The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-07
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
pAYY CROCKET,

The Brown Light Artillery are to be con-
graduated on the large and eIthusstic audi
ence that gathered at City Hall last night to
witness Mr.. Frank Mayo's admirable imperso-
nation OF "Davy Crockett" 1t is unnecessary
for Us at this late day to go into the merits of
Mr., Mayo's Characterization 1t stands among
the creations of the modern stage. Mr.. Mayo
was well supported, and was heartily applaud
ed, and called before the curtain several times.
The ushers were all members of the artillery,
and fulfilled their office with celebrity and ac-
curacy. Between the acts Drum Major Bean
read the election returns, and as old Massachu-
sets told her little story the news was received
with immense cheers
McsoRLEY's INITIATION.
Last evening McSorley Imitation received its
second performance at Portland Theatre
Many of its features were received with ap-
plauss and encores, especially the various
songs and tho xylophone solo.
THE DRESDEN BAND.
Tonight City Hall will be crowded by a
very large audience to hear the famous Dres-
den Band directed by Herman Forester. The
programme has already been published in the
PRESS. The band will be assisted by Miss
Eta May Hunt of Boston. soprano, with Mr..
Harvey Murray of this city, accompanist. A
few good seats still remain at Stockbridges.
CONCERT AND READING.
The entertainment at Pine street church to-
morrow morning is one that deserves patron
age. The First Parish choir will furnish the
musical portion and Miss Caroline Roach of
Boston, the elocutionary.
RECEPTION TO MRS. COVER.
Mrs. Frederick Allen Cover Gillian Nor
tOnl 5ad
the New England Conservatory of Music Bos.
ton, Monday evening by the faculty and
scholars, the occasion being musical soiree,
in which the distinguished artist was chief
attraction. Mrs. Cover rendered the follow
ing selections: Nocturne, by Chopin; "Invita-
ton to the Dance" CAN'T; Recitative and
Aria, from Verdi's "Aida;'' Forever and
Forever" Tostl. The Journal says: The
vocalist sang with such charming expression
and artistic excellence as to wiz the most
hearty plaudits from her critical auditors.
Mrs. Cover was the recipient of several hand
some floral offerings during the evening.
BOOTH IN BOSTON.
On each occasion of witnessing Mr.. Booth s
performance of Richelieu, in which part he
appeared Monday night, the Journal regrets
that it is not his first, in order that il might
have reason for anslyzing the subtle and vigor-
GUS Interpretation which he gives to the
character, and expressing at length the gratii-
cation which comes from the mastery effort.
It is certainly one of his best parts, not SO pro-
found in intellectual power as some of his
others, perhaps, but wonderful piece of
natural and intelligent acting, and showing
very satisfactorily the union of many of bis
best qualities. The realism OF the effort is
startliDg-at times even painful. The simula-
ton Of age and weakness, the racking cough,
the melancholy yisage which is at times ir
radiated with flashes of sardonic humor or
whitening rage, are all remarkably consistent
and 81 mmetrically combined, while there are
none of those momentary lapses from the con-
ception to the ordinary habit of the man
which disfgure the work of almost every other
actor that has appeared hero in this role. Mr.
Booths Interpretation of this part seems to
have ripened and grown more fragrant, and to
be finer than it has ever been before. It is i'm
possible to perceive wherein it could be better
ed, for it stands as perfect model of the just
blending together of nature and art.
IRVING AS LOUIS XII.
The Herald correspondent says; ''If Henry
Irving had opened in Louis XII tickets for
his performances would not be selling on the
sidewalk for 81. 1 think / have discovered
the exact status of Mr. Irving. He is a great
character actor. His Matthias, in "The Bells"
was brutally bad. His Charles 1 was pompous
and pumpy, but his Louis is as nearly perfect
as one could ask. The version played is the
one written by Bouccault, in which, with an
Irish cast, that clever tdrcear made a marvel
lous f1zze. large cast is needed, and, SO far
as that is concerned, it must be dismissed in a
sentence, and that unfavorable. Clearly,
the merit and monumental success of this eve
MIN hnl To
wonderful. His face looked old and haggard
The insane CLEANS in his eyes played we'll
their exactng roles. His bent figure and vast.
ed hands we're the acme of art. His mouth
was finely wrinkled and Invested of all his
teeth, save those Of the squirrel, two upper
and two lower. He WAS the King photograph
ed and endowed with life, on TWO miserable
legs. His faulty elocution did not seem out Of
place, as one could easily reconcile it with the
unnatural character he represented. So far as
physlcal essentials then, are concerned, Irving
is as he should be. His conception of the
character of the crafty old monkey who mis-.
ruled France aud played foot bali with religion
as he mountebanked with royalty, parallels
with that commonly recognized as lust. T
think Irving's best is in dialogue with those
the King was sounding and deceiying. His
wheedliDg tone, and look, and bearing are to
the very life. In his scenes with the hated
and suspected Dauphin, lis assumed tender
ness veneering, deep-seated distrust and ill
repressed detestation are marvels of dissimula-
tion. His picture of played out roue, gloat-
ing over the beauty of useless charms, is re.
voltingly clever. The monarch's fanaticism.
cruelty, craft and weird wickedness are 80
many wires on which the genius of the actor
flashed, and danced, and burned with marvel
lous force and attractive skill.
NOTES.
Rehans 1908 will be at Portland Theatre
on Friday and Saturday evenings of next
week, the 10th and 18th insts.
Miss Hindle has "caught on" in good shane
at the Lyceum. All should go and see her.
The tickets for the Rentz-Santley perform
anoe at Portland Theatre will be ready Friday.