The Portland daily press., 1882-03-17
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
LIEUT.. RICHARD wAnpouR.


Another exceedingly well-pleased audience
attended Portland Theatre last evening ana
testified to their appreciation of Mr. Wheelock
and the excellent company by which he is
supported The gentlemen of the Boston
press, who witnessed this piece Wednesday
evening thus speak of it. and the acting, IN
their respective journals yesterday:
Mr.. Edward Perry of the Herald says:
'sThe Frozen Dsep," brought out by Mana
ger Frank Curtis at his pretty little theatre
here, has met with much success, and promises
to furnish Joseph Wheelock with an excelieht
role in which to star next season. The play,
which has been renamed "Richard Wardour.
from the principal character, is in flve tap-
leaux, as now presented, and is good actlng
drama; but the dialogue needs condensation.
The first and third acts should be reconstruct
ed, and more of the comedy element added.
When this is done, there seems no reason W ny
it should not take q high place in popular
favor Mr.. Wheelock has never been better
suited with part than now, and his Imperson-
alton is a work of genuine artistic value. ne
plays the earlier scenes with an intensity ana
force that are irresistible, and in the last act
his death scene is one of the most pathetic ever
seen here on the stage. When the play mas
been improved he will have gold mine in 1t.
He is supported here by very. good company,
and the piece is finely staged"
MT. n. w llSOu Dyor, u tLo 0lOoo %Hu AsS"
York Dramatic News, says:
"The drama is very handsomely staged, the
scenery, presenting the breaking up of the
''frozen deep in the fourth act being remark
ably effective and the piece generally is pro-
duced with great smoothness and excellent
effect All the scenic effects were perfectly
managed, and the piece as to the manner OF It's
stage production would reflect credit on
metropolitan theatre. Mr.. Wheelock appears
artistically to remarkable fine advantage as
Wardour His straightforward and unaffee ted
method of acting was never better exemplified-
In the opening act he realizes by few simple
and natural touches the character OF the re-
jected lover of Clara Burnham, and the
changes in his nature which follow the dscov-
cry of what he believes to be woman's perndy
are portrayed with rare skill The difficult
scene with Aldersley, after their abandonment
by the crew, was very we'll managed. But it
is in the closing act, naturally, that Mr..
Wheelock's powers find their fullest scope.
His picture of the half dead Wardour, anxious
only to find Aldersey's betrothed, that he
might restore him to her arms, is drawn most
wildly and with great effect, and the death
scene is made most moving and impressive. In
fine, the character of Wardour is acted with
devotion and skill that justify the expectation
that Mr.. Wheelock will make in the parts no
small popular aesthetic success The play will,
it is probable, be presented in Boston. The
stars support is very fair, Miss Lillian Joyce
as Clara, Miss Shannon as her devoted friend,
Mr.. John Ince in a small servants part and
Mr.. J. G. Barrows being worthy OF mention"
Mr.. Thomas says in the Post: THE play is in
many respects strong, but neet 8 to be rewritten
and more of the comedy element introduced,
yet, throughout, it is dramatic and interesting.
Mr.. Wheelock's Wardour is a masterpiece of
quiet, strong, effective acting, most thorough
in conception and execution, and the reckless,
desperate, yet noble nature of the man. is clear
~ shown"
Mr. Jordan's notice, in tho Traveller, we
have not by us, but it voiced the opinions ex-
pressed by the other gentlemen, as regards this
play, and spoke in high terms of Mr..
Wheeock's acting, and of his support.
The dramatic papers will not be issued un-
til next Wednesday, so that the criticisms in
the Dramatic News and Dramatic Times will
rot appear till then. The criticisms of the
New York Clipper and New York Mirror will
also be looked forward to with great interest.
Tonight Mr.. Wheelook will take benefit,
and have a splendid house. Mr.. Curtis and
Miss Joyce will appear in the "Rough Dia-
mond." The sale OF tickets has been very
large. The matinee on Saturday will begin at
2.30 p. m.
KERRY COW.
Mr.. Joseph Murphy is one of the best Irish
character actors on the stage, and his play Of
Kerry Cow has won him widespread rep
utation. When he appeared in it, several sea-
sons ago, at the old Portland Theatre, he drew
large and delighted audiences. Inc piece is
exceedingly attractive, witty and bright, and
the star is supported by Julia Stewart and
well selected company.
NOTES,
P;nafore tickets are selling we'll at Stock
bridges.
The opera to be produced by Nine. Patti in
Boston, next Thursday, has been changed
from 'Trovatore' to Lucia
The pleasing drama entitled "Our Folks"
which was given in the vestry of Congress
Square church, Wednesday evening, will be
repeated this Friday) evening by request.