The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-31
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
THE BANKERS DAUGHTER.

| THE BANKERS DAOGHIER
Notwithstanding the threatening storm last
night (which ripened into a gale and damp
snowfall later in the evening" a very large
and fashionable audience braved "Old Prob
abilities and assembled in Portland Theatre
to witness the great Union Square Theatre
success "The Bankers Daughter
The plot has been published by us and it is
unnecessary to repeat it here. 1t is sufficient
to say it is admirably constructed, that the
situations of the piece are among the most
| telling known to the stage, and that while the
dramatic element is of the highest order, the
comedy features are worthy of praise. In the
hands OF finished, earnest actors of the modern,
romantic school, we can imagine how absorb
ing the play must be, for even when intrus.ed
to the hands OF the ladies and gentlemen who
appeared in it last night there were occasions
when the spectator forgot he was looking on
mimic passions in mimic scenes.
The drama was we'll put on the stage, two
scenes, those of the grand corridor and stair
case at tho American legation, Paris, and the
| moonlight view of the old chateau near that
city, exciting LOUD applause. AS for the actors
we can only regret that they were, generally
speaking, hardly up to what the play de-
manded. Miss Anna Boyle as Lillian, was
Overweighted at the start. She was too artifi-
cial, too self-conscious, addressing herself in
most of her scenes rather to the audience than
the person spoken to- In the great situation
of the drama, that of the third act, where her
husband, after the duel, learns the true story
of her acceptance of him, and of her love for
Harold Routledge, she was at better
advantage. Mr.. Bangs was rather too mature
for John Strebelow, and hardly equal to the
requirements of the part in many respects. He
is good actor of the old school, but modern
romantic drama is hardly his forte. Yet he
worked up the scene with Lillian, just men,
toned, with considerable earneStness, power
and skill, and was rewarded with a call before
the curtain. Signor Majeroni was excellent as
the Count CARDIAC, albeit he made him an
Italian rather than Frenchman, but that was
due to his own nationality. His length of limb
was something of a trial to him, but he man.
aged to overcome that difficulty with consider
able skill. Charles Walcott was acceptable as
Phipps, the drummer, and Mrs. Walcott was
? fair representative of the volatile, malicious
Mrs. Brown, but the character needs young
er representative. Mr.. Forsberg was a natural,
satisfactory Mr. Babbage, and Mr.. Tilton did
not offend as Mr.. Westbrook.
The duel by moonlight was we'll managed
and we'll done, and the music by the orchestra
was appropriate and effective. The last per-
formance will be given tonight.
NOTES.
Our readers will remember that Lawrence
Barrett will appear in Richelieu Monday night.
Ihere Is to be vocal and instrumental con-
cert under the auspices of the Guild at the
Swedenborgian vestry Thursday evening April
7th in which some of our best local talent will
assist. There will also be other attractions.
Mystic Lodge will give an entertainment at
Temperance Hall this evening, consisting of
recitations, readings, speaking, vocal and in
strumental music, &C., by the following well
known talent: David Moulton, j. Anderson,
w. W. Merrill, Chas. Morgan, Mrs. Dr. Files,
Miss Hill and others