The Portland daily press., 1898-01-18
MUSIC AND DRAMA
MYSTERIOUS MR. BUGLE.

AZ = ~
.sTbe MYSTERIOUS Mr.. Bugle' was pro-
d,ced at the New York Lyeeum theatre
,ast wear and ran several months. 1t is
LEGITIMATE farce in construction and
+,.,atment. and resembles the best farces
of the French school, emitting all of their
unsavorv suggestions. The Mysteri-
ous Mr.. Bugle'' does not depend for its
success or its fun upon horseplay or
vulgarity 1t deals with social life in a
NATURAL; homelike way, and creates a
spasm of laughter from beginning to end.
TT is thoroughly wholesome and
that is one of the greatest charms
for man may take his wife, his sister.
or lady friend, with the confidence that
nothing will he said or done that can
offend in the slightest particular.
The author of tThe Mysterious MI
Rugle,' was one of the most charming
condolences of the comic stage le"
years ago. She forsook the footnghCs
soon after the dissolution OF the Mcoauii
opera company, of which sne was 7"
prominent member,ssto give her ehslie a'
tention to.Iiterary work. Herfhome lssehe
old town of New Rochelle on Long lslanu
Sound and there is rose empowered
cottage, within hearing of the murHiurs
of the sea the fair drsmatist nnos IN
spiration.
The farce is in three acts, and the story
concerns some fashionable guests OF
a hotel at Lakewood, N. j., Tom Pol
linger, represented by ] seph Holland
is bethrothed to Betty tondace, I'M
nersonated by Getchen Lyons. Tom is,
however, compelled to keep his betrothal
a secret because his grandmother VINO
has made him her heir threatens to dis
inherit him if he contracts any matrl-
mon,al alliance before he has arrived at
the years of discretion, which period she
nlaces at 40 years. Tom being of most
Jealous disposition induces Betty to repre-
sent herself as grass widow whose nus
band Mr.. Bugle is travelling on busl-
ness. By this means he hopes to prevent
the possibility of other men indulging in
fiirtations with Betty. series or ANUS
ing complications arise, but in the end
the complications are Strengthened out
and all ends happily.
To analyze the play would be something
like breaking butterfly. The chorusfol
the piece lies in the easy, natural acting
of the we'll balanced company, by means
of which all the little surprises OF the pio
come smoothly and naturally, and, al
we have said, keep the audience in
ripple of laughter. Mr., Joseph Holland
makes a delightful characterization O.
Tom Bollinger, who is possessed with thu
green eyed monster, while Miss Gretchen
Lyons as Billy FonGarce, gives mos
artistic Interpretation of the role
Joseph Kilgour as Cousin Allen, Charles
Collins as Mr. Toste, stock broker, were
excellent, and Mr.. Edward Norton made
a. character hit as Chickwell, the Ole
servant. In fact. the cleverness and capl'
tal balance of Ill the numbers of the
company give the play all that 1T is
worth. The curtain was called at the
end of the first, and twice after the sec
ond act.
Prior to the play delightful little
curtain raiser cold Chums,' was played
in which M6SSrh. SOllluS anu AsoIloii 1oS1>
the two parts so well that the curtain
was called at it's close. Be sure and see
the play tonight--for it is one Of the best
of it's kind.
PORTLAND THEATRE.
aUnder the Dome, was presented last
night at the Portland theatre to large
and enthusiastic audience. The play
ia from the pen of Lincoln j. Carter
whose faculty seems to be to combine
somewhat tragic, and comic elements Sc
az IN nroduce happy melodramatic re
suits. The story deals with love which
at the very start eliminates in marriage
despite the protestations of father and
the diaboIical Vaccinations of a william
TO PASS THE CROWD.