The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-02-11
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Special Delivery .

iOpcoidl DellVefy, was present.
ed at Portland theatre to an audience of
very slim proportions down stairs, but
or fair numbers in the balcony and gal
cry. The drama depends for its populari-
ty upon the fact that it revolves around
letter carrier as It's principal feature,
and presents two special scenes, the In
terror of the mail department of a post
Office and view of the bridge of the
Harlem river, by moonlight, With It's
movable draw.
Mr.. E. E. MoFadden as Ned Caring
ton the postman in love with Agnes
Howard, a bankers daughter, is the OBJ
jeet of the hatred of Jasper Collier, who
has been adopted by Agnes father whose
confidence he abused. Jasper kills the
banker, but is detected by his old pal
Dick Cotton. Then ensues the usual
melodramatio series of escapades ending
in the union of Darlington and Agnes,
and the downfall Of the plotting Jasper.
The acting of several Of the characters
was better than the play. Mr.. McFad-
den was bright and manly as the post.
man, Mr.. Alex Kearney, Mr.. J. X. Nor
timer was natural and strong as JAS
per's pal, Miss Tassie Deagh was very
good as Agnes and Mr.. Harry Beresford
was acceptable as the banker Howard.
The special scenes were fair, but the post
Office must have been located in very
small town from the quiet that pre-
vailed. The audience seemed we'll pleased
for they applauded literally and called
the curtain after each act.
Humanity.
Humanity" which William A. Brady
is to produce at Portland theatre tonight
and Wednesday is play to take the
popular fancy and hold it, being full of
life and struggle. 1t deals with war but
not of the noisy sort, the scenes being
presented in war tableaux. Through it
all runs stream of treachery and vindio
tiveness in the relation of one man to his
fellows. In two of the acts the scenes
are laid in South Africa, an entirely new
field for the dramatic writer. In the
first act there is foxhunting scene,
which is very picturesque. The second
presents the ruins of an old abbey and
in the third is broadsword com bat on
horseback This is participated in by
Mr.. Grlsmer who is the leading man,
and who, by the way, Is an expert swords
man. and by Captain Swift the broad
sword champion. In the fourth act the
scenic effect is claimed to be startling.
The cast is large and strong one and a
masterful production is promised.
Faust.
The spectacular event of the season on
Thursday and Friday at Portland theatel
will be the appearance of Mr.. JOSEPH
Callahan, the only American Mephiste
In Faust" surrounded by strong com
pany Of, players Of acknowledged repute
this presentation is particularly elaborate
introd uoing novel electrical and mechan-
ioal effects and new special scenery and
spectacular embellishments. Mr.. Gala
ham will be supported by powerful cast
including Miss Beatrice Ingram as the
guileless and affectionate Marguerite,
Edwin Boring, in the title role of
Faust" and Mrs. Addie Farwell, as the
droll and amusing Dame Martha. Mr..
Callahan's conception of the wiley demon
is In every respect credit and is never
overdrawn or strained for effect, he pos
sessing all the physical attributes for the
part and acting forcibly throughout. The
Broken scene will be one of unsurpassed
grandeur and never eqlaiied and The
pOtheosis one Of the most beautiful of
Sal g pictures, tho ascension Of Marguerite
To Heaven, introducing the Faust"
Quartette male and female in classic and
sacred music accompanied by the Floren-
tine Choir singers six in number.
Helen Beach Yaw.
Footiights thus speaks of Ellen Beach
Yaw, the phenomenal singer, who will
be heard in Portland, the 18th inst, and
tickets for whose concert arc on sale at
Stookbridge's: "Ellen Bach Yaw made
hes first appearance in Philadelphia on
Saturday evening last at the Acad,my OF
Music and fulfilled all promises made.
She was advertised as the greatest
ranged soprano in the world.' Her man.
ayers did not promise us Patti, but the
greatest ranged soprano in the world.
Miss Yaw has the proud distinction of
bolAs Juoe Wudp ~ was duf6iblS6u. LAX
ing her from a purely musical stand
point, she is but mediocre. In the laugh
ing song by Auber she showed to more
advantage than III Bizet's Tarantelle,
but in neither Of the above selections was
her performance, judging solely from the
musical standard, of character te
awaken enthusiasm from the critical
Yet Miss Yaw's ranges is phenomenal,
and if she did not please the critics YET
she certainly pleased the biggest audience
I ever saw crowded into the Academy Of
Music And success, after all, is your
true criterion of greatness.
'Misa Yaw's sweet throat note will
form,
That scars to regions strange
Her middle register is warm
She has SO wide a range"
Old Folks.