The Portland daily press., 1895-01-15
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
In Old Kentucky.

!. "In Old Kentucky" which, for ten
weeks drew crowded audiences to Boston
theatre, had its first representation in
this city at Portland theatre last night.
1t is melo drama, an American play,
typical of the character and conditions
of life in the blue grass region OF Ken
tncky with plenty. of life and action,
free from vulgarisms, and appealing
strongly to the average theatre audience
of the day. The plot in brief is this:
That Madge Briefly, mountain lass
lover Frank Layson, rich young Ken
tuckian, owner of the famed racer
Queen Bess, Joe Lorey, young moon
sinner is aso in love with Madge, and
hates Frank because Madge loves him.
He also is seeking for one Glenn Lindsay,
who murdered his father in order to
avenge his death. Lindsay is known as
II GRACE Holtop, rich trader in negroes,
and Holton's daughter wants to marry
Frank. OF course, in the end, Holton
meets with justice at Lorey's hands.
Frank and Madge are made happy and
Col. San 1usky Doolittle, a noted Ken
lucky SPECTATOR and horseman, a friend
of Madge's, marries Miss Althea Lay
son. who he has loved for twenty-five
years.
The part of Madge Briefly is admirably
taken by Miss Laura Burt. She is the
Kentucky mountain maiden to perfec-
tion. Mr. Forrest Robertson is strong
manly Frank Layson, Mr.. Z. Fl. Burns a
capital Col. Doolittle, Miss Ethel Grey
brooke an excellent Miss AlJhea, MIG.
W. Deyo forci BILE Joe Lorey, and Will
liam McVey su fi GENTLY. repulsive Hor-
ace Holton,
There are exciting situations in the
play. I he scene of the exploding bomb
wherein the heroine saves her lover, is
very realistic. So, too, is her swinging
leap across the mountain chasm, her
rescue of the race horse Queen Bess from
the burning stable, and the race scene
itself, but aside from these great climax
es are many minor incidents, the skill
full combination of which makes the
great interest in the play.
A very strong feature of the drama is
the band of p1ckaninies. gathered from
various parts of the South, whose sing
ing and dancing brought forth thun-
derous applause, especially the STICK
twirling of the young bandmaster and
the eccentric dancing of Burt Grant the
great buck and soft shoe dancer. There
was a splendid audience present and
the encores were numerous, and the cur
tain called after every act. The play
will be repeated tonight.
The Tornado.
The first Of the famous realistic pro-
auctions of Lincoln j. Carter to be seen
in this city is "The Tornado" to be
presented at the Portland Theatre to-
morrow and Thursday evenings. Mr..
Carter's career as playwright and pro-
Queer has been short, but remarkably
brilliant. His first success, "The Fast
MALI made for him the name of being
the greatest inventor, of novel stage
effects in this country "The Fast Mail"
made phenomenal Fit, and is now being
played in this country, England and
Australia. The Tornado" has proved to
be even greater success, eXcelllnS lbs
predecessor in the beauty, originality
and realistic effect of its principal scenes.
1t will be revelation to our theatre
goers. The play itself is a remarkably
strong and well written melodrama,
while the company is composed of able
artists. '--ssaaeaa TN
alvin Joslin.
CharlesiL Davis as Uncle Alvin" in
the familiar comedy drama, calvin
Joslyn," will make his farewell appear
arce at the Portland Theatre next Satur-
day evening. The play, as Is well known,
is interesting and brimtul of fun, and
possesses a strong plot, cleverly devel-
oped. AS Uncle Alvin Mr.. Davis is the
same old rough diamond. whose very
first appearance starts an epidemic OF
laughter that does not cease until the
final TALL of the curtain. A complete
equipment of new scenery will add to
the charm of the production. The sale
of seats commences tomorrow morning.