The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-12

simple Peter John of Billings. men
at arms of Castle Acton,
Mr.. Walter Thomas. Mr. John Lester
Wallack.
George Bridges, spy for King Henry,
Mr.. Louis F. Morrison
ETu u Ball MIR. Chares Giblyn
Mr.. John Lester Wallack
6rlar frlsby, Mr.. Robert NJ. Eberle
hosam ond Kent, ward of Sir Giles.:A cton,
Miss Lansing. Rowan
Dorothy, her firing woman,
Miss Blanche Hall
Janet, Jessica, daughters of the Duke
of Warwick.
Miss Virginia johnson, Miss Myrtle May
Forestdrs, MenSat Arms, etc.
The period is 1921 A. d. The scenes
are laid in and about Sherwood forest in
England and the action is condensed into
"a hours. The story deals with the al
ventures of young Irish volunteer sent
with important dispatches to the Duke Of
York. This young Irishman, Larry Kav-
anaugh, is seized by the followers of the
Red Rose and is left securely bound In
hut in the forest From his dangerous
position he is rescued by Rosamond Kent
the ward of Sir Giles Acton. From the
moment of meeting romantic attach
ment grows up between these two young
people, which, lasting through series
of exciting adventures eliminates in the
usual manner, the triumphant delivery
OF the dispatches the rescue OF the girl
from her position of peril and their mar
riage in the forest before the Duke of
Warwick.
Although called in the bill romantic
comedy, from the climaxes of the first
and second acts, the play might lay claim
to the name of drama.
In the first act the scene between Rosa
mond and Larry is a sweet bit of love
making and at the same time is invested
with dramatic interest. In the climax
OF the first acts Larry's combat with
Hugh and John of Billings marks a
moment of great dramatic suspense.
In the second act Rosamond's guardian
finding it necessary to dispose of Larry
goes SO far as to tell Rosamond that he
has been speaking slightingly of her and
then it is that her struggle between
wounded pride and dawning love makes
scene Of thrilling interest.
in the third act there is quite an I'M
usual comedy scene enacted by Simple
Peter and Dorothy which nearly reaches
the realms of high comedy and lights up
the serious and more dramatic moments
which follow when young Kavanaugh is
again captured by his enemies aud only
escapes dreadful death by the opportune
arrival of the followers of the Duke Of
York.
The forest and gothic sets Of the stage
are elaborate and beautiful while the
carefully prepared costumes which dress
the characters are appropriate sand singu-
larly effective.
The cast was fairly adequate though it
seemed at times as If the action was not
altogether in harmony with the atmos-
phere of the play. This perhaps Is
always incident more or less to the first
night productions and the rough edges
made heroic, truly romantic lover, and
the villany of Mr.. Morrison was of a cool,
calculating kind. Miss Halls Dorothy
was beautiful bit of acting while Miss
Roman assumed the leading female role
with her usual grace and dressed the
character most handsomely. Mr.. Lowe
was forceful and at times quite intense
and Mr.. Byrne interpreted the traitor but
hardly reached his usual high standard
of action. Mr.. Coopsr's part required no
great effort and the Iightest comedy ele-
ment was of course quite to Mr.. Thomas
liking.
The story shows the hand of clever
playwright and making allowance for the
nervousness almost inseparable from first
productions the company is entitled to
credit for its earnest efforts to bring out
the beauties of the play.