The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-03-14
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
CORA EDSALL.

CORA EDSALL.
Last evening Miss Cora EdsalI, Mr.. j. M.
Hills new star, made her first appearance at
Portland Theatre, before a large audience,
who endured the discomforts of a warm,
dirty night, out doors, and the close atmos-
phere of the theatre, in order to see the lady,
and the new play. 1.-THE Pembertons."
synopsis of the plot of Mr. Carleton's
melo-drama was given in yesterdays issue
and does not need repetition here. 1t is
similar in character to slim the Penman"
and other plays Of that ilk. 1t possesses
several strong situations, and these are made
the most Of by the talented company Mr..
Hill has engaged in support of his star. In
fact better company is rarely found on the
road, or, for that matter, in the metropolitan
theatres.
Miss Edsall bears slight resemblance, in
the upper part of the face to Margaret
Mather. AT any rate she reminds one of her.
She has pair of large expressive eyes, a
broad brow. and mobile features. The upper
part of her face is the most expressive. If it
has fault. it is lack of repose, at times,
which will come when the lady has greater
familiarity with her new role of star. Her
stage presence is good. Her delivery of her
lines, in the quieter scenes, is rather too
artificial. But in the stronger situations
she throws off the artihciality Of tone and
becomes forceful and natural. She was seen
at her best last evening at the close of the
second act in the scene where she learns who
her mother was and falls fainting to the
floor; at the close of the third act where she
nr00Iainc har
wjckedness; and in the death scene at the
close of the play. To appear to as much ad-
vantage as Miss Edsall does when associated
with the company Mr.. Hill has provided her,
is greatly to the credit of so young a
debutante and augurs we'll for her feature
At the close of the third act the curtain was
called, but the audience was not satisfied
even then, and insisted on Miss Edsalrs ap-
pearance before the curtain.
Mr.. Lackaye's Ramon was a very strong
Characterization. With great tendency to
Pemberton and Grude-when he first makes
his appearance-he was so natural and
effective that he won the favor of the au-
dience at the start. Messrs. Vessels as
Pemberton and Thompson as Crude were
probably as well fitted for the two villains
as could be found on any stage. Each in
manner and make up was perfect foil for
the other, and Grude's convict name, Ready,
the sneak" fitted his manner like glove.
Among the ladies Miss Busby was charm
ing Heloise-she was marked feature of
the play. Standard was excellent as
DeGroot. Mr.. Handyside's Stephen Brand,
Mr.. Arnold's DR.. Chilling gave great pleasure
and the other characters were worthy of ex-
tended mention.
Tonight the play will be repeated and we
have no doubt the house will be crowded.
wAsHBURN UNION.
There will be a change in the programme
of the Washburn Union entertainment this
evening. theyoung ladies presenting drama
entitled "Anita's Trial"
NOTES.
"Around the World in Eighty Days" will
be at Portland Theatre on Friday and Satur-
day evenings of next week.
The following operas will be given in Bos-
ton by the Patti Opera Company next week:
Monday, Othello, with the great tenor
Tamagno in the title role; Tuesday, Semir-
amide; Wednesday, Troydtore; Thursday
matinee, Martha; Thursday night, William
feIl Friday night, Faust, with Albani and
Rayelli Sataraay, grand matinee; Saturday
night, Lakme.
Salyini will play an engagement at the
Park Theatre, Boston, next week.
Shaw's Quartette, assisted by Miss Lizzie
Brown, Will give concert in Saco March