The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-18
MUSIC AND DRAMRs
GREAT DIAMOND ROBBERY.


melodrama should so to The jefferson
tonight and see A. C. Wheeler's and AL
fred NJ. AlfIlend s 'Great Diamond Rob
berry," that had It's first presentation il
this city last evening. While there are
of course, any amount of aisurdities an6
improbabilities, such as arc now permits
sable to, and always found in meIo
drama, there is, still. such foundation
OF probability that even an old theatre
goer finds himself interested Tor the play
introduces, under the name OF Frau
Rossnbaum, a real Character that existed
IN New York under this Tweed regime
old Mother Mandeibaum-on Of the most
skllful and notorious "fenc-s" in the
world, and also shows what the power
Or New York policeman was al a time
before DR.. Perkhurst had started a
spasm Of virtue.
In brief the story is that of Il woman
who has stolen abroad the magnificent
diamonds of the Count t4arbiardotf,
married New York bank president,
Clinton Bulford and when her husband
@1nfronts her with q letter that exposes
her viIlainy, p0isons him and has the
suspicion thrown upon q young clerk
of his, Frank Kenneth. But Frank has
q 4IlSisQ IiG 6tc llESl AHOhh 44OO VI II JIG
person of Dick Brummage, detective,
and d girl he loves, Mary Layelot. They
and the physician, DR.. Livingston, els
cover that Mrs. BulloTd poisoned her
husband, administered in a glass OF sher-
~, recover tho cut wineglass with the
monogram, and unrayel the skein that
finally l ands Mrs. Bulford in the hands
of justice and acquits Frank of all TN
just suspicion. There are many minor
characters all incidental TO the play.
As q whole the pieca is we'll acted. 1t
Is certain that it aroused the enthusiasm
of the audience to the highest pitch.
The curtain was called after almost every
act Mr.. Myron Calico was q most efTec-
tive Dick Brummage, and was especially
good when he dares Senator McSorker,
IN the Hoffman house cafe. MI. j. ".
Benson was a very natural, breezy Sena-
tor; Horny Meyer was good as Frank;
Clement St. Martin wins an effective
Clinton Bulford; Frank kemble, Il strong
DR.. Livingstone; Harriet Sterling, q
very good adventures, although a little
too conscious; Neya Harrison, q coed
Mary; Lizzie May Ulmer, the old Port
land favorite, q pleasing Mrs. O. Geoghan;
few would have recognized III her mature
figure the girlieh soubretto OF the old
Portland Museum; Jennie Ratfiths was
an excellent Frau Roscn baum, and the
other characters were acceptable.
The scenes were very attractive,
especially Mrs. Bulfords fiat, the Hoff-
celebrated resort-the underground aen;
and IL O'Clock midnight i'll Fifth avenue
The music by Callahan S orchestra was
very appropriate.
PORTLAND THEATRE.
Last night proved to DO regular gala
night at the Portland theatre as the play
that was presented is invested with re-
culiar interest to a goolly section of our
community, and it WIS magnet in
drawing out q large audience. including
many Knights. 1t was damon and
Pythias. - The story OF the play needs
not 10 be 'dilated upon for it is well and
lagorablY known.
Mr.. Butler as Damon. John E. Miles
as Pythias and June Swift as Calanthe
carried off the honors of the evening
while the action Of the supporting cast
was acceptably received.
1he Miles comedy company closes its
present engagement with two perform
ances today. Unknown" at the matt
nee, to be followed tonight by that charm
ing nautical drama entitled Life
Guard
FANNY DAVENPORT.
Fanny Davenpor5 will certainly he
warmly welcomed at the Jefferson Thea
tire when she appears in Sardou's great
est efforts. "La Iosca" will be given
Christmas matinee and night, and "Fe-
dora' as the opening bill ON Friday. Her
ambition has always been lofty, her zeal
is untiring. her energy amazing and her
audacity and her generosity in the matter
of making productions commend her to
all who have the best interests Of the
stage at heart. She spends money lavish.
", first in securing plays from the very
best sources, and second in presenting
them properly. Miss Davenport's pro.
ductions stand comparison with those
made by Sir Henry Irving, and she has
clearly demonstrated in more than one
instance that she has the taste, the capac-
ity, the ability and the wealth to out-do
Paris. She took the sketches, the scenic
plots and the property plots OF the vari-
Gus Sardou plays she has produced as
they came from Paris. Miss Davenport
will he supported by Melbourne Macnow
ell and company OF great merit.
The sale which promises to be very
brisk and large will open on Monday.
December 20 at o'clock.
THE HOUSE PARTY.
A really thrilling, woozy burglar scene
is extremely effective when we'll done.
and not over done, and there is one in
1.-THE House Party which makes ths
hair rise on end "like the quill Of the
fretful porcupino. This scene is played
by Mr. Charles D. Barrows ana Mr..
Louis Dutton Of this city. On Mr.. Dut-
ton rests the most serious work Of the
r lay, and be certainly handles it in
very finished manner, absorbing the at
tention of the audience and earning a
very prolonged and well deserved hand
at the end Of his final soliloquy in the
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