The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-11-25
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
THE JEFFERSON.

.SThe larry town Widow" was given
at The Jefferson last night for the first
time in Portland. 1t is not a problem
plav. but was constructed as an antidote
for mental dependency ana should serve
as a good digester for Thanksgiving
dinner.
The story deals with Benjamin Bascom,
who prevails upon his ''better half to
take months vacation at Loon Lake.
A handsome and bewitching widow,
Mrs. Raymond, happens to be in the sta
ton just after the departure of Mrs.
Bascom. Baseom flirts with the widow
and gives her the name of harry
Sinclair. He promises the charming
widow that he will visit her at larry
town. Meanwhile the real Harry SIN
clair has made love to a rosebud named
Annie Morris living in TarlytoWn, and
promises to go there in two weeks. Harry
turns up to meet his rosebud, but is
greeted by her maiden aunt famlllarly
called 'the ogre" who has been receiv-
ing his letters and sending gushing ones
in return.
Meanwhile Bascom arrives, to whom
the proposition is made that his wife
will know of his Irritation unless he an
nounces himself as the real Harry Sim
clair to the maiden aunt. Bascom has to
accept and the real Harry is restored to
his rosebud. Mrs. Bascom then appears
on the seenes only to ind her husband in
an odd situation.
The attenant complications constitute
the fun of the play Three Opponents
are planned. Bascom gets the maiden
aunt to elope with the French Count,
while the widow runs away with his
son Augustus and Harry with the rose
bud.
The play ends with q funny scene in
which Rascom swings clear of his dlfh-
culties.
The part Of Benjamin Bascom falls to
Mr.. Hart. His voice and mannerisms are
adapted to the jolly good fellow, bent on
lark, and he sang several OF his topical
songs to the great delight of the audi
ence Miss Eva Babeock made fasolnat-
ing widow. She is handsome and of the
size of the usual wicked widow, and used
her eyes to good effect. She wears stun
ming costumes.
Carrie DeMar as Annie Morris, was
taking. Her pretty rosebud face and
charming little voice made her great
fayorite, while Posepha Crowell as the
''ogre, was excellent in the makeup
and did the old maid act well.
Charles Lothian assumed the character
of the erudite student, and again that
o: the worldly man in satisfying man
her, and Mr.. Gibbs in action, accept and
tragic air, was a meritorious Count. Ida
Vernon is the jealous wife, with good
deal of vraisemblance and Mr.. Howard
was an elegant fiirt.
Ben Dillon introduces speciality acts
which were very catchy.
The Widow will ''tarry'' in town for
special matinee and will also be seen at
The jefferson at tonights performance.
BANDA ROSA CONCERT.
Unusual interest has been manifested
in the announcement of the only concerts
of the Banda Rosa which will be given
at The jefferson, Saturday, matinee and
oNou1uS. All UHGdbf0 SOGES kuOW budb d
great treat is in store for them as the
New York triumph Of the Banda Rosa
has fully endorsed its European reputa-
tion of being the best band on earth.
When they arrived early in October they
were, as far as the United States were
concerned, an unknown body of must
clans conducted by leader whose fame
had not spread beyond Italy, Germany
and few other continental countries.
The Banda Rosa came, played and con-
quered. One concert at the Metropolitan
Opera House in New York was sufficient
for the band to become the talk of the
town. 1t were simply a revelation. The
Banda Rosa played with such beauty of
tone, such fiLe phrasing and such delicacy
of utterance as was never before heard by
any military band or any orchestra.
Press and public were unanimous in their
verdict that this band is without parallel
and its rendition of music above criti-
cism. The Banda Rosa is an organiza-
tion of 60 soloists among them several
virtuosi of highest ability. The soIoists
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