The Portland daily press., 1894-09-24
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Much Ado About Nothing.

leading man, and g. W. Macdonald, NJ.
L. Alsop, Joseph O'Meara, Fred Hight,
Rachael Deane, Isabel Waldron and Mar
garet Whitaker. To such artists as Mile.
Rhea we are indebted for the continu.
ance of the legitimate and standard dra-
ma, where the general tendency is tow
ard a decadence, and its place supplied
lists bring to the stage more natural en-
thusiasm that is found in the cold Eng
lish nature; They never lose an intense
love for these standard plays, in which
they find such scope and opportunity for
attainment. The play will be well staged
and elegantly costumed.
Shore Acres
The scenes in Shore Acres" are truth
full, vivid and moving, while never over
the bounds of reason. The
story is entirely human and deeply inter-
esting; it's many character-types are
sharply differentiated, and its dialogue
abounds--ln homely sayings and quaint
humor. Mr.. Herne has, in "Shore
Acres" furnished play that is sure of
a long and prosperous existence, and
his impersonation of the ideal hero. Ma
thaniel Berry, will live as one OF the
characterizations of the pres
ent epoch. In writing "Shore Acres"
however, Mr.. Herne avoided what SO
many actor-authors are inclined to do,
that is one part play. He mas aimed to
present many different characters in
strong light and has permitted them all
to show their natures to the public
Shore Acres" will be seen at Portland
Theatre Thursday evening.
Dockstader's Minstrels.
Popular Lew Dockstader, Portland's
favorite minstrel, comes to Portland
Theatre next Saturday afternoon and
evening, at the head of the best compa-
ny he has ever been connected with. The
has been on the road since
early in August, and has scored wonder
full success everywhere it has appeared.
Lew himself has an entirely new and
original sketch, during the course Of
which he introduces three new songs
This morning the seats go on sale at the
box Office
Gentleman Jack.
Seats for Champion James J Corbet
appearance at the Portland I heatre next
Friday evening went on sale at the box
Office Saturday morning, and found eager
purchasers. A large block of them were
bought for party of Portland Athletic
Club men. Corbett Will play the title
Jack" the piece in which he made SO
great hit in England last Sc ason.
The Knickerbockers.
The Robin Hood Opera Company pro-
duced DeKoven's opera of "The Kniek-
for the first time in this city,
at City Hall, Saturday evening, to large
and musical audience, but not such
house as the company deserved.
"The Knickerbockers" deals with the
early history of New York. whenIit was
known as New Amsterdam, and under
the control of the Dutch, and there were
conflicts between them and the Puritans.
Peter Stuyvesant is governor, and his
daughter Katrina is in love with
Captain Bradford, of the Puritans. The
opera hangs on their love tale. Then
there is the pretty Priscilla and Hem
drick Schermerhorn, her lover, son of
the burgomaster; Anthony Won CorIear,
the trumpeter, pompous, conceited fell
low, who thinks the world depends on
his beck and nod; Jan Snyder, young
sailor, afterwards a captain, and Die
trick ..Schermerhorn, the burgomaster
himself. Besides these principal charac-
tiers there are the usual accomplishments
of soldiers, sailors, Puritan maidens,
Dutchmen and Puritans.
There is much about the music of the
"Knickerbockers" to commend. 1t is
bright and tuneful, and in several in
stances rises to high dramatic power.
Like all of DeKoven's music, there are
continued reminders of operatic airs you
have heard elsewhere, or OF popular
songs. But this is not singular to De
Koven. The pirating of other mems
brains is quite common in the musical
world of today. The libretto is very poor.
There is hardly a bright line in the
whole dialogue, there are but one or two
situations, and there is some rather
queer" business dragged in, like the
Dutch peasant women's dance. "The
KnickerbocKers, if furnished with a
proper libretto, may be made strong
opera.
The good opinion formed of the COM
pany in Robin Hood was strengthened by
their work in the "Kniekerbockers. !"
Misses Risley, Palmer and Ulmer,
Messrs. Herschell, Cavassant, Bills, DAY.
id, Nickolds and the minor characters
were all praiseworthy. Mr.. Herschell is
not mucn of singer, but he is good
comedian. All the principals evidently
have talent, but they have not apparent
ly had thorough musical training. Miss
Risley as Katrina deserved the encore
for her spinning wheel song in the Sec
act. MISC pa1n,or Priscilla