The Portland daily press., 1894-12-12
MUSIC AND DRAMA.



It's number of years since "Oliver
Twist" has been seen in Portland, the
last time at the old Portland Theatre on
Exchange street. 1t is not good play
in the sense of construction. for 1t
consists simply of series of scenes from
the book strung together as artistically
as perhaps it was possible. AS may nat
urally be understood it requires the best
of actors to interpret these characters
that have stood out in such bold relief
for so many years, Bill and Nancy Sykes,
Fagin the Jew, the Artful Dodger, and
Bundle. Charles Barron assumed the
role of Bill Sykes, the one he made SO
pronounced hit in years ago. Miss
Elita Proctor Otis, handsome woman,
assumed the role of Nancy. Her best
effort was in her ministrations to Bill
Sykes in their garrett room on Sykes S
recovery from illness. She bears herself
capably in the murder scene, and as COM
fortably as is consistent with the tradi-
tons of the play drags herself out onto
the centre of the stage, and with her
message of love and goodbye to the
man who had killed her does all that is
left for her to do Mr.. Frank Keenan, was
an effective Fagin, and Mr.. Mestayer as
Bum BILE, and Charles Choate as the
Dodger were excellent, and Miss Katie
Dooley was a pathetic Oliver. The
other characters were satisfactory. There
was some pretty scenery. especially that
representing London bridge. The or
ganization, as can well be believed, from
the names mentioned is very strong, and
the audience was very enthusiastic.
The Derby Mascot.
At the Portland Theatre this evening
Tor the first time in this city A. Y. Pear
sons superb production of the new rae
ing melodrama, "The Derby Mascot"
will be. seen. The play has a story
Astounding in exciting episodes, set upon
the stage in the most realistic manner.
The great race scene in particular is
said to be a marvel of realism, and has
never been exceIled as stage picture of
a running race. The mechanism in this
scene differs from any eyer before used
and depicts with great fidelity the
struggle between three blooded racers of
one of the highest turf honors, the
winning of the Texas Derby. Mr.. Pear
sons company is an organization of great
merit, including such people as Katie
Rooney, Dolly Theobald, Daisy Dixon,
Belle Stoddard, Paul Menifee, Randolph
Murray and Billy Raynore. The piece
is to be repeated tomorrow evening.
The Guv'nor.
The appearances of George Wilson and
his company at the Portland Theatre
next Friday and Saturday promise to
be among the leading events of the the
atrlcal season in this city. Mr.. Wilson's
impsrsonation of the old boat builder in
"The Guv'norn is well known to be one
of the most artistic pieces of comedy
acting known to the stage. The COM
pany to be seen in his support contains
number of old Museum favorites,
among them Mr.. Arthur Falkland Blu
chanan. A-matinee is to be given on
Saturday.
The cast for Mr.. W. H. Stock bridges
performance of Patience in Lewiston
this winter is practically complete ex-
cept for the soprano role of Patience. Mr..
James Gilbert will be stage manager.
Mrs. Jean Paul Selingr gave brilliant
reception Sunday night to Miss Marie
Burroughs. at her studio on Boylston
street, Boston, There were present about
200 ladies and gentlemen, representing
the leading social circle in that city.
Marian Manola, pale and with plain
tive little CULVER in her voice, just enough
to remind her friends of her recent severe
illness, sang at the concert at the Acade-
my of Music, New York, Sunday night.
Sic accompanied one of her songs with
music on the piano. Miss Manola twas
warmly welcomed and was overwhelmed
with flowers She seemed delighted to
appear once more before the New York
fnotlights. Her eyes sparkled at sight
of the flowers, and those in the front
row saw dew, drops in her eyes. There
was large audience.
Among the passengers who sailed for
Havre on the steamship La Bourgoyne
Saturday were Georgia Cayvan, for
eight years the leading woman OF the
lyceum Theatre Company, and her sister,
Alice Cayvan. Miss Cayvan goes direct
~ to Paris, where she intends to pass the
winter and spring at least, enjoying her
self in quiet way. Her plans Tor re-
turning to America have not yet been
even considered, and will not be until
she has fully recovered from the effects
of her continuous hard " ork of the last
eight years.