The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-01-12
MUSIC AND DRAMA.
The Priso nsr of Zenda.

The Prise ner of Zenda.
When Anthony Hope wrote the "Pris-
oner of Zenda, he told good story,
and when Edward Rose dramatlzed IT,
he made a good play. The dramatized
version of the story includes prologue
which serves to explain the striking
resem blance between Rudolf, tne flltn
Of Ruritapia and the young Englishman,
Rudolf Rassendyll, Who lived century
and n half after the time depicted in
the prologue. This introduction to the
nlay. is in itself strong scene, and In
it last night several Of the members of
the company gave promise Of the excel
lent acting to follow Mir. Edward r.
Mavson, az Prince Rudolf. the red Elph-
berry. and Mr.. Benjamin horning. as the
Earl of Rassen dyIl, were particularly
effective in the due l scene.
Having by the Eaeans of the prologue
explained many things which in the
book are narrated by the characters,
the play follows as closely as is possible
Mr.. Hopes story. The first act, in the
forest near Zenda, introduces the king,
Rudolph the Fifth. and the young Eng
lishman, who looks SO like him that they
cannot be told one from another. The
second act shows the scene at the coro-
nation of Kassendyll as ruse to save the
crown to the drunken king. In the
third act, Rassendyll makes known his
identity to Flavia, the princess ana IN
the fourth, he leads In the rescue OF the
~ l. H.
real king from the castle OF Zenda. Ihe
nlay Is deliberately mounted and the COS
tuning is rich and appropriate is
a niece full of stirring Incident and
romanttp interest which gave the story
its fame, and it is in capable hands
Mr.. Mawson is no stranger to Portland
audiences. Last evening in the dual role
of the king and his double, the young
Enplishman, he appeared to marked adj
vantage, depicting to the life the indo-
lent man OF leisure In the first act, and
portray ing the stronger emotions of the
following scenes with dignity and effec-
tiyeness The love passages between
Rudolf and the Princess Flavia, perhaps,
showed Mr.. Mawson at his best. Miss
Una Abdell, as the Princess, is entitled
TO no small share OF the credit for the
success of the piece. The part of Michael
the traitor was well taken by Mr.. EN-
NETT Corrigan, who makes polished vii
lain. Irene Everett, as Antoinette de
Maubau, was acceptable, as was Miss
Payson Graham, who appeared as Coun-
tess Rassendyll in the prologue. The
other parts were well taken. The piece
will be repeated this evening and Ia de-
serving of crowded house. The curtain
was called several times during last eve
ning's performance.
Black Crook.
Jergons' Black Crook Burlesqus-Ex-
travaganzn Company, direct from the
Lyoeum theatre, Philadelphia, PenI.,
will be seen at Portland theatre tomor-
row evening and when the fact is gener-
ally known that the show is one which
ladies car attend, there can be no cues
ton but what the theatre will be packed
to rhe very doors. Among the perform
ers may be mentioned, Kitty Gilmore,
Emerson and omeaga. Eulalie, Aens A..
Miles, Lillian Stewart, Alice Leslie,
Emma Lippman, Aollie Phelps, Ray
Black, Skaters Ward, Fanny Sheldon,
Ruth Everett. Ella Kirwin, Jennie Har-
ris, Daisy Howard, Gibain and Donnelly,
@. NJ. Harris, ]. E. Gardner and others.
4 he Palace in the Moon is the opening
skit, written especially for this company
by Frank Dumont. Then follows streng
md clever olio of specinlties and the
plosing..piecs sis The Yellow Kid Of
Hogan IS Allsy at yassar College. The
show is all right from start to finish aud
gives performance that will be exoelied
by none and particularly by any other
company in it's lins-burlesque-ex trava-
ganza.
The Gilhoolys Abroad.
The amusing musical farce comedy
F" The Gilhoolys Abroad" Is Of nature
calculated to bring out to perfection the
oomical abilities of the Brothers German,
who in every act introduce new special
ties.and songs which keep an audience. in
a roar of applause and laughter. from
the rise of the curtain to its fall. The
singing of the company isiespecially fine
as also is the dancing; in the latter line,
John and George German INTRODUCES
novelty in their dance of the Broadway
0wells, which is executed to tunsf III
medley arrangement of popular songs.
It is one of the prettiest things in the
amusement line produced this season.
A IL the members of the company are
good performers and every part OF the
play is in proper hands, there not being
8 weak place from start to finish. The
play will be seen at Portland theatre
Saturday.
st. Lawrence st. Course.
The last two entertainments In the
Ladies' Aid Course of the st. Lawrence
st. church will be given, the one BY
the great humOrist Leland T. Powers in
"Lord CHUNKY" and the other by ethe
Jubilee Singers. Tickets are on sale at
Stockbridge's. sa Aa6
Concert at Woodfords.
Don't forget the concert to be given ~