The Portland daily press., 1897-09-29

Shore Acres which is recognized by
many able dramatists and dramatic
critics as the best American play yet pro-
duced, will be given fine production at
The Jefferson tomorrow evening. This
unconventional comedy drama of New
England life does not rely upon any old
fashioned theatrio devices for approval or
applause, the great strength of Mr..
Herne's work lying in it's remarkable
character creations. There is absolute
truth to nature. Its personages
come and go as people do in real life, and
their speech and action are appropriate to
the scene. Humor and pathos. arc nicely
blended, and the story told in Shore
Acres is deeply interesting. Mr.. Herne's
hero does not 60 about speaking didactic
prose, neither does he pose in the center
of the stage. Uncle Nat is quite differ
ent..kind of man, and his heroism is of
the unconscious quality. There are nearly
thirty characters introduced in ashore
Acres" and with few exceptions they
are all interesting. The company carries
all it's own scenery and properties and
they endeavor to present the play in such
a manner as to leave little room for fault
finding.
Way Down East.
Way down East q story about plain
people, is said to be a wonderfully inter-
esting and amusing play Of the natural
and realistic school. 1t is play that the
most blase theatre goer can enjoy, or the
most simple and unlettered person under
stand and appreciate. 1t is so with all
plays that deal in truthful, straightfor-
ward fashion with the joys and trials,
hopes, fears, faults and frailties of simple,
everyday people. The motive that fur
nishes the basis of the story of Way down
East, is elemental. It springs forth in
every heart and it's complications fire.
quently arise in our own households The
cast engaged by Manager Vim. A. Brady
is very strong one, being made up of
such well known people as Phoebe Davies
Forrest Robinson, Jos. r. Grislner, Sadie
Stringham, Jos. A. Wilkes, Felix Haney,
J. Alden Bass, Mrs. Stevens, and John
F. Deljez. The production is under the
personal supervision Of Jos. r. Grismer.
Way down East will be the attraction at
The Jefferson for three performances com
mencing Friday Oct. 1st.
Maine Musical Festival.
We wish to impress upon Portland
people the fact that they should secure
y Iofr rs f<u
Festival. The demands are coming in
rapidly at Cressey, Jones & Allen's for
tickets for the musical people of our sister
cities and towns all over the state, and
music lovers must remember that every
mail order is filed at once. Therefore it
behooves them to call for tickets without
delay. Remember that only about three
weeks remain to the time when the festi-
val will be given. The Boston Sunday
Herald said:
"The great musical festival promises to
reach the lofty standard of Importance
and artistic success which has been set
for it by those two enthusiastic and indie
fatigable workers. VIM. r. Chapman, it's
director, and Homer N. Chase, it's man.
ager. Messrs. Chapman and Chase make
Q musical event Of such proportions. Mr.
Chapman is a veritable steam engine
and PUSHES from place to place training
his choruses and getting all the minor de-
tails into shape as If his life depended
upon it. The business is new to Mr..
Chase, but early in the work he caught
soma of Mr.. Chapman's inspiration and
has one remarkable work. Mrs. Chap
man, who is in close touch with all the
arrangements, has executive ability of
high order and is as cool and calculating,
yet as quick to act, as business man Of
years training. Many of the most i'm
portant preliminaries have been entrusted
to her, with the best of results
Several hundred singers from all parts
of the state will be in attendance upon
the Musical Festival and many of these
will have to be entertained at the home
of our citizens. These are the finest
people in tie communities from which
they come and it is hoped our citizens
will open their homes to them while they
are here. Portland has always been
noted for its hospitality and this case
will prove no exception. All who are
willing to entertain ono or more will
please send their names to Frederick S.
v ALL, Flr6t National Bank Building.
Robert G. Ingersoll.
An engagement at The Jefferson that
is sure to create all unusual interest
among the patrons of Portland's new
amusement temple will occur next Tues
day evening, October 9th, on which coca.
sion the distinguished orator Robert G.
InperSoll will deliver his masterlv lectI1re
on Shakespeare.
Mr.. Ingersoll has long been recognized
as one of the finest orators this country
ever produced, and those who attend his
lecture will be sure of h rare intellectual
treat. Speaking of his lecture in Gin
cinnati, the Enquirer says that if the i'm
mortal bard could have listened to the
marvellous eulogium passed upon him
by the master of English at the present