The Portland daily press., 1880-12-11
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
DEACON cRANKETr,

Portland theatre-goers are proverbially cold
and hard to please, and play must possess
striking merit, and at the same time it must
be acted exceedingly we'll, in order to excite
them to much applause. Rarely is an audi
ence aroused to such enthusiasm as was the
case last evening when Mr. Habberton's new
drama of deacon Crankett'' was produced at
New Portland Theatre. So much has been
written, and well written. about the piece
such copious extracts from exchanges have
been published in these columns-that it does
not seem as if we could add anything to the
unanimous verdict of the press elsewhere
That Mr. Habberton's play has faults it would
be absurd to deny. Its construction is faulty
from the manner in which the situations are
forced on the spectator; as, for inst ance, when
the detective rushes in, at the close of the
first act, to arrest Egbert Gray. Not but what
the sit alton is proper enough, but it is not
gradually worked up to. 1t strikes one sud-
denly. Then again, although we do not
agree with Mr.. Winters scathing diatribe
(while we admit the scene is entirely in har-
mony with the idea of New England dea-
cons household) we must acknowledge we do
not like the reading of the Bible in the scene
of family devotions. 1t offends the better
taste of community. 1t is not intended to
offend. 1t is in its very essence religious. And
yet it jars little.
The play can bear this critic sm because it is
throughout SO sweet and clean and wholesome
A sweeter, or purer, is not on the stage today.
1t exhales the perfume of the Maine woods
1t breathes an atmosphere as delicious and
-, %I.c% -
logue is full of quaint humor that is never
forced. Its sentiments are brave and manly,
and its villain is proven no villain from the
power of redemption that comes from the no.
biity OF those with whom he is thrown in
contact.
The plot we have already given in entenso.
The acting was admirable from the most inn
portant to the smallest character. Mr.. Ben
Maginley-who appeared here with the Ran
kins last season as the judge in the Dantes-
found in Deacon Crankett character that
fitted him like glove. He possesses such q
broad and ample form. with such beaming,
jolly. open countenance; he is SO unctuous, SO
proud OF his own harmless iokes-some of
which are remarkably good, as when he locat-
ed hell in New York-and further
still, there is about the man,
such an atmosphere of simple honesty
and goodliness.tha we feel at once that he rises
far above the Joshua Whitcombs and Alvin
Joslins that are made to typify the New Eng
supported by Miss Annie Ware, who, as Mrs.
Crankett, gave capital characterization.
Eery little detail was most carefully worked up
by her, such as her absorptionin the letter from
Eleanor.
Mr.. Wheelock's Joe Thatcher is a strong and
very clever portraiture, and We do not wonder
that it fairly wrested praise from the Boston
critics who have heretofore denied it to him.
1t was one of the most powerful delineations
seen on this stage. For working up to climax
70 hay n W hat ,ol
with that in the second act where he tells Gray
all the reasons why he should kill him. The
intensity of his passion keyed up the nerves of
his listeners to the highest pitch, and yet his
voice through the most of the scene hardly
rose above the conversational tone But how
much scOrn and hatred it contained. Mr..
Roberts, as Egbert Gray, admirably Sec
onded Mr.. Wheelock, and not only were
two curtains demandl d, but afterwards
Messrs. Wheelock and oberts were called
where Egbert confesses his wickedness to the
Deacon, and afterwards to Joe, the a. ting of
all.was very strong, and all were called before
the curtain. In the third act the scene be-
tween Joe and Eleanor was full of emotional
power, and about as strong situation as can
be imagined, one that brought tears to many
eyes, was when Joe turns at the door as Flea
nor calls his name in despairng accents.
Miss Sedgwick, while hardly an ideal Flea
nor, assumed the role well, and acted with
Eytinge was capital Mr.. Heatherton. Mr..
Henderson made much of the small part of
Mazel, and Stilton Chapman was pert bright
oolly. The scenery was good, and the pic
lures in the Crankett mansion very appropri-
| ate, especially the sampler. The music was
| good and Mr.. Burnham's orchestra played for
| the first time, Chinese march that was very
| pleasing
| There was splendid audience present, and
we urge our readers if they would thoroughly
,rnryf Al. ~
afternoon, or the evening performance.
| PHOTOS.
The sale of seats for the performances of the
Harrison Company in "Photos or Fun in a
Photograph Gallery" will commence at New
Portland Theatre this morning. The Harri-
SONS were two of the strongest members of
Rice's Surprise Party when that organizati on
| produced Horrors here some time ago. The
present company is said to be strong one.
NOTES.
A despatch from Albany 3ks that Mr.. Jes.
sop's new play, "Saml of Posen," IN. B. Cur.
tis as Sam1) made great hit there Thursday
night. There was great enthusiasm over the
performance.
Prof. Saucier's piano recital at Rossinl Hall
should draw large audience Tuesday.
A new comic opera, "Nisida," by Genee,
| oHo ConfpoSor Oh 1uo Roydl MIuuy, was pro-
duced at the Thalia Theatre, New York, on
Tuesday evening 1t resembles Genee's ear
lier opera in the character of the music, which
is light and tuneful, and often pretty; the Ii
Nretto is amusing and it affords an opportunity
for rich scenic display and for clever acting.
The story deals with the adventures of a
prma donna who has broken her engagement
and fled to Cuba, whittier she is followed by
her manager and two of his agents. and de-
tails their adventures, which are varied and
.anfnr 70 IrIn Hhnr - -
melodies scattered through the score, which,
without possessing any particular musical
value, will doubtless prove popular and serve
| to secure the success Of the work, which is of