The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-29
MUSIC AND DRAmA
TIE FRENCH MAID.

musical numbers, The dialogue is
sprightly and the wit and humor really
light an airy.
The trouble caused by the coquettl II
French Maid begins In tho courtyard oi
the Hotel Anglais, in 3ouiogne, Inc
English feet has sailed into the harDor,
and Admiral Sir Hercules Hawser, 0sh-
eral Sir Drummond Fife. Lieutepant
Harry Fife, and the Maharajah OF Punka-
por, who has been a guest OF hnglano,
and has been made an admiral anu
started on long cruise SO that the heads
OF the government may be renewed OIL ms
company arrive at the hotel.
Lady Hercules Bawser, who is awaiting
her husband, and her niece, Dolly Iravers,
who is looking flrward expeotantly TO
meeting with her sweetheart, Lieutenant
Fife. are already there. Monsieur Cam
ambert, the landlord. does not look with
favor upon the advent of the gentlemen,
for the reason that Madame Camambert
had former husband, a naval officer,
from whom she had obtained divorce,
and Canaan bert, never free from haunt
ing fear that this former husband viii re-
turn and rob him of his spounse con-
ceiyes suspicion that Sir Hercules HaW-
ser is the man.
The officers are admitted, however, ana
very soon encounter the captivating
French maid, Suzette. The Eastern
prince and Harry Fife, who Is unawars
Of the presence Of Dolly IN the hoeei'
make appointments to take Suzette to
masque ball which is to tie held that
night. .Suzetts boasts that she is going TO
tbs ball with an admiral, and Lacy
Havser, hearing of it, suspect Sir Hell
cules, while Dolly suspects Harry Fife.
Suzefts has two lovers, Charles Brown.
the head waiter of the hotel, and Paul
Leguire, gendarns of physical prowess
and a very jealous temper. Charles
Brown desires to escort Suzette TO the
ball, but fearing the physical superiority
of the hot tempered Paul, NJ ges With
his strong brother Jack, who is sailor,
to act as Suzette's escort. Jack, learning
that the prince has an engagement with
Snzette, persuades him to change coats,
aud suzette. caring mora for a coat
glittering with braid and brass buttons
than anything else. accepts jack com.
pany. At the ball he encounters Paul,
and there is trouble. Meanwhile the
latter, in his official capacity, suspects
Lady Hawser and Dolly Travers OF being
spies, and shadows them As the result of
this Lady Hawser impgines that an I'M
known admirer is pursuing her, and in
forms the landlord. The latter, ignorant
as to who her husband is, believes that
Sir Hawser is the annoying admirer, and
has the walters put him out of the hotel.
This outline will convey an idea of the
incoherent and loose juinted complications
and entangIements of the plot Of The
French Maid
The interpreting cast was of q high
order of merit. Marguerita Sylvia made a
hit as Suzstts, the titular role. Anna
Robinson looked charming and acted de-
lightfuIly as Dorothy Travers but her
vocal Efforts We're by no means remark
alba That is not to he wandered at, a.
2oblnson is an actress and not q
:. 4. AS compromise, she might
possibly be termed singing comedienne
This was the cast;
Admiral Sir Hercules Hawser, K. @. B.,
Mr.. Edward ]. Heron
The MRharajeh Of Punkapore,
Mr. Richard Ridgeley
Gen. Sir Drummond Fife, v. c.,
Mir. Matt Woodward
Jack Brown, sailor,
Mr. HaIIen Mostyn
Paul Legule, gendarme,
Mr.. Edouard Jose
Mons. Camambert, maitre d'hotel,
Mr.. George Honey
Lieut.. Harry Fife, K. N,
Mr.. William Armstrong
Willie Splint, French waiter,
Mr. Charles Sturgis
Charles Brown, . waiter,
Mr.. Charles A. Bigelow
Lady Hercules Hawser,
Miss Eva Davenport
Dorothy Travers,
Miss Blanche Sherwood
Mime. Camambsrt,
Miss Yolande Wallace
Marie, chambermald,
Miss Mamie Forbes
Suzette, the French Maid,
Mills. Anna Held
The comedy of the piece is pretty fully
embodied IN the person of Charles A.
Bigelow, who plays the part of the pink
faced walter The huInor Of this
inimitable caricature is the happiest and
most effective thing in the whole per-
Torrance. Hallen Mostyn. as Jack
Brown, the Jovial sailor, and Eva Dayen
part as Lady Hercules Hawser, are also
conspicuous ] e performance. William
Arm trong, as the English naval lieuten-
ant contributes several sentimental songs,
while Yoian 10 Wallace, George Honey,
Ed 5uard Jose, Matt. Woodward, E. j.
II ron, Augustus Sohlke and Mamie
For es are other notable personages in
the piece. Miss Held was full of hel
French ways and was enoored many
times. She wore her wonderful dress be
spaugIed with diamonds. There was a
host of pretty girls and the play was
beautifully consumed and staged.
ANDREW MACK
Andrew Mack is the booking at The
Jefferson, Friday and Saturday evenings
and Saturday matinee. He will present
his new and hiohlv successful comedy