The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-05-06
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
JANE EYRE.

Miss Charlotte Toompson's "Jane Eyre is
the same Admirable Characterization that de-
lighted our people last season. 1t has possibly
gained something in freedom of movement; it
has Certainly lost nothing of its passion, its
strength, and it's delicacy. Miss Thompson,
who does so many things we'll, does, "Jane
Eyre surprisingly well, bringing to its inter-
probation broad and noble conception of the
authors design, and playing the part with
sympathetic and loving intelligence. In vigor,
breadth, and correctness of drawing, in delica-
cy OF shading, in depth and richness of color
in all the qualities indeed, which go to make
up dramatic picture, 1T is one of the finest
representations which the stage to-day affords.
The self-contained manner, the firmness of
will which perilously approaches obstinacy,
the elasticity of temper, and that ardor and
intensity of passion which more than any
thing else won Rochester's love-all the
qualities that the author has taught US to
associate with Jane-are brought out
with great distinctness and dramatic fire. Miss
Thompson enters into the spirit of the part
with entire abandonment, and brings to the
aid of thorough training in her art, sympa-
thetic understanding, mobile and sensitive
features, rich and melodious voice, and rare
capacity Of expression. In the prologue the
half-grown, selfish, self.willed girl, made sui
len by petty prosecutions, and driven a. last to
retaliate upon her tormentors, is presented
with wonderful fidelity. In the play proper
she has developed into woman, shy and sus-
picious ssill-her early training has taught her
that-but preserving her buoyaucy of temper
and having gained confidence in her own
STRENGTH, and grown to capacity for passion.
ate affection that her reserve only wells and
does not hide. So faithful is the portraiture
that we seem to see the girl Charlotte Bronte
drew. In the play, as in the novel, Jane Eyre
seems reduced ia her lowest terms, to be of the
kind Of woman who goes into the police court
and perjures herself in order to save from mer-
tied punishment the man that has been arrest
ed for beating her.
There is only one notable defect In the repre-.
sentation, and that is Miss Thompson's mis-
fortune. not her fault. Jane Eyre is repre-.
scented as very "plain", though it was said
some thought her pretty when her face lighted
up in animated conversation. Miss Thompson
does not succeed in looking ''plan'' at any
time. 1t may be though that In the play Jane
is always animated. The large audience at
the Portland Theatre last mig ht certainly did
not complain Of this defect, but seemed TO de-
light in 1t, and called the actress before the
curtain at the end of each act.
Of the support the less said the moSe charit-
able the comment. 1t does seem that associa-
ton with so accomplished an actress ought to
be "a liberal education" in acting. Apparent.
~ it is not.
This evening Miss Thompson appears at the
Portland Theatre in Camille, which affords
her opportunity for one of her fsest delinea-
tiOns. Her conception of Marguerite Gauthier
differs markedly from that entertained by
most actresses, and perhaps approaches nearer
to Dumas idea of tn Dame AuI CdnelEias
than do the others.
NOTES.
j. M Hill, Den Thompsons manager says:
Newspaper advertising does pay, and hand
sonely, too, If you have any thing that is
worth advertising. l say newspaper adver-
Using, for it is the most valuable means Of
reaching the public When a man pays five
cents for paper, he wants the worth Of his
money, and he reads all there is in the paper
to get it,
"Uncle John" Robinson, the veteran show
maj, sent little Mexican pony, 10 days old,
and about the size of Newfouu dland dog,
across the footghts to Clara Morris, when she
was called out after the third act of ARTICLE
II" at the Cincinnati Grand Opera House,
Thursday evening. Sue named it Cora at first,
but, 1t being explained that 1t wasn't that kind
OF horse, she concluded to call it John Robin
SOD.