The Portland daily press., 1891-11-13
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
MEN AND WOMEN.


mans New York company, which had
been playing "Men and Women" at the
new Columbia theatre, Boston, would not
Visit Portland, there was feeling with
many theatre-goers that the company Mr..
Frohman would send here would not give
SO complete and finished an Interpretation
OF De Mile and Belasco's great play of the
day as would do it any measure of justice.
IL must be admitted by these doubters that
they were much mistaken, for Mr.. Froh-
man never sends an inadequate company
out on the road-at least such Is the expe-
rience here.
The audience gathered at Portland thea
tire last evening was large, even If 1t did
not crowd the house, and It was-what is
has described as icy and impassive-en-
thusiastic, and the enthusiasm was justi-
fed. The plot of "Men and Women" has
been published. 1t deals. as is we'll known,
with the prevailing theme of the day, bank
defaulting, and play of great vigor is
interesting and happy thought In the con-
struction OF the piece was to make the
father of the girl whom this embezzler loves,
an ex-convict, who has served his time for
the same fault as her lover served and
then led an honest life under an assumed
name and become very rich man and the
governor OF territory. Perhaps the
strongest and most telling scenes are those
where he informs the district attorney, who
prosecuted him and still pursues him, that
he has still to learn, nat having paid the
penalty for his crime, he must still remain
Q criminal in the sight of man and look to
forgiveness only from his God. 1t was in
this character of Stephen Rodman, govern
or of Arizona, that Mr.. Thomas Hamilton
made great hit last evening. or COM
manding presence, deep rich voice, pos
sessed Of beautiful modulatlons, he in
n al nj 10
pathetic. dignifed, strong, and he received
the hearty applause he merited.
The role of the district attorney and
counsel for the bank had capital repre-
membered here as the Mr.. Percival in
Jim the Penman." In that wonderful,
realistic midnight session of the bank d.
rectors at President Cohen's house, he was
seen at his best, land the cool, persistent
questioning of the lawyer, which is infu-
full pleasure was highly relished by pro-
fessioHai men in the audience. just here
1t is proper to mention that better con-
structed scene in the modern drama than
that one OF the directors meeting Is not
known to u.s. Each Of them has his dis
tinct individuality, and the old man PEN
dleton-Mr. j. Woodward-was an eccen-
trio characterization that brought him out
in bold relief from the perfection of the
portraiture. he is better In the part than
the actor who assumed it in Boston.
Mr.. Henry Dalton as President Cohen,
made a gentlemanly. polished and effective
presentation. The comedy element Of the
play was furnished to the delight of their
hearers by Col. Kipp, the congressman
from JeTsey--Mr. T. A. Wise-and Mrs.
Delafeld-Miss Eleanor Tyndale. The al
lusions OF the member from Jersey to the
member from Bangor were peculiarly hap
Ply, and will be, no doubt. enjoyed fully In
the Queen City If the company goes there.
The part of Agnes Redman, was fairly
strong representation by Miss Esther Lyon
and the other parts were all In good hands.
The piece was fairly well mounted. and
hered as one of the most agreeable dramat-
ic performances of the year. The audi
ence called the curtain after each act.
CONCERT AT SOUTH PORTLAND.
Miss Freda G. Morrell, the whistling So
l0ist, will give concert at Seaside hail.
South Portland, next Tuesday evening, as
sisted by Miss Getchell, soprano; Miss
Josephine, Tucker. contralto.; Mr., John
p. WEIGH, baritone; Mr.. John A. MCGOWAN,
elocutionist, and Miss Florence M. Best,
pianist Barges will leave the city and re-
turn after the concert
MIDNIGHT ALARM.
This production, which will be seen at
Portland theatre this and Saturday evsn-,
ings and Saturday afternoon, Is a melo-
drama In which Is employed realistic stage
business to sensational extent. The COM
pany carries extensive mechanical effects
and scenery. Conspicuous among the
startling features are the living statue
clock, flight Of the lighting express and the
midnight alarm.
AUSTRIAN JUVENILE BAND.
The Boston Journal speaks of the first
concert by this band Of boys, given In Bos-
ton Wednesday night as follows:
These lads range from twelve to eighteen
years of age. and some idea of the size of the
smallest Of them may be realized from the fact
that a few were noticed who could not touch
their feet to the floor when sitting in their
chairs.
Their ability was promptly acknowledged to
be innate and OF remarkable order. 1t Is in
deed wonderful how well these little fellows
play. They appear to have imbibed musical
nutriment all their lives, as well as to have in
herited musical natures. Few countries In
deed could produce such an organization of tai
ented youths.
NOTES.
The list is still open for subscribers TO
the Kneisel concerts at StOckbridge's. The
first concert will be open November 10th.
The Fisk Jubilee Singers will appear in
the Stockbridge Popular. November 18th,
and 'Ship Alloy" November oath aud 25th.
The Players Club will give "Pygmalian
and Galatea" at City hall, THANKSGIVING,
November 26tb, and tickets will be on sale
at Chambers music store tomorrow at a.