The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-10-08
JEFFERSON AT THE JEFFERSON.
Great Actor Appears in Theatre Named
After Him.

after Him.
Rip Van Wrinkle Played to an Audience o f
Over 2,0Oo-Makes Bright Little
Speech to the Audience.
The Rip Van Wrinkle of Joseph Jeffer-
son IS at this time undoubtedly more
familiar figure to the American people
than the Rip Van Wrinkle of Washington
Irving. The former is of course destined
to more enduring fame, as it Is en-
ballne in one of the best productions OF
American literature. But Mr.. Jeffer
sons Rip, the living, moving, loaflng
and laughable Rip of the stage reigns to-
day superior to his double in the pages
of Irving. With all of Mr.. Jefferson adj
mirers we believe that his Rip Van
Wrinkle is not immortal since no other
artist can ever reproduce the rollicking
meier do well of Mr.. Jefferson's delightful
and Incompatible genius. The realiza-
ton of this in Portland as well as else
where throws great and tender interest
around these last productions of this
famous play. Last evenings audience
was of the largest and most select ever
seen in Portland, and its greeting to Mr..
jefferson was such as he might have
expected in a town where he has had
none but friends for 40 years.
Mr.. Jefferson was supported by the fol-
lowing cast of characters:
Rip Van Wrinkle. Mr.. Joseph jefferson
Derrick Won Beekman,
MIR. Theo. Hamilton
Cockels, his nephew, MIR. VIM. Winter
Nick Vedder, Mr.. Harry Meredith
Stein, MIR. Walter Howard
Clausen, Mr.. Joseph Logan
Gretchen, Rips wife,
Miss Annie Sutherland
Little Meenie. Virgie Glyndon
Little Hendrich, Master Tyler
Marguerite, Miss Julia Dean
Kathleen, Miss Alberto Galatin
Hendrich Hudson, Mr.. Walter Howard
Dwarf, Mr. Dudley McCann
Hendrich Vedder, Mr.. Joseph Warren
Seth. Mr.. Walter Howard
Meenie, Miss Blanche Bender
Katcfhen, Miss Julia Dean
The appearance of the familiar figure
of Rip with the children clinging to him
in the first act was the signal for burst
of applause which continued until the
veteran actor had repeatedly bowed his
acknowledgements Throughout this act
the great audience hung upon every word
and gesture-more than that, upon every
iaDge of expression-and responded with.
quick appreciation of the constant flashes
of humor or pathos. AS the curtain fell
at the close of the act, the audience would
not be content until Mr. jefferson should
himself step out of the character of Rip
Van Wrinkle. This he did after the ap-
plause had been long continued, and
spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen-It is scarcely
proper to make a speech in the midst of
a performance. 1t is supposed that going
from the subject and scene of the story
to the scene and facts of today breaks
the thread of the performance. But this
is a very special occasion, my reappear-
ance here after an absence of SO many
years, and after having been honored by
having this theatre called by my name.
And can say that l am only too proud
to be the recipient Of such an honor. 1t
is not only theatre to be proud of; but
it is one upon which it shall be my aim
at this late day not to bring discredlt. 1t
shal, be my aim to please the public and
TO be worthy of the honor which you have
bestowed upon me.
When I was here at the opening of this
house and spoke of coming again, said
that | could wish for no better welcome
than to see the same smiling faces that
greeted me then. That seems to be youch-
safed to me; and it is only left to me to
proceed with the play, and trust that my
Efforts may be worthy of your expecta-
tions. prolonged applause.)
Of the play itself little need be said.
The plot, every scene, is perhaps known
letter than any other play before the
American people. But a Portland audi
ence saw it for the first time staged ss it
was last evening. The ample stage of
The jefferson gave full play to the art of
the scene maker, and few who saw it
will forget the wierd scene when Rip fell
asleep on the mountain. The end of act
two, when Rip is driven from home by
the impetuous-but as some at least will
feel, partially justifed-temper of the
long haired Gretchen, is the most emo
tional and the strongest portion of the
piece, unless the later recognition scene
be excepted. Miss Sutherland's acting
at this point admirably seconded the |
pathetic play of the great actor. The lit |
tie ones who personated the children of
the unhappy family should not be forgot
ten in the praise of their elders Mr.. |
Hamilton, also, in the later stages of the
play, develops artistictly, but not de-
lightfully.
When the curtain fell on the reunited
family of Rip the enthusiasm of the au-
dience would be satisfied with nothing
but another speech, and Rip, in his tat
tered raiment, said: "sWhen drank
your good health and your family's, L
really felt it and meant it. And now 1t |
only remains for me to bid you farewell |
Matinee Prices at Jefferson. |
T he unanaoerS of the IetfarSo,, hax