The Portland daily press., 1881-04-09
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.


EDGEwoOD FOLKS.
Mr.. Sol. Smith Russell's play of Edgewood
Folks, produced at Portland Theatre last
night, would have little excuse for being, if it
did not serve as vehicle for the Introduction
of Sol Smith Russell in his inimitable songs
and representations. The slender plot, which
has been published in the PRESS, is strung out
through four acts, when two, or three at the
most would have been ample. When Russell
is on the stage then the audience is full of
laugh and good humor. When he is off they
yawn. This is not the fault of the actors. The
company embraces mary good people. Carrie
McHenry-sister of Nellie, who plays in 'The
Troubadours"-is a bright, pretty girl, who
has little to do as Faith Hardwicke but look
pretty, as is the case with Matte Earle as An
ME Dilloway. Mrs. Sol Smith, as Phoebe,
Belle Wharton, as Sylvia, Messrs. Rockwell,
Smith, Ringgold, Lanergan and Lennox all
made as much of their parts as was possible.
Mr. Russell is the same as ever, whether he
is reclting his school-boy composition or, as the
old maid, tells her love experiences. Many of
his sketches are very familiar but they are
very funny for all that. His German "Rbine
wine" song is one of the best things he does
and the drunken scene between him and Lam
ergan was really artistic bit.
This afternoon and tonight Edgewood
Folks will be repeated.
BARNEY MACAULEY
The Chicago Times, speaking of Barney
Macauley, who will appear at Portland Thea
tire in the Messenger from Jarvis Section
Monday night, says:
At Haverly's Mr.. B. Macauley's drama, ga
Messenger from Jarvis Section will be re-
membered as having been played at this thea
tire about a year ago. 1t is of the smodern sort
and of the very best of its kind, and no time or
labor is wasted anywhere in the play from be-
ginning to end. Every bit of business leads up
to something else. The story is kept contnu-
ously in view, and the interest and attention
OF the audience is never allowed to lag. Up-
Gle Dan' is an honest, shrewd, and kindly old
fellow, with whom the sympathy of the spec
tators goes in all his moods and all his scrapes.
The assumption of this part by Mr.. Macauley
is quite worthy SO excellent an actor. 1t is
clear characterization, no more over-strained
than the somewhat high-pressure of his sur
roundings compels. Mr.. Macauleys social
play is remarkably good; quite frequently he
incites a roar or round of applause by the
mere change of countenance.
NOTES.
The Haydns will produce Handeps Judas
Maccabeus at their hall April Goth.
Miss Dickinson has declined to appear as
Claude Melnotte at the Chestnut street thea
tire, Philadelphia, giving no valid reason
therefore She is still advertised to appear,
and Mr.. Stetson, in the absence of any valid
excuse on the lady's part for breaking her en-
gagement, will undoubtedly go on and carry
out his part of the contract, SO far as furnish
ing the company, etc. The engagement, it
seems, was solicited wholly by Miss Dickinson,
and not by Mr.. Stetson. She expsessed de-
sire to appear only in male characters, and
named four plays in which she proposed to as
sumo the leading male roles, viz: "The Lady
Of Lyons Macbeth, - Hamlet" and 'The
| Corsican Brothers, Mr.. Stetson dissuaded
her from attempting so much and consented
that she should play one part, say Claude Mel
nOtte.