The Portland daily press., 1890-09-30
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
SHENANDOAH.

AT City Hall last evening, tue famous
scenic war drama was produced by compa.
ny ID every way excellent, and with COM
pieteness never bt fore seen on that stage. 1t
Is evident that Portland people have preiu-
dice against theatrical entertainments in
City Hall for there could be no other reason
why there was not larger attendance last
evening. The drama Shenandoah" has
had long and brilliant career in the larger
cities. and has been voted the most complete
war drama that has been brought out since
the rebellion. The merit of the play is,
therefore, admitted and it remains to speak
OF the company that is now on the New
England circuit. 1t Is fine combination,
and one that would be successful anywhere
and under any circumstances. The appoint
ments and costumes are rich and elaborate.
The trumpet signals. the torch signals, the
booming of cannon. are produced in most
natural manner and in as realistic way as
could be expected in City Hall. The ladies
OF the company are graceful actresses. Miss
Virginia Marlowe as Madeline West, Miss
Helen Leslie as Gertrude Ellingham, Miss
Gleason as Mrs. Constance Haverhill, and
Miss Hall as Jennie Buckthorn come in for
large share Of praise. The gentlemen do
their parts in manly. straightforward way
and are in every respect what the play calls.
The horse Jack" which appeared on the
stage, did what was required of him quietly
and neatly, and it was matter of wonder
how he could be so noiseless on so insecure
floor. The second and third acts were full
of stirring scenes, and the last act gathered
up the loose threads satisfactorily. "Shen-
andoah" will be seen again tonight. 1t is
certainly one of the best entertainments we
shall have here this season, and people will
make mistake If they do not 60.
ERMA, THE ELF.
Miss Marguerite Fish, at Portland Theatre
last evening, was an entire success in SER
ma. the Elf" which pleased good-sized au-
dience. Miss Fish is most interesting lit
tie lady. She was, not long ago. one of the
most precocious children on the stage, and
she has not outgrOwn her girlish ways. She
is an expert dancer and singer, has an at
tractive face and dresses with excellent
taste. The play of "Erma" is skillfully
written melodrama, with many exciting
scenes. There are two villains. one of the
polished type and the other somewhat like
bill Sykes" There is plenty of scheming
and love-making. and everything ends hap
PLY at last. In the third act there is real
istic fire scene. Throughout the play there
are numerous specialties by Miss Fish, who
is ably assisted by Charles Warren in the
character of broken down theatrical man
ager. The play will be given tonight and
tomorrow evening, after which "Hands
Across the Sea" will be produced for the
rest of the week.
THE BoSToNIANs.
The Bostonians will sing robin Hood"
In the Stockbridge and Matinee courses.
October 10th and 18th. This opera was COM
posed by Harry B. Smith and Reginald De-
Koven, and was first produced in Chicago
last June. The plot concerns the efforts
made by Robin Hood to claim, early in the
18th century, the title and estates of the
earldom of Huntington. claim to which,
according to tradition, he had no small pre-
tensions. The sheriff, who is custodian of
the estates, endeavors to substitute as the
earl a young country lout named Guy of Gis-
borne. Robin Hood makes the life of the
sheriff miserable by rallyiug an hundred
men about him in Sherwood Forest, from
which retreat they make expeditions for
booty throughout the country, robbing
the rich and helping the poor, de-
frauding some and defending others. OF
course Robin Hood comes to his own, and
his ''merrie men" become good citizens in
the finale of the opera, to finish up the story
pleasantly.
The mucia 10 hoar, aIaip 30 1No |,
yet written by an American musician for the
comic opera stage. and the late successful
performances at Music Hall, Boston, fully
Justify the claim. Mr.. DeKoven proved
himself to be a scholarly musician in his
don Quix0te," but In his "Robin Hood" he
has shown himself to be possessed of fer
tility of musical thought, fund of tuneful
themes aud an originality in their treatment
that stamps him as a peer of the worlds
composers in this line. or course the Bos-
tonians give the opera rare rendering both
as regards the singing and the comedy parts.
Mr.. Barnabee appears as the High Sheriff."
Mr.. Hoff as robin Hood" Mr.. Macdonald
as Little john" Mr.. Cowles as "Will Scar
let" Marie Stone as "Mad Marian" and
Jessie Bartlett Davis as ALLAN Dale"
Secure course tickets this week, for single
evening tickets will be placed on sale next
Saturday.
HANDS ACROSS THE SEA.
1t is doubtful II any recent melodrama has
been brought to such pitch of realistic eff
feet as is now shown in Glands Across the
Sea-" Whatever may have been the origi-
nal defect of the story, stage management
has redaampd n IN tho ava aud tho spaota
tors are held In continuous interest by an
unparalleled succession of animated pic
lures and events that leave no chance for de-
murrer. Mr.. Jefferson has admirably
strengthened the acting roles. The cast is
strong one, and Miss Edna Carey never fails
to please. Islands Across the Sea" will be
at Portland Theatre the last three evenings
of this week.
Militia Men Discharged.