The Portland daily press., 1897-03-06
MUSIC AND DRAMA,
The Man In the Iron Mask.

The Man In the Iron Mask.
1t is long time since "The Man In
the Iron Mask has been presented in
this city, and it remained for MT. Donald
Robertson and Miss Brandon Douglass
to reintroduce it at Portland theatre
last night. The version of Dumas story
was one adapted by Mr.. Robertson and
1t possesses much merit. Most all OF US
remember the story of the twin sons OF
Louis XIII by Anne of Austria, the
younger of whom was brought up in
ignorance of his birth, in the country.
and who was made the chief figure in
a conspiracy to force Louis XIV. from
the throne and place the brother in his
place. The scheme fell through and the
twin brother was consigned to Bastile
and forced to wear an iron mask the rest
Of his life. Such was the story which
historical research proves fiction. The
story, however, forms an.admirabl BILE basis
for the dramatic writer. M. j. W.
Wailack was one of the strongest delinea-
tors of the character of Geston known
to the stage.
Mr.. Donald Robertson Is very good
actor. His conception of CASTOR Ia of
the romantic type. 1t is lofty and king
ly at the same time that he never loses
sight Of its pathetic side. In the scene
in the second act with the Marquis de
st. Nor. where he, as CASTOR, the king,
demands the removal OF the Marquis S
hat, he vas noble and kingly. and at
the close of the act, when his supposed
identity is discovered by the maid,
Audry, he leaves the stage in most i'm
pressive and effective manner. Thence
on through the scene in the palace as
King Louis with the Htterance of the
historic words "l'etat c'est moi'' to the
sad scene in the castle keep on the Isle
of.Et. Marguerite, where the man in the
Mr.. Robertson's acting was most finished
and powerful.
Miss Brandon Douglass was very good
as Marie D'Ostanges, tine sweetheart of
CASTOR. The other characters call for
but little comment. Some of the music
of the piece was well given, notably the
minuet Miss Douglass wore in one scene
costume once the property of the great
actress, Mrs. Farren, that was found by
her IN a store on thesBowery, and was
restored by the skill of the costumer.
"The Man in the Iron Mask" will be
repeated tonight.
Wilbur Opera Company.
This favorite operate organization
comes to us this season stronger and bet
ter than ever. All of the old favorites
areiretained, the chorus has been en-
larged and the beautiful and intricate
marches which were so long feature OF
the productions of this company, have
been revived with telling effect. In ad-
dition to the excellent repertoire of comic
operas (which the company has been
presenting in the past, Manager Wilbur
has madefthis season notable by the
elaborate revival of the old favorite- stan
dard operas, such as Faust 'fMari-
tapa. - martha, /" Fra Diavolo," etc.,
some of which will be kpresented during
the coming engagement. Mr.. Wilbur
does BOT ghowever, believe in shelving
the comicsoperas, hence he ghss kept a
number of them in his repertoire and
will produce the bestsof them sduring the
week. In addition.to the operas. Mr..
Wilbur will give MS concluding feature
eachEperformance, his celebrated high art
living pictures, which have created such
a Juror throughout the Lcountry during
the past season.. These pictures are &C.
knowlehged the best in existence today
and will be given here on an elaborate
scale, with beautiful light effeors and a
corpse posers picked by Herr Kilyani,
the inventor Of living pictures, himself.
These models are the prettiest and best
formsdsgirlsst be secured in
New York City and are past mistrosses
of their art. The company will play all
next week at Portland theatre.
Creation.
Readers should bear in mind that the
subscription sale of seats to the produc-
ton of the" Creation will begin at 10
o. clock next Monday morning at Stock
bridge's. The public sale will begin
Wednesday at 10 O'Clock. This produc-
ton of "The Creation" will be the finest
production Of oratorio Portland has seen
for years. The chorus of the Haydns
will be very large and well drilled,
tbevGermania Festival Orchestra of Bos-
tonsswill assist, andsthe : principals have
been carefully selected.
Notes.
I. P. Brooks and his famous Chicago