The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-02-20
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA,
WIDOW BEDOTT.

Last night large audience, considering the
cold clustering wind gathered in Portland
Theatre, to witness the dramatization of the
Widow Bedott representation some years ago
by Miss Miriam Berry-and dramatized by Mr..
ID. r. Locke, so well known under his nom dc
plume OF Petroleum V. Nasty.
The play lacks action, and it depends las
many of the pieces now on the boards dol upon
especially actor for its success 1t is not SO
much a one part play as many lately produced,
in that it possesses several other good charac-
tiers. Still they would be nothing without the
star. And this star, Mr.. Neil B Irgess, is adj
mirably adapted to the character Of the Widow.
His was not only humorous, but an exceed
ingly artistic impersonation. From the OPEN
ing scenes where the widow set her cap to
catch the widower, Tim Crane, just returned
from California, to the scene in the fourth act
where the widow and the Elder, now married,
find their parlors refurnished, with all the
statuary modestly and modernly attired in
pantaettes, the audience are convulsed with
laughter. The arrival of the widow and
daughter on the stage coach is we'll got up
scene, and the scene in the garden, at the close
of the second act, when the widow faints in
the Elders arms, on night which that lady
considers beautiful for a camp-meetng," are
exceedingly amusing. The plot is simple in
tnat the widow visits her brother-in law, Mr..
Hartman, and there meets Elder Sniffles,
Baptist, and widower. She catches him and
they are married. Her .ughter Melissa is
loved by Tom Follett and succeeds in m arry-
ing him. In the country home of the widow
she has many amusing interviews with widow
Jenkins, but it is with the Elder that the
brightest dialogue transpres. The play how
ever is one that must be seen and laughed
over, not analysed. More spontaneous and
hearty laughter we have not heard for long
while. Mr.. George Stoddart was excellent as
the old elder, Mr.. Tannehill and Miss Annie
Stoddarta pair of easy, natural lovers. Mr.
Wlndhan first-rate Tim Crane, Mr.. Dickson
fair Fred Hartman, and the rest of the sup
port was good We advise all our readers to
be sure and go and see Widow Bedott.
PROF. SLOWER.
Prof. Slower, the we'll known reader, will
give an entertainment at Congress Hall Tues.
day evening.
Charlie Collins, the celebrated Clutch Re-
cruit" will appear at City Hall in he play of
Reward" supported by members of the Grand
Army, next week, commencing Monday even
ing. The reserved seats are for sa le at Stock
bridges & Sturgis's.
THE LITTLE CoRINNE OPERA TROUPE
Will be at City Hall. Friday and Saturday,
March 9th and 9th, also at matinee Saturday
afternoon. There are 50 in the troupe and
they give the MAY Slippers" The tickets
will be sold at Stockbridge's Monday morning,
Feb. 23rd.
MRS. MARY H. HUNT,
Secretary of the Massachusetts, Womans
Christian Temperance Union, will lecture un-
der the auspices of the Portland W. G. T. U.
at Reception Hall, Saturday evening next,
Feb 21st. The subject of her lecture will be
The Need Of Scientific Temperance Education
in Our Schools. 1t has been said of Mrs. Hunt
that she is fitted to stand by the side of Mrs.
Livermore and Miss Willard, and had she ev-
er spoken in this city before this announce
ment would be sufficient to secure full house.
CONCERT AT GoRHAM.
The following will be the programme for the
grand musical and literary entertainment in
Congregational church, Gorham. this Friday
evening, by Paine's quartette and Miss Laura
E. Crawford, of Brur swick:
PartI
Mr.. +; W. Harding ana Miss A. G. johnson johnson
Blow On Ye Winds ....... ........... .Quartette
Dancing Ter the Waves ........... Quartette
Ship Alloy ..... ...Messrs. Paine and Patrick
Reading .......-.... . Miss L. E. Crawford
The World is what We make it -. Quartette
Part III.
Mr.. F. w. Harding and Miss A. G. johnson
Calm and the Storm Mr.. Geo. Patrick Jr
Reading. Miss L. E. Crawford
Poor Old Jonathan. Character Song
With the Iide........ .Quartette
Recalling ................,...Mi Miss L. e. Crawford
The Wolf is on the Hill Quartette
Good Night. .Quartette
Remember the train leaves Preble street sta
round trip, including concert and collation.,
5)c. Tickets may be found on the train for all
those getting on at way stations.