Of course Mrs Dinkel gets the
Senatorship in the end
The play is good deal in style like the
mighty Dollar and the former play combm-
ed and is disposed to show up many of the sly
tricks and ways of politicians and congressman
Interspersed are Gus Williams songs,and reci-
tations always taking, and generally in excel
lent TASTE The piece is somewhat tallky at
times, and sometimes it seems pity that so
good a company should not have more chance
to display what appear to be in them. Miss
Florence Baldwin was a very striking Louie,
the adventures, i'll person and style, and Mr..
Van Duran an excellent Mrs. Dinllel.
Mr.. Williams was remarkably funny as MI.
Dinkel, and the dry manner i'll which he de-
livered his jokes kept the house i'll constant
ripple of laughter. AS an instance of his many
bright sayings he spoke of horses pedigree as
"got by difficulty out of a stable" But cricis-
ing such a piece would be the dissection of a
farce in three acts. Go and see it and take
two hours of rest from care, and enjoy yourself.
Don't forget the matinee to-day, and evening
performance.
JOSEPH f. WHEELoCK.
On Monday evening next, Mr.. Joseph
F. Wheelock, one of the few leading actors OF
the country, strictly speaking, will appear at
Portland Theater in "Enoch Arden" Mr..
Wheelock's last performance in Portland is dat
ed April 1878, when he took light comedy
part in "Baby''. But Mr.. Wheelock to be
seen at his BEST needs something more than
such character as he then assumed, There
is naturalness about him, an earnestness,
that make of this actor an artist. He is not the
actor in an emotional or romantic play, or in
a spirited drama; he is the character itself.
His st. Pierre in ''The Vile" is grand; it
thrills the spectator to the backbone His
Claude and Romeo are full of the life and
spirit of youth that change to pathos which
draws tears from the eyes of strong men. Like
the best things of life, the best actors improve
with age Mr.. Wheelock is q comparatively
young man but advancing years seem to leave
no traces ON his person. They merely mellow
some of his already rich tones, and give ease
to his movements, and grace and finish to his
style, that joined to his robust qualities, and the
attractions Of his elocution, make him, as we
have said, one of the few leading actors in the
country. OF course he has his faults. We do
not claim perfection for him. But he tries,
and tries hard to free himself from all blem-
ishes and with a success that those who saw
him some years ago and now cannot fail to APP
preciate at glance. From one of the most
abused men in the profession by critics who
knew better, he has become the head of the
leading theatre of New York (Which soon opens
its doors to the public the Madison Square.
In Enoch Arden Mr. Wheelock will find full
scope for his best qualities as an actor, and the
sale of seats is already large. Other plays will
also follow. Mr.. Wheelock will be supported by
Miss Helen Tracy, and, tits announced, an eff
cious company.
OWLS OF NEW YORK.
Next Monday evening Mr.. Albeit w. Akin
of New York, and Miss May Eliot, will appear
at Music Hail. Mr.. Aiken first appeared on
the boards of the old Museum in Troy, as little
Tom in Chick of the Woods" He was con-
nected with the Old Broadway under Eddy's
management about 1856, and afterwards he
was at Niblo's During the war he played at
the Howard Boston, Travelled successfully
with Alice Kingsbury in 1864. He has more
recently travelled as star in his own dramas:
Later in the week "Cinnabor, or the story of
Mine" will be produced. A ''superb COM
pany'' is announced on the bills. Monday the
fowls of New York; romantic realistic
drama will hold the boards
NOTES.
The tickets for the Ideal Pinafore Co., are
selling fast at Stockbridges' at rs cents and 81.