The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-15
MUSIC AND THE DRAMA.
LIEUT.. RICHARD wARpoUR.


Aldersley, the play met with reception lfrom
the English play-going public such as is rarely
accorded to modern drama, and fully accom-
plished the object intended. If we are moi
mistaken the piece was afterwards produced
on the boards of the Boston Museum with sue
cess, Mr.. L. R. Shewell playing the part of the
hero. Still later, after Mr. Pedicariss pic
ture" failed in New York, Mr.. Wheelock fol
lowed Immediately with the present adaptation
of Mr.. Collins story, and the encomiums he
received from the leading critics of that city,
for his Interpretation of the part of Lieut. War
dour were of the most glowing description.
After careful preparation the piece was
brought out Monday evening at the Portland
Theatre, by Mr.. Frank Curtis, and repeated
last evening. The play should be seen by
everybody who appreciates fine acting; and,
before we go farther, we wish to have 1t dis
tinctly understood that if put upon the road,
as we'll as it is brought out in this city, II
should command the attention and patronage
of every true lover of the drama.
1.-THE Frozen Deep" at this time should pos
sess more than ordinary interest. The recent
search for the Jeanette, the tales of the suf-
ferings of her officers and crew, e,all brought
wildly to mind by the scenes and action OF the
play. Its faults are those of construction,
which, in the hands of a skilful playwright,
can be easily mended. That it is a somDre
story whose wit and humor lie more in the
manner of those of the company who
assume the lighter roles, than in what
they have to say-may be presumed
since it is an emotional as we'll as a spectacu-
lar drama, and as affording an opportunity for
the display of emotion in all its varied forms,
it will take rank with anything we have ever
seen on the stage of the French School. while
it is more healthy in its tone Perhaps its
greatest fault lies in the fact that too little is
seen of the principal character; in the third
act the hero does not appear at all, while In
each of the others his presence is rather briefer
than usual. But the situations in which he
does appear possess an absorbing interest, and
while the audience does not get as demonstra-
tive over them as perhaps in some other plays
of less real force, the death-like silence that
pervades the theatre during them, shows the
manner in which the spectators are affected.
The "Frozen Deep" also possesses the advan-
tage of not being one part piece-the various
characters have each chance to make their
mark. When the hiatus of which we have
spoken shall have been removed, and, from
the first act to the last scene, the interest shall
move onward in steady progre ssion to the
grand climax on which the green curtain drops
then nothing more can be asked for in this
most realistic drama.
Mr., Wheelock's 'Lieut Wardour" is full of
that magnetism which he possesses N greater
degree than almost any actor on the stage. 1t
is not only powerful creation, but it bears
the stamp of genius. The sinterview between
Richard and Clara, in the first act, is one OF
the strongest love scenes ever witnessed on the
boards It is not only thoroughly truthful but
it is permeated with the personality OF the
man. 1t is not the elegant gent leman whose
eagerness is checked by the GOODNESS OF the
woman he believes ais own, only 70 nave ms
heart turned to stone the next moment; 1t is
the sailor about whom clings the flavor
of the sea breeze, whose impetuoSity brooks
no restraints, and whose will and determine
tion are those given to men who control the
destinies of nations. In the second act, where
he tells his story to Crawford, sitting on the
cask, he gives quiet intensity to his tale that
is unequalled by anything recently known to
the stage. 1t breatheS revenge that makes
the nearer shudder That one scene would, IN
New York or Boston, command the attention
of the most critical audience, while the final
ragged, unkempt, with staring, hollow eyes, who
has made his revenge subseryient to his love,
is full OF chivalry so noole, pathos so subtle,
that it makes even men weep, and, as the dy-
ing man draws the form OF her, for whom he
suffered untold agonies, to him, and imprints
on her lips farewell kiss, through the open
door of the hut can be seen the blue sea with
s'iIs sails whitening in the morning light. Let
us believe that in the silence of the receding
world he heard the great waves breaking on q
farther shore, and felt already upon his wasted
brow the breath of the eternal morning"
In Miss Joyce Mr. Wheelock has for his
leading support most admirable actress. The
part of Clara is not a kindly one, with its con-
slant agony, its visions, and its general unhap-
piness. But the lady makes every point tell,
character in the play. And this may
be said OF almost all the rest OF the
cast. Miss Shannon is an excellent Mrs. Cray
ford, Mr.. Barrows an exceedingly manly and
natural Lieut. Crawford, Mr.. Ince capital
Corney, while the rest deserve special mention
At the close of the fourth act the audience de-
manded the raising of the curtain
The scenery is all that could be desired, and
the break up of the ice pack admirably man
aged. The calcium lights are thrown with
great effect on the various scenes. and the
orchestra adds its aid to further their effect
the acts Mr.. Grimmer received much
praise for his selections.
The play will be repeated every night this
week, and the grand Saturday matinee will be-
gin at 2.30 o'clock.
THE DRAMATIC PRIMER. 4
Is this one night town? Oh, yes; this is
me night town. Where is the town? A cow
s standing in front of the town.
Here we have an actor. Do the public think
,im a good actor? Oh, no; the public do not
;hink him good actor, but he thinks himself
very good actor. Actors are on .ood terms
With themselves.
This is an advance agent. Does the advance
lgent think other shows are good? Oh, yes;
he advance agent occasionally admits that
,ther shows are fair, but at the same time
nodestly insinuates that the show he is in adj
rance of holds first mortgage on the germ of
,he cereal that is planted by the farmer,
ylound by the miller and kneaded into the
cake bp the baker. Is the advance agent
musician? Oh, yes He plays the Tyre, the
and other wind instruments.
Is the leader of the orchestra full? Oh, 10,
the leader of the orchestra is not full, but he
has full band.
This, my children, is an author. Does he lie
down when he sleeps? Oh, no; he walks in his
sleep. He suffers from Literary somnambu-
lism" He has a play book and pair of scis-
sors in his hand. What are the sc ssors COM
posed of? The scissors are composed OF
"steal."
Does the utility man want parlor, bed
room, bathroom and meals served to him on
the first floor of the best hotel for $115 per
week? Oh, yes; the utility man wants par
lor bedroom, bathroom and meals served to
him on the first floor of the best hotel for SLID
per week.
lis this the Prince of Wales or Gar of Russia?
1t is neither the Gear of Russia, nor the Prince
of Wales. 1t is manager. Has the manager
a diamond-pin? Well, L should count the
house.
Does the large hat on the head of the tall
woman hide the plot of the play from the short
man sitting behind her? Oh, yes the large hat
on the head of the tall woman does hide the
plot of the play from the short man sitting be-
hind her. LOUIS HARRISON,
LID. A, S. S.
Joseph Murphy will appear during his com
ing engagement at Portland Theatre in"Shaun
Rue"
The closing entertainment in the Y. nj. g.
A. course will take place Thursday evening at
their hall, when Miss Ida Kennard will sing,
Misses Mary Bradbury and E. W. Smith fur
nish instrumental music, and Mrs. Minnie G.
Gould will read.
Under the auspices oiithe Ladies' Circle con-
nected with the Second Parish society, State
street choir will give one of their charming
concerts this evening at s O'Clock. Those who
love fine music are sure of a delightful evening