The Portland daily press., 1884-03-12
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
LEAH.

That Miss Mather is seen to the greatest ad-
vantage in the role of "Leah" was again en-
phasized last evening Her best powers find
In this character their fullest scope, and her
representation OF the Jewess is the most fin
ished and rounded of all her assumptions.
From the moment she takes the stage, hound
ed by the ignorant peasantry to the last sad
scenes OF the drama, she carries with her the
sympathy Of her audience. 1t is true that this
is IN large part due to The character itself
for persecution at once raises up hosts OF
friends. For all that the actress must have
talents, and the skill to use them, to keep
that sympathy alive, and, to use colloquial-
ism, work it for all it is worth" The love
scenes that in the "Hunchback'' seemed arti-
hcial, in Leah" were almost painful in inten-
slty. Inc situation at the close OF the third
act, where Rudolph drives her from his faith
er door, and the celebrated curse scene in the
fourth act, were admirable. In the former.
the pleading, passionate tenderness of the out
aged woman, begging for her lover, her wild
cry Of sam then mad when confronted by
the base charge that she has sold her love- and
ner desperate anguish as she drags herself on
her knees, clutching the garments of him for
whom she has abjured her nation, and forsak-
en- her family, only at last spurned and cast
off, to fall senseless, were all depicted with
great power. In the latter, from the moment
in which she recognizes Rudolph at the altar
and, recalling the blessing she has invoked,
fairly withers him with that fearful anathema.
the result OF her Hebraic teachings, she is
transformed from woman almost to demon.
Revenge breathes in every word, lives in every
gesture, shoots in glspces of fire from her
eyes. She is not of that mould, or character,
that freezes the blood in the veins by the cold
deliberations, the icy malgnity of her hate
but rather of the hot, impetuons nature whose
love when despised, tsras TO q hate, scorches
burns Its once loved object. As she advances
in her art Miss Mather will put more repose in
some OF the scenes and thus render even more
enectlve, those OF which we have already
spoken. AS general thing young actresses
are not given to over-much play OF feature, or
OF eyes. 1t may be nervousness, but if Miss
Mather used her eyes a little less, beautiful as
they are, she would make many of her scenes
stronger. Miss Mather was called before the
curtain at the end of the third act, and twice
at the end OF the fourth, and presented with
bouquet. Mr.. Salvini was seen to very good
advantage as Rudolph. He was intense in his
love making, and honest in his rage. Mr.
Levick as Nathan was one of the strongest fea-
lures OF the play, and Mr.. Davidge excellent
as the doctor. The orchestra is to be praised
for its capital work.
WEBER CLUB CONCERT
The concert to be given by the Weber Club
in the Young Mems Christian Association
Hall tonight will prove delightful entertain
ment. Mrs. HAYES, the favorite soprano, will
appear in several solos, and duet with Mr..
Morgan the we'll known tenor. Mrs. Alice
earle Seaver will favor the audience with sew
eral ballads, and the numbers by the club will
display their drill to the best advantage Miss
Hattie Adams will offer piano solo,
Y. M. G. A. membership tickets will not ad-
NIT to the concert this evening. The concert
is not for the benefit of the association.
lockwood FOLKS.
SOL Smith Russell is great favorite in
Portland, and this morning the sale OF seats
for "Edgewood Folks" will begin at the box
office of the theatre. AS Tom Dilloway, Mr.
Russell will introduce his famous specialties.
NOTES.
Mr. VIM. Benedict, agent for the Danites
Company, is in the city. They will appear
March 18th and 18th
The concert by the State street church in the
Second Parish church has been postponed to
Wednesday evening of next week.