The Portland daily press., 1897-12-29
MUSIC AND pEAMH.
MARGARET MATHER.


MISS Margaret Mather, who has not
oeen seen in Portland for several seasons,
appeared at The Jefferson last evening in
shaKespears's "Cymbeline, that, as
far as we know, has never before been
presented to Portland public The
version is Rolfe's, but Miss Ma her has
herself arranged the scenes in six acts and
eighteen brief, but comprehensive tab
leaux, by as judicious condensation as
was posi- bic to prevent marring the
beauty OF the text. "Cymbeline" is one
of the least frequently produced of all
the Shakesperian plays. 1t is, strictly
speaking, melo-drama with stilted
heroic speeches and poverty of plot. In
brief, Roman bets that he can win tbe
honor of another Romans British wife.
fails, and by trick, gets pos ession of
information which the husband accents
asEproof of the villains success, That ia
the story in nutshell.
There was time, years ago, when the
stage possessed actors and actresses fitted
by mind and nature for proper inter
pretation of the characters that 90 to
make Shakcsperian play a memorable
production, but there are few of themsleft
today. 1t is in the richness of stage illu-
sion and scenic settings that one expects
to take the most of their pleasure in the
presentation of a play like Cymbeline,
and it must be admitted that Miss Mather
has lavishly expended her money in order
that in such scenic display and correct
ness of costumes, music and ditard, the
theatre going public shall be thoroughly
satisfied.
Miss Mather, of course, takes the role of
Imogen, one of the most noted of Shake
speare's heroines, woman of great puri-
ty and strength OF character not mani
tested in physical sense, but by the
possession OF that nobility of mind and
gentleness of demeanor, far removed from
the timidity and essentially woInanly.
Personally Miss Mather looks the part
caarmingly, whether in the proper cos
tume of her sex or the garb of the boy.
But Miss Mather is more noticeable in
her Interpretation for her force and
vehemence rather than for the gentler
| qualities. From her standpoint her
Imogen is strong characterization, but
it does not seem to carry out the general
ly accepted understanding of the role.
For instance when the repulses Iachilno,
she does it with a blow in the face that
we should hardly expect from gentle
creature like Imogen. She also displays
faults of elocution such as have been
noted in the past in other plays. 1t is
in the lighter scenes in the play that
Miss Mather appears to best advantage.
She is very aroh and winning in the
scene before the cave. We have seen Miss
Mather in many other dramas when she
has been most satisfactory, for Miss
Mather is skilled actress who, with her
faults-and what actress or actor has
them not-is still a delight and an
adornment of the stage today. Perhaps
the play itself is as much at fault as the
actress, and certainly the fact that it has
been shelved SO long is evidence that
managers have not had muoh faith in it,
| Besides Miss Mather there were in the
support, several actors of note. Mr..
Wolfe as Posthumus, gave fine stage
presence to the character, and most ex
cellent impersonation with somewhat of
a tendency to rant. Mr.. Mark Price as
Iachimo, the villain, was fair. but he
lacked the suaveness that was a feature
of Iachimo's character Mr.. Eberle's
Belarius was quite dignified, and Mr.
Ringgold provided the comedy ole ement
as Cloten. Frederick, Hartley and Conrad
Cantzen were good as the supposed sons
of Belarius.
AS we have said, the play is sumptuous-
ly staged and costumed, and the various
views, all from brushes of the greatest
scenic artists in the country, drew loud
applause. Particularly was this the
case with the one where. Imogen is discov-
cred lying on her couch Illuminated by
the lime light. Ths audience, which
was very large one, and embraced many
Of our best known people, was very
enthusiastic and they called the curtain
at the end of each act, twice and three
times. This was the cast:
Cymbeline, Mr.. O'Kane Hills
Cloten, Mr.. B. L. Ringgold
Posthumus Leonatus,
Mr. Harrison j. Wolfe
Guiderius, Mr.. Conrad Cantzen
Arviragus, Mr.. Frederick Hartley
Philario, Mr.. c. f. Larned
Iachimo, Mr.. Mark Price
Caius Lucius, Mr.. W. V. Ranous
A Roman Captain, Mr.. Walter Monroe
Two British captains,
Mr.. George Monroe, Mr.. William L.
White.
| Pisenio, Mr.. Lynn Pratt
Cornelius, Mr.. P. 3. Murray
| Two British lords,
i Mr.. j. W. Traverse, Mr.. II. M Belknap
| Queen, Aiiss Augusta De Forres
Imogen, Margaret Mather
| Helen, Miss Elsie SturkoW
| First Page, Miss Fannie De Wolfe
| Second Page, Miss Louise York
First Waitingl Lady on Queen,
Miss Sturkow
Second Waiting Lady on Queen,
Miss Williams
PORTLAND THEATER.
| The bill at the Pc rtland theater last
night was built for fun and from start to
finish good sized audience was kept in