The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-09-28
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
shore Acres.


were located for it's initial representa-
ton. At that time the PRESS took oc-
casion to speak in the highest terms OF
the play and of the Characterization OF
Nathaniel Berry by MIR. Herne.' The opln-
ion this paper then expressed was after
wards endorsed by the leading journals
of the country, and today there is no
drama upon the boards more wholesome,
more realistic, or that holds an audi
ence's attention more firmly than does
AShore Acres"
1t is not necessary to rehearse the plot
of this idyl of the Maine coast at this
late day. 1t is well known to theatre
goers. MIR. Herne's Nathaniel Berry Is
a portraiture that will stand alongside
of Jefferson's Rip Van Winkle;" some
thing to hold a place in the annals of
the stage. Its great charm lies in its
perfect naturalness. The scene in which
he speaks of the proposed sale, by his
brother, of the knoll where his mothers
remains lie buried is full of artistic
touches. The comedy scenes in the seq
ond act, where he prepares the cranber-
ry sauce, makes the gravy for the tur-
key and cleans little Mile BeIry's face,
are delightful. There is rare touch
of pathos in the few words with which
he hands his mothers wedding ring to
Helen, and almost powerful. because I'M
exaggerated, the scene when he allows his
passionate emotion to burst forth 10 the
struggle with Martin in the Lighthouse.
But perhaps the last scene where he pre-
pares the kitchen for the night, and
slowly and laboriously climbs the long
stairs to bed, while the snow dashes
against the window pane and the fire
light throws it's broad shadows across
the floor, full as it is of poetry and pa
all.
: The support was the Fifth Avenue
Theatre company of Me-. York, and, from
its excellence greatly enhanced the success
of the representation. Mr.. Robert Fisch-
er's Martin, Mr.. Robert T. GalIoway's
Joel, Mr.. Franklin Garland's Josiah
Blake, could hardly have been improved.
Mr.. Dean was fair Sam Warren, and
Master Charles Hamlin did a clever bit as
young Nat Berry. Grace Gaylor Clark
as Ann Berry, Miss C. franklin as Helen,
Miss Helen Gould as Liddy Ann, and
little Daisy Stevenson as Milly, and Lii
liam Gentle as little Mandy Gates, were
all good. The dinner scene was capt.
tai, and the odor of the roast turkey
aroused many a dormant appetite in the
audience. The scene where the Liddy
Ann sails past the lighthouse in the
southeastern was quite realistic.
One reason for the artistic finish of
the whole production arises from the
TACT that in every scene the mem bers of
the company carried out the spirit of
their surroundings in the way that has
made Irving's company such a success.
There was afsplendid audience present.
Every seat was taken, land Standing
room onlynwas early announced. The
curtain was called at the end of each
act, and at the end of the third the au-
dience insisted on Mr.. Herne and Mr..
Fischer's appearance. The play was well
staged.
Gentleman Jack,
At the Portland Theatre this evening
James j. Corbett. the champion of the
world. will appear in the American come
dy drama, Gentleman Jack" Those who
go thinking only of seeing the man him
self will bessagreeably surprised, for our
exchanges say they will witness play
of great merit, spleudidiy staged and
played by an excellent company. Since
his first appearance on the stage Corbett
has been the wonder of the dramatic
critics, for he has proved himself to be
an excellent actor. He is handsome,
manly easy and graceful, while his de-
livery is clear and distinct, and every
motion and gesture natural. Unlike
many other stars Mr.. Corbett works very
hard himself for he is on in every act a
greater part of the time. He will un-
douDtely receive great ovation upon
his first entrance for it will be his first
appearance in this city since he defeated
Sullivan and Mitchell.
Lew Dockstader is this season at the
head of the finest minstrel company that
ever bore his name. This is very
strong statement for he has never ap-
peared in connection with any other than
the best but it will be thoroughly borne
out by the performances to be given at
che Portland Theatre Saturday afternoon
and evening. The organization is COM
posed of the very cream OF MINISTRIES in
Guiding Frank Dumont Mcintyre and
Heath, the three Maryelles, j. G. Harring-
ton, George S. Preston. Sharp and Flat,
Pete Grin, Frank II. White and Harry
Leighton to say nothing of the great Lew
himself. A special price has been made
for children for the matinee twenty-five
cents admitting them to the best seats
In the house.
Wang.
October End to City Hall there will
come one of the most successful of all
comic operas. "Wang,n which has been
equipped this season with new scenery,
costumes on an elaborate SCALE. and
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