The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-21
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
Courted into Court.


applauded every point in dialogue, and
every taking song and dance.
Everybody knows what McNally's forces
| are, a slender plot as a medium for spec
ialties of song and dance. But "Courted
Into Court has rather more plot than
usual. The cast is composed of some of
the cleverest farceurs and, as a result,
performance is given that is work of
art. This is the cast:
Dottie Dimple, Marie Dressler
| Worthington Wirth ST., John c. Rice
Worthington Wirth. ST. Oscar Figman
Mrs. Worthington Wirth, ST.,
Clara Palma
Helen Wirth, Agnes Milton
| Milly Multum, Maude Huth
Dickey Daggett, Billy Clifford
Judge jeremiah Geoghan,
James F. Callahan
Pop Dooley, Jacques Kruger
Sylvia Rosebud, Sally Cohen
Mortimer Morton, Damon Lyon
Sharp, Damon Lyon
Gertie, Blanche R. Verona
Hal Ford, John Frees
Court Officer, John Frees
Clerk of Court, Harry Ertheiler
Mollie Mavourn, Fanny Driscoe
Della Cart, Blanche Ward
The story of the absurdity recites the
experiences of Dottie Dimple, popular
actress, who won the affections of a gild-
ed youth and married him in spite of the
opposition of his mother. The first act
is in the actress home, where the love
making progresses in novel and strik-
ing manner. The dialogue is exceeding
ly witty and in some respects this act is
the best in the play. The second act
shows the couple married They have
taken apartments adjoining those of
est. The father of the young man has
fallen a ready victim to Dottie's charms
and cordially approves of his sons choice,
but this is case where the mother-in-
law rules, and she forbids all intercourses
between the two families The old man
succeeds in outwitting her, however,
and attends a Bohemian carousal presid-
ed over by the fair actress. 1t is hilari-
GUS occasion and SO forcibly does the
mother-in-law express her disapproval
that Dottie becomes angered and insti-
tutes suit for divorce.
The third act represents the scene in
the court room during the divorce trial.
This is broad burlesque, but it is very
funny, and last nights audience az
plauded the ridiculous situations vigor-
ously. Dottie captivates the judge and
jury and her victory is assured, but at
the last moment she discovers that she
does not want divorce, that she loves
L
er-in-law expresses regret for her malic-
ious tactics, the obliging judge nuli1es
the divorce decision, and all ends happily
Miss Marie Dressler was a study
throughout the play, from head to foot.
She was never quiet. When she was not
singing-and she sings delightfully."-, as
is to be expected from one who adorned
the operatic stage-she was dancing with
all the abandon of the skill of the French
school, while all through the perform
ance her face expressed every shade of
emotion. She was viyacious. natural and
piquant, and she costumed the charac-
ter of Dottie Dimple magnificently.
Miss Maude Huth as Milly, was not
only full of life and French chic, but
she sang her ''coon'' songs with great
finish and expression. Sally Cohen was
d capital Sylvia, Dottie's maid, who new
er forgot to remind her mistress of their
near relationship. John G. Rice, who
is one of the best of comedians, was easy
and graceful, and his scenes with Miss
Dressler were provocative of rounds of
applause. Their dance in the third act,
Taking Chance was one of the fun
NEST things of its kind ever seen. Mr..
Callahan was capital Irishman in the
part of the judge, Jacques Kruger por-
trayed the drunken uncle in finished
manner Mr.. Clifford was a wonderful
"chappie' in his peacock blue suit and
hat, and the other characters were excel
lent.
1t would be impossible here to refer to
all the specialties that gave SO much de-
light Mr.. Rice's sailor dance received
a hearty encore. Miss Dressler had to
repeat "Miss Modesty," and several other
songs, particularly ga Hot Time in the
Old Town. Miss Huth's songs were
encored. The grand cake walk at the end
of the second act called first for the cur
tain and then Miss Dressler and Mr.. Rice
had to especially respond to the call.
The curtain was also called at the close of
the second act.
Eel Captain.
De Wolf Hopper is one of the most
amusing comedians known to the Ameri-
can stage. There are few Portland thea
tire goers that are not familiar with this
admirable actor. 1t is true Mr.. Hopper
has never appeared in Portland but our
theatre going people who have seen him in
Boston and New York have been delight
ed with him and his productions that are
always so beautifully presented. The
Hopper organization this season is the
largest, best and most complete the come.
dian has yet had, and also it is one of the
most expensive on the road The COM
pany, which includes goodly number of
funny comedians, sweet singers and
pretty girls, travel almost exclusively in