The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-26
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
JOSHUA wHITCoMB.


Denman Thompson appeared at Portland
Theatre in his delightful Characterization of
Joshua Whitcomb last evening to a large aud
fence. The play has been produced here twice
before, and requires no detailed description at
this time. Mr.. Thompson's Joshua" like old
WINE is improved and mellowed with age.
Ills portraiture of the old Yankee farmer is
admirable for its fidelity to nature and artistic
excellence. 1t is singularly free from exag-
geration and narrowness. While Mr.. Thomp-
sons rich humor is as admirable in its way as
that of John E. Owens, he lacks the pathos
that makes a completely satisfactory delinea-
ton. The play has been considerably i'm
proved and changes are constantly going on
under Mr.. Thompson direction.
The greatest improvement that has been
made is the introduction of very pleasing bust
ness for the support, who are necessarily, to
greater or less extent, feeders for the star.
Among the new business we may mention the
superior singing by Misses Logan and Coe,
the recitation by Mr.. Jepson and the quartette
singing. Miss Logans rendering of "Robin
Redbreast'' and "Comin' thro' the Rye was
Tar ahead of the average first-class concert
vocalists. while Mr.. Jepsons recital of Owen
Meredith's "LeS IalienS," with the accom-
panlment of the orchestra playing the miSerere
from Irovatore in pianissimo, and the actors
occasional introduction OF "che la norte' in
clear, robust tenor voice, fairly captured the
audience. Both Miss Logan and Mr.. Jepson
were enthusiastically encored.
AS to the acting of the support, it was very
good. Miss Wilson's "Tot." Martinalli's
"Roundy' and Mr. Beane's ICY Prime" are ia
mlllar to our theatre going people. The minor
parts were we'll taken. Mr.. Van Olker, with
MS orchestra from the Gaiety Theatre, Boston,
was very satisfactory, and the performance
may be- considered one of the best of the sea-
son. Two more performances will be given
To-Day The $4,000 display of diamonds in
the party scene' was gorgeous as an Arabian
Nights festival.
THE BANKERS DAUGHTER.
Next Wednesday and Thursday Golfers
Union Square Combination will produce "The
Bankers Daughter" Bronson Towards great
play, at Portland Theatre. The tickets will be
ready Monday morning.
NOTES.
Miss Henrietta Beebe as was lately an
nounced, is about to leave New York for a
concert tour in England, and is to receive
testimonial concert at Chickering Hall, New
York, this evening, in which she will sing for
the last time previous to her departure.
M. GARNER, the well known tenor, arrived
in New York Thursday morning, by the steam
ship France, from Paris and will at once join
the De Beauplan French Opera, who are sing
ing in Chicago at McVicker's Theatre to
crowded houses. The engagement of this ia
nous artist was necessitated by the hard work
that M. Tournea has had while in this coun-
try.
Mr.. Georg Henschel was SO much pleased
with the proficiency of the Mendelssohn Glee
Club, New York, at whose last concert he
sang, that he expressed his desire to write
four part song for them, and this distinguished
mark of favor having been accepted with
pleasure by the club, Mr.. Henschel has sent a
song which is. now in rehearsal.