The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-05-05

MAY BLOSSOM
| "May Blossom is one of the most interesting
| dramas that has been put on the boards in this
| country. 1t is clean, bright, wholesome, and
what is MORE tits American. The plot we pub
| lished yesterday. When the piece was first
brought out at the Madison Square Theatre the
piece gained its great success through the ex.
ceedingy strong impersonation of Steve Harland
the fisherman, by Joe Wheelock. Of course, Ben
Maginley as Brother Tom, Miss Georgia Cayvan
as May, Forrest Robinson as Richard and the
actor who played Uncle Bartlett were all excel
lent but Joe's Steve was more than that 1t was a
revelation. Mr.. Forrest Robinson now plays
Steve, and plays it well but he does not and can
Cayvan is very pleasing, both in personnel and
manner in the quieter scenes of the drama, and
natural and intense in the great scene IN the
second act, where Richard returns from prison.
Ben Magnley as Brother Tom and Mr.. Crompton
as Uncle Bartlett are two admirable character
portraits and the other members Oh the t cast as
test and most novel scenes known 10 the stage,
and the stage setting was very good; There was
called the curtain at the end Of every act Miss
Cayvan was presented with a basket OF handsome
flowers. The new selections from "Amorlta"
were exquisitely played by the orchestra The
play will be repeated tonight and should draw a
larger house than last night
BOOTH AS HAMLET.
Mr.. Edwin Booths performance in Hamlet"
at the New York Academy of Music, on Friday
night is spoken of in Saturdays New York news
papers as altogether admirable. The actors elo-
cuton was as tasteful as ever, and his gestures
full of grace and meaning, while of those quail
ties that have made his Interpretation of the part
noted for its poetry and art there was nothing
wanting. There is peculiar satisfaction in
noting these Acknowledgements, by various
writers, as rumorS concerning Mr.. Booths unfit
condition for acting were still in the air. The
sand, expressed their sympathy with the actor by
greeting him on his entrance with long-continued
applause.
Speaking of the Boston Museum company In
New York, Mr.. William Winter says: "The &C.
casion was further signaized by the first appear
ance here of Miss Nadia Cragen, o newly dis
covered Boston actress, why certainly is valu-
able acquisition to the stage. 1t is long since
Young woman of so much brilliant promise, COM
+ bined with ndsputable talent and sterling per-
Torrance, has here made an appeal for the public
favor"
The Sultan of Turkey has initiated the eccen-
trio King Ludwig of Bavaria by having dramatic
performance for the sole delectation OF himself
and his chamberlain. Russian nobleman, the
Comte de Medein, goes even farther, for ne takes
with him on his present tour through Europe
band of fifty musicians whose sole business is to
enliven the Comics meals with their music.
Signor Salvn is to write four articles for the
Century upon Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth and
Italian artist, it IS said, leaves America May p
with the intention of retiring permanently from
the stage. On arriving in Italy he will go at once
to his estate, near Florence, and busy himself in
raising grapes and olives and making wines.
Georgia Cayvan had cordial reception at Bath,
her native city, Monday evening She received a
magnificent floral tribute, the presentation
speech being made by .ex-Mayor Richardson
informal reception in the parlors of the Sagada-
hoe House.