The Portland daily press., 1891-11-10
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE MERCHANT.

Miss Morton's prize play of "The Mer-
chant" that has been played In Boston the
past few weeks after its original produc-
tion In New York, was. the survivor of
three hundred dramas whose authors con-
tested the laurels with the, winner. On
that account one was prepared to expect
remarkably well constructed, original
and bright effort. The play, however, has
many faults Of construction. Its climaxes
are weak and its dialogue very uneven. At
times the dialogue is very bright, at others
1t is slangy. There is nothing to stir the
emotions, either because the actors are not
magnetic or because the dramatist had no
pathos In her composition. And yet there
Is much in the piece to interest even IL 1t
doesn't excite.
The story OF the play was published yes
terday. AS Myrtle Vanderstyle, the wife
Of the merchant. Miss Nadia Craigen
made pleasing society woman and in the
scene In the second act. where she repulsed
Dupre and showed her confidence in her
husbands bravery. only to be disappointed,
she was natural and strong. As Wander
style, the merchant, Mr.. Glendenning was
not so fortunate. He does not seem to
grasp the forceful, natural way of express
Ing deep emotion under the most trying
circumstances. But he pleased his au-
dience and received strong tokens Of
approval. AS Jess Morgan. from the
West, Miss Carrie Radcliffe was bright and
debonair, even If she did drop into slang
that would not be heard in polite drawing
rooms. Mr. Edward Poland was very
good as Lord NorthwIck, who shows that
all English lords don't stutter and behave
themselves like idiots. Mr.. Hastings was
satisfactory as Tubbs, the butler. One of
the best representations in the play was
that sterling actress Miss Anna Ccwell,
who was under the role of Caroline Van
Oesten, rather advanced In life but shrewd
aud keen. Miss Cowell belongs to
the Mrs. John Drew school in which every
movement IS study. Suffering from a
cold last night, she never theless carried
her part admirably, and one of the best
scenes in the drama was that In which the
misunderstanding occurs with Lord North
Wick and she supposes he has proposed to
the second act. The piece was well
mounted ami Will De repeated tonight.
AUSTRIAN JUVENILE BAND.
The Austrian Juvenile Band Is uni
formed exactly as Is the famous Austrian
Honorat regiment, and the boys need not
give point to the regimental band on ac-
count of their youth. The boys without
doubt form one of the best military bands
In the world, and the complete novelty of
their playing will be sure to create the
same amount of attention In America as 1t
has done in Europe. Miss Mary Glover,
the soprano vocalist, has been for four
years the soprano Of the charming quar-
tette of the Church of the Sacred Hart in
New York. and she Is also the soprano of
the beautiful new synagogue Just COM
pleted on Fifth avenue In that city. The
band will appear In the Stockbridge course
Saturday night and at the matinee
Saturday.
A despatch from New York TO yester-
days Boston Herald says OF the boys first
appearance In that city Saturday night:
"The audience was not large ore but
the dcZen gentlemen present had heard
every military baud organization Of any
prominence In America, from Ned Ken
dalfs DAY to the present time and they
were not an over enthusiastic assembly,
The boys came, were heard and conquered.
when they had concluded half dozen Sc.
lections all doubt as to their American
success had disappeared from the minds of
those present. IL was not necessary to
make allowances for their youth and some
OF the selections included in the improvised
programme were such as any military band
would take pride In playing. The toys
have stock Of compositions varing radi-
cally from those commonly heard iu mill
many novel effects which will quickly win
them favor with lovers of popular music.
To have their childish voices sing refrain
In the midst OF some composition, and to
have them point the musical Joke with a
shrill whistle on their fingers in real boy
Iashion. is bit OF a trick that will surely
catch the fancy OF the average public"
MIDNIGHT ALARM.
A Rochester. N. z, paper said of this
attraction which will be at Portland
theatre Friday and Saturday:
"The mania for realism on the stage ap-
pears to be unbounded. Fire engines,
patrol wagons, buzz saws, stamping mills
mrror aIq saw mus IS nave neen used to hold the
these features are as nothing compared
with The Midnight Alarm presented at
Jacobs Academy last night. The Mid
night Alarm Is bound to please because 1t
goes long distance toward satisfying the
current rage for realism"
THE STOCK BROKER.
The "StOck Broker" will appear at Port
land theatre tomorrow evening. This is a
satire on the stock brokerage business in
tended TO please, TO make you laugh, to
remind you Of every day life and what may
oIten % seen In the brokers' Offices OF the
present Gay. No expense has been spared
entertainment now on the road. The
company Is headed by the following we'll
known people: Richard Meredith, Fred
montague, Charles Booker, Zeph GOude-
cault. Bert Wood, j. @. Edwards, John
Slayin, J. Z. Gilbert, Harry Mackey,
Lillian Cook, Clara Scarlette, Alice Gil
bert, Alice Ames, Jennie Schumann.
DEDICATION OF KoTzscHMAR HALL.
The dedication Of Kotzschmar Hall takes
place this evening. The managers have
produced programme which will delight
musical people. The list of talent which
has been engaged consists OF the Haydn
tion Of Mr.. Koizschmar; Rossini Club, 30
members, under the direction OF Mrs.
Edward M. Rand; Singers Club, 80 voices,
Harvey s. Murray, leader; Philharmonic
Orchestra, 80 pieces, W. K. Chandler,
leader; Haydn Quartette. and Ladies'
entertainment will be given to the differ
ent organizations participating. Beautiful
souvenir programmes will be given away
bearing portrait of Mr.. Kotzschmar. The
ushers will be in full dress. The pro-
gramme was published yesterday.
MEN AND WOMEN.
This is the plot Of "Men and Women"
which will be produced at Portland theatre
Thursday evening: The Jefferson Ma.
tional bank is in trouble and unless great
deal Of money can be raised 1t will have to
close. There has been defalcatlon and
suspicion points to Edward Seabury, the
ASSISTANT cashier. who is friend Of Pres
rra rfescott g allows the guilt to % misplaced.