The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-14
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Margaret NIather.

1t is some five or six years since that
popular actress, Miss Margaret Mather
has been seen in Portland. When she
last visited this city her principal sup
port was that excellent actor Otis Skin
ner. Last night she appeared at Port
land theatre as Juliet to Frederick Pauld
ing's ROmeo-or perhaps it would be
more proper to say that Mr.. Pauldlng
appeared as Romeo to Miss Mather's
Juliet.
Miss Mather's Juliet is wellknOwn to
theatre-goera Since last seen hera the
lady has gained somewhat in avoirdupois,
but that serves to heighten and round
out rather than to detraot from her
charms of persons. Her four great scenes,
into which she throws herself with
feryoP and passion that calls forth sim
cere applause, are the balcony scene; the
parting from Romeo after he has killed
Tybalt, and been banished from Verona;
the determination not to wed Paris, and
the death scene in which her fall has
become celebrated for its uniqueness.
The audience called the curtain at the
close Of each Of these scenes.
Miss Mather possesses one sterling at
traction apart from the merits of her
acting, that it would be well for other
actors if they would initiate her. She
delivers her lines with a clearness of
enunoiation that enables every word,
whether in ordinary speaking voice, or
in the height of passion, to be heard dis
tinotly in every part of the house. Be-
sides the scenes of passion of which we
have spoken, Miss Mauher is very happy
in the scene with the old nurse in which
she begs for news of Romeo.
Mr.. Paulding was a very good Romeo.
He delivered his lines well, and he acted
with Intelligence and appreciation of
the character. Mr. W. S. Hart made a sat
isfactory Merou ito. He received round
of applause for his recitati on of the
Queen Nab legend, aud was particularly
good in this encounter with Tybalt and
his death scene. Mr. II. A. Weaver, a
sterling old actor, was a most effective
Friar Laurence, and Mr.. VIM. Farrin as
Paris, E. n. Hoyt as Capulet, and
Leslie Mathews as Tybalt were accepta-
BILE. The other parts were we'll filed.
The m1nuet in the first act was well done
and most agreeable feature. The play
was well costumed-Miss Mather's cos
TUNES wore very rich-and fairly we'll
staged. -
This afternoon "The Lady of Lyons"
will be the bill and tonight "Leah." Err
There was large audience last eve.
ming and there will probably be two
crowded houses today.
Wilbur Opera Company.
This favorite organization will play an
engagement at the Portland theatre,
opening Monday night, March 10Th, for
two weeks only, with matinees daily, ex-
cept Mondays They come this year
stronger than ever, with several additions
10 their already extensive repertoire, and
a number of new and startling features.
Manager Wilbur is pleased to announce
that he has revived this season, upon
magnificent and elaborate scale, the cele-
DRAFTED marches and special dances which
met with such favor in the past. An en-
tire new set Of march costumes has been
provided, and under the glare of eight
calcium lights, present scene Of dazzling
beauty which will not soon be forgotten.
A notable addition has been made to the
productions of the company this season
In the shape of a sumptuous revival of
number of the fayorite operas of long ago
including, "Martha' Mariana, !"
"Faust. and many others, and the sue
cess with which they have been received
throughout the country certainly proves
that the public are as fond as ever of the
old, familiar strains which have not even
yet lost their power to charm. Several of
the old operas will be given here in con-
junction with full quota of the favorite
comic operas of the day.
The Tufts College GIee Club.
This admirable organization will give
a concert in Kotzsohmar hall on the eve
Mug of Tuesday, March 81. This club is
under the instruction of Prof Geo R.
Lewis of Tufts College, one Of the most
accomplished musicians in the country
The trustees of the college have recently
established a professorship of music and
elected Prof. Lewis to fill the place. The
concert will give great satisfaction
Notes.
Nat Goodwin tickets will be sold at
Stookbridge's Saturday morning, March
21st.
The Royal Hand Bell Ringers will
give the eighth Stockbridge
Miss Jerry will not come unit! April.