The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-28
MUSIC AND pRAMA.
THE SOLDIERS SWEETHEART.

For the first time on any stage the
Soldiers Sweetheart was produced
last evening at BARLEY MoCullum'
theatre with the characters distributed
as follows:
General Nugsnt' U. s 5; A;s D. connierg
~ John R. Armstrong
Jack Randall, his son, VIM. ID. Pasoce
Riohard Craven, his nephew,
Captain Harmon, U. S. A.,
James Bankson
Corporal Crabtree Zone armed), the
privileged, stephen Wright
BARLEY McCullum
Provost Marshal, Peter Lang
Tim Sheridan, drummer boy,
Beatrice Ingram
Mrs. Craven, Richards wife,
Estelle Dale
Mrs: Lawson, housekeeper to MAJOR
Randall, Lillian Andrews
Kate Desmond, ward of Major Ran.
dali, in love with Jack, Lisle Leigh
Sister st. Augustus, Mary Davenport
As the title suggests, the play is mill
tary drama and tells the story of the love
OF Kate Desmond and Jack Randall, the
latter an honest, but mercurial youth,
who is accused of forgery by his nephew.
An angered father givesa Jack no chance
to clear his skirts, and the son in a fit
OF resentment joins the army.
Kate shows undying loyalty of affec-
ton and follows him, being accompanied
by Corporal Crabtee, and the drummer
by whom she adopts.
tz-,
characters of the camp and battlefield,
who aid in the search, and when Jack
Is finally discovered he has earned the
bars of a captain. Proofs accumulate
which establish his innocence of the
charge laid to his door while his accuser
turns out to be spy, becomes disgraced
and is killed.
This is but a brief summary of a charm
ing drama, every act of which has some
sensation which sustains interest and
holds the appreciauive attention of it's
auditors. The play Is most deliberately
and effectively staged.
At the outset is seen the beautiful
Hudson with its ever moving boats, its
palisades and handsome villas Soon
the spectator is transported to a rocsy
ravipe with Confederate camp in the
distance, the moonlight effect being
especially notable. A hospital scene fol
lows which is laid in an old Southern
sGhoolhouse with It's blankboards and
other accessories. with Union soldiers
formed in line, and last appears to view
a large encampment of 80 or go tents,
true to life and correct to the minutes
detail
The action of the play is quick and
evenly balanced throughout. The sec.
ond act is particularly strong one, for
in this occurs the scene where Jack is
found asleep by his sweetheart who is
quick to realize that the hour must be
called by the sentinel and this she does
for him in most effective way The
fourth act is pretty one, in fact, each act
is marked by some situation worthy of
special description.
The military atmosphere of the play
gives Mr.. Conniers an opportunity to
portray the serene. gruff, disciplinarian,
while another army character finds a
fit representation at the hands of Mr..
Armstrong. Mr.. Pascoe's Jack Randall
is strong, sympathetic Characterization,
and MIR. Garfield acts the williams part
so as to invite hatred. Mr.. Bankson
makes a dashing Captain Harmon, and
Mr.. Wright personated the bluff good
natured corporal in an easy taking way.
For the first time in seven years Bart
ley McCullum had an Irish part, even to
the dialect, and his work would have
made even Ed Harrigan envious could
he have seen it.
Miss Leigh always does conscientious,
intelligent work and, of course, Beatrice
Ingram was more than at home as the
drummer boy. A heavy part went tc
Miss Dale, and she carried IL on strong
and effective manner. Miss Andrews
and Miss Davenport did just enough to
make one wish for more
The first production was decidedly a
success and ''The Soldiers Sweetheart"
should have prosperous week.
RIvERToN PARK.
The attendance at Riverton yesterday
dlI5FuOUu ANU IttSb evening was very GOOD
and the entertainment is capital The
speoialties are all first class There are
negro representations by Riley and
Hughes that are as natural as life, as full
of the negro spirit, as are the negroes
themselves and as capable of performing
their respective parts as any in that fine
that Portland has seen for many a day.
James Gaylor is Dutch comedian with
many funny jokes and an entertaining
way that takes immensely with the audi
euce. Tommy Hayes is a clever artist
with the bones, playing the familiar in
struments capitally and adding glasses.
knives and forks, spoons. gas pipe and
crackers from which he extracts lively
music
The New York Comedy companv
presents farce that is as full of LAUGHS
as the time allowed for the presentation
will permit Two brothers have married
sisters. BY the terms of dead fathers
will they are bound to live under the