The Portland daily press., 1880-10-30
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA
ANNIE PIXLEY IN M'LISS.

ANNIE PIXLEY IN M'LISS.
AS we said two years ago when "M'liss''
was produced at old Portland Theatre, the play
is not Bret Harte's story dramatized since the
drama abounds in passages that would startle
the author if he supposed they were attributed
to him. But for all that "Mliss' is most
entertaining and enjoyable production, fairly
constructed and presenting series of dramatic
climaxes The last act is uncalled for, but the
first three present most interesting picture OF
mining life in 40, so interesting in fact that
the spectators attention is absorbed il the ac-
ton of the play and carried along with it to
the end With Miss he weeps, with M'liss he
laughs. He is carried away with her fun, he
sympathises with her in her hatred of Cytie.
Miss is a daughter of drunken miner
named Smith, who has discovered pocket in
mountain in California, and wasted all the
money thus secured in trying to get more by
sinking shaft and procuring expensive ma
chinery. A mining town grew up near the
town called Smiths Pocket Smith finally
committed suicide. He had daughter Me-
lissa. nicknamed IN 'liss,' who grew up wild.
After a time she was taken in hand by the
young schoolmaster of the place named Gray,
who 10y tact and schooling rescued her from
herself, made her civilized being and finally
married her. There is introduced also stage
driver, Ynba Bill, character of the old Cali
fornian days,sa scoundrelly Mexican "Greas-
er," Juan WATERS" and Judge Bees.
winger, q typical justice of the Sierras
Miss Annie Pixley gives an impersonation of
the pet of the mining camp remarkable for its
fidelity to nature, its fine, correct drawing and
rich, harmonious coloring. The characteriza-
tion is notable for its strength and consistency,
and shows the effect of intelligent study as
well as the possession of great natural gifts.
It is clean-cut and intelligent characteriza-
ton, correctly conceived and played with a
fine sense of humor. The pathetic scenes,
though not so well done as the lighter ones,
are rendered with undeniable dramatic force.
Miss Pixleys person and voice peculiarly fit
her for the lighter business of the play. In
the last act we may cavil somewhat at the
transition from the natural strength and char
acter of NJ lss to the affectations of "Miss
Smith," but the author is party at fault for
this. Miss Pixley has broadened and strength
ened her character of M'lss since she last pre-
Sented it here. She has introduced many new
songs, which she renders in verv charming
manner, and is to be congratulated on the pos
session of SO fine voice. Several times she
was encored and compelled to repeat her selec-
tions.
OF the support, while it is very good, it is
not quite as strong in some respects as the for
mer one. Mr. McDor ough is of course, a
bluff, hearty Yuba Bill. Mr.. Kilday was a
hardl, subtle enough for the Mexican, and in
stead of giving him the broken English and
pronunciation of a Spaniard made him an
Italian Martin was a fair Beeswinger and
Waldron good Templeton Fake. The tab
leaux we're we'll got up,the scenery and orches-
ira good. Mr.. LaMoss displayed very pretty
wood scene in the second act.
The audience completely crowded the house,
and were evidently much pleased The matt
nee and evening performance to-day should be
we'll patronized.
MRS. HALVES CONCERT.
Mrs. Fannie NJ Hawes of Portland, and
who for some seasons has been favorite
vocalist with the concert-goers of the Easte IN
cities, made her first appearance in Boston at
the Union Hall Thursday evening. The lady,
whohas an agreeable presence, is gifted with
bright, incisive, brilliant voice, which has
been we'll schooled, so that to her natural ad-
vantages are allied good method, as was
clearly shown in the even timbre of her voice,
and cultivated intelligence which was
revealed in her careful phrasing. Her manner
was unaffected and her delivery was straight
forward, with nearly complete freedom
from the peculiarities Which are generally
found in young singers. Altogether it was
successful debut, and Mrs. Hawes may be
credited with fine results and good promise.
Her selections included Verdi's aria, "Ernani
iaUolami," and several English ballads. the
most satisfactory of which was Five o'clock
in the Morning" Boston Adoertiser.
THE NJ 'GIBENY FAMILY.
Judging by the large number Of reserved
seats taken yesterday, the famous McGibeny
family of Portland, Oregon, can look for a
dod of ha Nour md Tboo
next Monday night Little Florence and
Alice, the two youngest girls of this family,
are doubtless the youngest musicians travel
ling. Little Florence. the bass drummer is
scarcely taller than the drum she uses. She is
also brilliant little sketch artist and eau ses
lots of amusement. The Hartford Post says of
her: "Miss Florence quite captivated the audi
ence with her endearing, artless ways. From
the moment OF her first appearance she reigned
the favOrite supreme.
Anna Dickinson has no more discretion than
to make the hero of her play both a journalist
arr millionaire. Such a disregard of the
unities is as inexcusable as mixing up Pinafore
airs in play of which the incidents happened
thirty years ago.
Booths Theatre is to be called the Taber-
nacle during the production of the "Passion
lay" There will be from 200 to 800 male and
female actors in the piece, with an orchestra
and chorus Of about 100. No applause will be
permitted and no return checks will be issued
thereby preventing any disturbance.
Signor Raveli, the new tenor, who will al
ternate with Signor Campanini in Col. Maple-
sons Italian Opera Company, has certainly
made fine success in New York. The Times
says of him: His voice is expressive and
musical. He knows how to use it judiciously,
and has the requisite power to make it etfec-
tive Moreover, he has been we'll schooled
and has the smooth italian style which the
operatic stage demands In the Che me
frena' neither he nor Nine. Gerster was as eff
fective as was to be expected, but in the finale
of the opera Signor Ravelli deserved even
more applause than was bestowed upon BIN,
though he was more than once recalled. He
delivered the two arias of this well known