The Portland daily press., 1894-12-10
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Oliver Twist,

the drama offers a rare charm. In It's
traditions we see the methods employed
by the great actors of the past, ana on
their mastery efforts can the am mbitious
artist of today mould still greater sue
cess, surrounded as he is by the eiabo-
rate stage mechanism and scenic acces-
sories of the present. To that close STU
dent and adhirable actor, Mr. Frank d.
Keenan,, we are indebted for. the great
production of "Oliver Twist, "tosbe given
at Portland Theatre tomorrow evnenlng.
Sowing the Wind"
1t is delight to sit in comfortable
chair in a large, attractive hall, with
an agreeable atmosphere and possessing
stage and appointments that are cred
1T to the place, and to witness perform
ance of the excellence that attached to
the rep PRESENTATION of" Sowing the Wind, ("
by Mr.. Charles Frohman's admirable
company of players at City Hall, Satur-
day evening, in the Mitchell course.
Having said this much we are constrained
to add that strong as Mr.. Grundy's play
is in several of it's situations, brilliant
as is it's dialogue, and obtaining greater
force than it otherwise would perhaps,
from the quaint costuming that pertained
to. the early part of the century, still
there are moments when the play jars
upon our better self. and when the cur
tain falls, it leaves, like some bitter
but pleasantly disguised medicine,
taste in the mouth not wholly agreeable.
The story of the play is briefly this: Mr..
Brabazon, in his younger days, 1ell III
love with Helen Gray. His father op-
posed the match, and they were sepa-
rated, but daughter was the result OF
the intimacy. of which fact Mr.. Brapa-
zon was ignorant. The mother went to
therbad ands became the mistress OF Lord
Petworth. MIR. Brabazon married, but
no children blessed the union. linen ne
adopted Jack Annesley. the son OF an OLD
friend. Helen Gray's daughtr, unsullled
by her surroundings, possessing Won
dertul voice, fed from Lord PetWorth
and her mother, and by dint OF hard
work became noted as singer under
the uame of Miss .Athelstane. She met
JACK AnnesleY. and they fellxin- love. Mr..
Brabazon, not knowing who she was,
and impelled by his devoted friend.
Mr.. watkins, will not allow the match.
Finally he finds out she is his daughter,
that her life has been blameless, and he
becomes as anxious that she shall mar
ry his son as before he was obstlnately op-
posed. 1t is in the scenes between Mr..
Brabazon and Miss Athelstane, when
the two defend their sexes, the one
valiant champion for the mother. the
other for the father and in the one IN
Jacks apartments in London, where Sir
Richard Ccrzitor, sporting rogue OF
the period, is introduced, that the
strength of the drama lies, and it is in
the admirable acting of Miss Hampton
and Mr.. Mills, who presents respectively
Rosamond Athelstone and Jack Annes.
lev, that that strength is driven nome In
the minds of the audience. Miss sHamp-
toms Characterization was lovabte. in
tense, full OF a quiet pathos that brought.
tears to many eyes. 1t was, in its way,
a sermon more forcipl than any
preached from the pupit, because, as in
many. cases it.was true. And it was this
that left he disagreeable taste in the
mouth, the fact that such things are
true, and exist in this fin de steele, as
it did in that Of the last, and as far back
as time endures. Mr.. Mills's Jack Annes-
ley was high-spirited, manly, generous.
Mr.. Gilmour was a..strong. representative
of Mr.. Brabazon, character weak as
water, but willing to atone as far as lay
in his power for the errors of his youth.
That excellent artist. Mr.. THOMAS
Within, who has been SO many years
with the Frohman's, and who will be
remem bered, with his wife. as two OF
the best comedians ever seen in Portland
during the later years of the war, gave
a most artist impersonation of the grnff,
cynical Watkins. Mr.Guy Standing was
very good as the sporting, vapid Sir Rich
ard, and Mr.. Springer was fair lord Pet'
worth, although his makeup was not
calculated to impress one as that of the
aged Lothario, scion of a-.noble house.
The other characters were acceptable.
The curtain was called at the end OF
every act. There was very large and
brllliant,audience present.
Hawaii.
Next Thursday evening will see thu
first performance of the comic opera
Of Hawaii, by the Athletic Club at
City Hail. There has been great de-
mand for seats to these entertainments
but still good seatstremain, because there
will be three performances. BE sure and
get, seats for the opening night at Mitch
ell's ticket office, No. 542 Congresszstreet,
because you will want to give the body
a good send off.
Schooner Orlando, OF Boston. Captain
Grezequel, in ballast, Hayti to Whining
ton, was wrecked off Long Island, in the
C,bor,oe on the 0d inst Tho oravv ond