The Portland daily press., 1890-12-20
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE cnEMENcEAu CASE.

THE CHEMENCEAU CASE.
Ever since Miss Sybil johnson essayed the
part of LA in ''The Clemenceau Case" and.
as the model in the studio scene, clad in
tights and tight fitting Jersey, made her.
self and the play the town topic of New
York, there has been an interest created in
the drama all over the country that the piece
would never otherwise have obtained.
The plot of the Clemenceau Case is as
feverish and unwholesome as attaches to
any of its school of French translations. A
Russian countess who has lived fast. and
spent about all her money, has lovely
daughter, who is as full, If not fuller, than
her mother Of arts and wiles. The young
grand duke Serge has fallen in love with
her and pursued her to Paris, whence the
pair have been banished by the Russian
authorities. The countess however sees
plainly by that it won't do for her daughter
to get into trouble with the Car. Pierre
Clemenceau, rising young sculptor. has be-
come infatuated with la, lends her mother
money, and finally marries the daughter.
But, after marriage. NJ. Constantin Ritz, a
friend Of Pierre discovers an intrigue, after
the marriage going on between liza and Serge,
who has returned to Paris, after the death
OF his father, with a great fortune. Nine.
Clemenceau, a sufferer from heart disease.
overhears conversation between Constan-
tin and liza in which the former tells the
latter that he knows all of her wickedness.
Inc shock OF the news produces fatal at
tack of heart disease. but LA protesting her
love for Pierre, and Pierre returning at his
mothers last moments on earth, she dies
forgiying liza. Then la writes Serge and
gives the letter to her husband to post. He
however reads 1t and discovers his wife's
guilt. He returns home and confronts both
her and her mother, and, after upbraiding
them for their villany. turns them off. Serge
enters and duel ensues in which Serge is
killed. OF coursh the wicked adventures
gets her deserts.
Such is the play. The version presented
here is no worse and NO better than other
French plays that have gained quite name
and drawn crowded and fashionable au-
diences. Some of the situations are very
strong, noticeably the death of Nine. Clemen-
ceau at the close of the third act, and the
scene between the husband and wife and
death Of Serge in the duel at the close of the
fourth act. The risky scene, the modelling
OF liza, in the third act, was very we'll man.
aged. Like many another thing of the kind
1t is the suggestion rather than the exposure
itself that creates a sentiment against it.
But there really is no more actual exposure
than every burlesque actress INDUCES In
nightly and without question.
The acting was good. Mr.. Barrymore
gave fervor and intensity to the part of
Pierre. Mr.. Ottomeyer was excellent as
Serge. His accent, his appearance, his ac-
tion all conspired to give realism to the re-
presentation. Mr.. Smily was self possessed,
quiet and gentlemanly as Constantin. Miss
Matte Earle was good Countess, if lack
ing somewhat In elegance. Mrs. Forester
was fair Nine. Clemenceau, and Miss
Curtisse satisfactory liza in the stronger
situations. The curtain was called twics at
the end of both the third and fourth acts.
There was large audience present. The
play will be repeated at the matinee and the
evening performance today. The scenery is
brought from the Standard Theatre in New
York, having been used when the play was
produced there.
LoTHRoP's STOCK COMPANY.
Lothrop's stock company will be at Port
land Theatre all next week, producing
"The California Detective" the first Of the
week and Escaped from Sing Sing" the lat
ter play in which Mr.. Mellon as Richard
Fenley, young English farmer, is falsely
accused by a designing woman. his wife,
and suffers Imprisonment in Sing Sing from
which he escapes determined upon revenge
upon his faithless wife. In his efforts to
elude the police and to confuse his enemies
he assumes several characters. Miss Stella
Ainsworth, the beautiful young romantic
actress will appear as Elizabeth Sedley latter
wards Laura Livingstone. an adventures
This role affords her ample opportunity for
the display of several handsome toilets.
Both plays will be presented with every at
tention to detail as regards scenic mechan-
ical effects and those attending are certain to
enjoy dramatic treat in the highest sense
of the word.
NOTES.
1.-THE Irish Corporal" will be at Portland
Theatre the 10Th and Both instant.
Anna Ward Tiffany, in 1.-THE Stepdaugh-
ter" will be at Portland Theatre the Sist
instant.
Chanfrau, in kit" will be at Portland
Theatre Jan. 1st.
Lothrop's stock company will present John
A. Steyens'S "Unknown" at Portland The
atre Jan. I'd and Sd.
Imported and Domestic Perfumes. Schlot-