The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-28

tne SITUATIONS resulting are extremely
funny leading up to the final triumph of
the women of the house, even though
Obediah attempts to rule his wife by the
aid of whiskey as manufacturer of
courage. The farce will interest and
amuse while it is not deep in it's plot
Just the kind of thing for a summer
evening amusement.
Nothing takes the place of the Fadettes
in their admirable concerts which are
given three times daily. Yesterday the
audiences gave them royal reception
and were heartily pleased with their work.
SUNLESS SINNER.
Mr.. Howard P. Taylor's new comedy
"Sinless Sinners was introduced to the
dramatic world at the Gem theatre last
evening with the following cast of charac-
tiers:
Josephus JOY, Mr.. Byron Douglas
Barnaby Bliss, Mr.. Francis Byrne'
Jenny JOY, Mr.. Walter Thomas
Gregory Guzzle, Mr.. Scott Cooper
Brigham Brief, Mr.. Robert Low
Peter Paragraph, Mr.. John Lester Wallack
Bell Joy, Miss Agnes Proctor
Josie Bliss, Miss Lansing Rowan
Winnie Whim, Miss Myrtle May
Susan Smart, Miss Virginia johnson
Fairy Queen, Mr.. Charles Gilbyn
Indian Princess, Miss johnson
The Skirt Dancer, Miss Blanche Hall
Guests, masqueraders, walters.
The play is constructed on pure comedy
lines and is in no way marred with a
trace of the farcical or burIesque. It
is clean cut throughout with bright dia-
Iogue and amusing situations. The story
deals with the infelioities of two mar
ried couples and .he curtain rises upon
an apartment house in New York, the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. JOY and Mr.. and
Mrs. Bliss. The wild and reckless habits
of husband and the extravaganza of
wife and other incongruous circumstan-
ces dispose the parties to agree to sepa.
ration without the formality of divorce
They are somewhat assisted to this con-
clusion by the not disinterested advice of
the lawyer in the cast, Brigham Brief.
The second act witnesses ball room
Sherry's, New York, where masquerade
bring the quartette together, and each
having been advised that his or her form
er partners for life had passed away, feels
at liberty to marry again and impelled
by this inclination, Josephus wsds Mrs.
Bliss ands Barnaby. Mrs. Joy.
The third act is laid at Long Branch
and here it is that confusion arises when
it is discovered by meeting of all the
parties, that the bonds Of the first matri-
monial alliance have never been legally
in, faa %hoxv hoJo ~
some one else and are guilty Of bigamy.
The kindly disposed lawyer, ever anxious
for fee, again lends his advice and final
ly sets things right by his elastic inter
probation of divorce laws.
A very amusings underplot of this
play introduces a rich orphan with an
unconquerable desire to make an alliance
with a man with both feet ON the
ground, and fit subject is found in tie
person of Peter Paragraph, who has pneu-
monia in one lung. while the other is
completely gone. Through the interpre-
tation of the ubiquitous lawyer it is
stipulated that the groom should die
Immediately after the marriage leaving a
dashing widow, but instead Of this he
goes to German watering place, RECEIVERS
his health and returns to America. He
crosses the path of the lively widow who
falls in love with him and at the end
nearly collapses when his identity be-
comes known to her.
The play is most appropriately and
handsomely staged, the scenic effects be-
ing strikingly fine and in the ball room
scene Miss Blanche Hall introduces
skirt dance and song which delighted
| the audience and won an encore. In this
act Mr.. Giblyn received rounds of ap.
plause by his contribution to the gayety
of the masquerade by his grotesque make
up and dancing. The costumes of the
ladies were beautiful and those worn by
| many of the masqueraders were comical
indeed.
The action at times little too rapid
for the proper appreciation of the lines
but the play, was as whole satisfactory.
Mr.. Douglas and Mr.. Bryne were effec-
tive, notably in the third act, while
Miss Rowan and Miss Proctor were pleas
ing as ever. Mr.. Scott Cooper is always
good in his character sketches, and Mr..
Low was a satisfactory Brigham Brief.
Miss May was sprightly and Mr.. Wal
lack as the octoge marian and afterwards
as the rejuvenated man of the world, did
good work. Miss johnson was cast for
a very insubordinate part, but made the
most of it.
1t is not expected, of course, that at a
first presentation allE the hidden beau
ties Of play will be brought to the sur.
face and all things considered the cast
did we'll, and that the playwright has
achieved success in this his latest play
admits of no doubt.
VALUABLE REAL ESTATE.