The Portland daily press., 1897-12-29
RAPTURousLY RECEIVED.
"The House Party" at Kotzschmar Hall
Makes Decided Hit.

1
whose coming many had been looking
with delightful anticipation, was given
a charming production in Kotzsohmar
hall, last evening, before q large and en-
| thusiastic audience.
| AS the PRESS has before announced
"The House Party" is an original melo-
drama, written by Mr.. and Mrs. Robert
T. Whitehouse of this city. Summer
sojourners ut Squirrel Island, where it
was first played, last vacation time, went
into ecstacies over it, It was recently
given in Bath and Augusta. and the
elite of those two Maine cities applauded
it and lavished encomiums upon it's fair
performers.
Portland takes delight not only in
echoing the sentiment of Squirrel Island,
Bath and Augusta, but in according to
"The House Party the distinction Of a
place at the head of the long list of
clever amateur productions that have
been seen here in recent years.
The piece itself is gem. 1t abounds in
catchy song, sparkling dialogue, depth
OF pathos and wealth of humor, and
furnishes excellent opportunities for the
bringing out of individual talents of its
performers. 1t is play admirably
adapted to the present period. There is
just plot enough to carry 1t well, and the
| specialties introduced are of class
worthy the title professional.
The Introductory scene is in the living
room of wealthy New Workers. summer
mansion at Rangeley lake. Its. owner,
John Raymond. is an indulgent father,
whose life is wrapped up in that of his
son, Jack, and daughter, Dorothy. Jack
comes fresh from college. bringing with
him chum, Dick Armour, and pro-
fessor. At the house, as guests of Miss
Dorothy, are two young friends Miss
| Winthrop of Boston and Miss McAllister
of New York. An oId-fashioned, big
hearted aunt of the Raymonds completes
the personnel, with the exception of
Philip Raymond, prodigal son, who
comes into the play later and supplies the
bit of tragedy that helps to emphasize the
brighter side of the story. y
Jack Raynond's only fault lies in his
Observation-Disclosures which sometimes
gets him into EN- barrassing situations.
Numerous little matchmaking episodes
are introduced throughout the play, some
of them rudely interrupted by the acct
dental appearance of third parties when
| the all-important question is about to
| be popped. The matches come out all
right at the end, however.
| The introduction of Philip Raymond,
whose bright career was blighted by
| crime that grew out OF extravaganza Hv-
ing, brings temporary shadow over the
place. He comes as house breaker, is
grappled with and recognized by his for
mer college professor. Then follows a
pathetic dialogue, in which Philip re-
solves to begin life anew. He is received
| intos tho family, falls In love with the
guest from Boston, but when about to
propose to her is confronted with the
| information that his own brother, Jack,
is rival sutton. Realizing his own un-
worthiness, Philip bidssthe party hasty
adieu and starts for England, sending
from there manly message to the pro-
fessor, in which is pledged anew deter
mination to lead life of honor.
The pairing off of the young people
! who compose the interesting group of
sojourners at the Raymond mansion
makes a fitting conclusion to the play.
| So much for the play itself. What shall
be said of the players? The enthusiastic
reception they met with at the hands of
Portland's best judges of theatrical ex-
cellence is sufficient evidence that "The
House Party" was we'll cast and fault
lessly played. None of the adverse criti-
cjsms that are apt to greet the first home
production of an amateur performance
was heard at Kotzschmar hall last even
| ing. Everybody was delighted, and no
one hesitated to give vent to his enjoy
ment of the play. The performers were
repeatedly recalled, and profuse were the
floral tributes of praise sent up from the
audience.
First of all, most interest naturally
conferred In the authors of the piece, Mr..
and Mrs. Whitehouse. They took what
might be termed the leading parts,
| though there were no strictly "minor''
characters in the whole cast. Mrs. White
stage. There was no lack of life or Jingle
| in her personation of the warm hearted,
sunny -natured Dorothy Raymond. Es-
pecially pleasing was her participation
in the Iaughable scene wherein she was
confronted by the simultaneous arrival
of her two suitors, whose coming was
brought about by the curious mixing
up of letters entrusted to her brothers.
care.
| Mr.. Whitehouse was all that could be
desired in the portrayal of the character
of Jack Raymond, the thoughtless, ex-
travagant, impetuous, sympathetic col
lege youth. The dialogue between him
and his father, in.which was told the story
Of the wasted life of the older brother
coupled with an impressive lesson in self
dependence, was strikingly pathetic and
well.aeted. Both Mr.. Whitehouse and his
talented wife have had musical training