The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-09-04
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Man o. wars Man.

Mr.. Thos. E.Shea, who has made him
self marked favorite with Portland
theatre audiences, opened a season of
three nights and matinee at Portland
theatre, last evening, In j. W. Harkins'
drama of "The Man-O'-War's Man."
Tho rain poured, the lightning flashed,
and the thunder clsps reyerberated, but
the public wanted TO see the play and
they were not deferred from attending by
any such trifles. They almost filled
every seat and they greeted MIR. Sh,a with
great burst of applause when, as Capt.
Jack Conway. of the U. S. S. New Or
leans, he made bis appearance.
The "Man-O'-War's Man" is brinfull
of jingoism. Its officers uphold tho
American flag on every occasion, in
every place, whether in ball room or in
encounter with foreign nations. Its
sentiments TEEN with illusions to our
ancient enemy, England, and declare
speaking the same language must again
meet in deadly conflict. The humiliation
of the bloody Briton, Capt. Haviland of
II. B. NJ. ship scorpion on 30 many oo-
casions by Capt. Conway ana his Irish
Ensign Barry Hanley, excited the..greatest
enthusiasm, and the realistic conflict
between the New Orleans and Scorpion
at the close of the last act was most
effective. /.
As Capt. Jack Conway, Mr.. Shea
was seen to great advantage. He was a
typical Yankee sailor. full of patriotism,
brave to recklsssness, quiet and deter
mined in moments where great results
depended on his action. He was very
good in his assumption of the spy in
the firstsact. and he stirred his audience
greatly in the duel with Capt. Haviland
where he oompels the British officer to
pick up the cap with its hated rod
white, and blue stripes and return it to
it's owner. These are but few of the
strong situations with which the piece
abou nds. The curtain was called after
each act. The other characters were al
we'll taken. Mr.. Testa, looked the
character and played tho unpleasant
role of the British captain we'll. Miss
Nesmith was very good as ElinorlDen-
leigh the Russian spy, Mrs. Shea was
pretty and pleasing as Jessie. and Rose
Adeli kept the audience laughing as
Rose. The variety singing, and bust
ness, by Miss Adell and Mr.. Frank
Bowman-Who took the part of Ensign
Hanley-so carried away the audience
that encore after encore was insisted
81 Z
to distract from the action of the drama.
Tonight Mr.. Shea will appear in "Dr.
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde.
Owing to the hit which the "Man-O'-
Wars Man. made at the Portland thea
tire last night, it will be given Saturday
night and the "Red Light at the Satur-
day matinee.
Shore Acres.
Beautiful ashore Acres, play that
has won the lavish praise of Thousands
of people In all parts of the country, will
be the attraction at the Portland Thea
tire Sept. and s. "Shore Acres" is a
dramatized poem, a pretty, simple, puie
truthful story of human life. in which
there appears at no time any evidence of
stage device or clap trap to offend the
artistic senses of the audience. The play
has some exquisite touches of human
nature and contains much that is pa
thetic, sentimental and tender. Readers
who have been charmed by recital in
poetry or prose of beautifully wrought
idea will find in ashore Aores'' play
that will send them to the theatre time
and again, and CAUSE them to send their
friends. The story of love, hope, faith,
patience, ambition, and greed that
make up the circumstances of aim ost
sveryone's life is told In mastery man.
ner by the simple folk Mr.. Herne intro
duces in ''Shore Acres" and no one can
help but ad mire this great play, which
many able critics claim is the best native
work yet produced.
Last Stroke.
"The Inst Stroke" which comes to
the City Hall next week scored ire
mendous hit recently at the Boston
Thentre. Every paper Inc Boston oom-
mends ii as powerful melodrama. su-
perbly staged and splendidly acted. II
created great enthusiasm among Boston
Theatre audiences. The Globe said of
tho opening performance: "The big
theatre held big audience and the i'm