The Portland daily press., 1898-09-07
MUSIC AND DRAMR.
THE ELECTRICIAN.

"Tom Edison, the Eleotrioian," which
will be the attraction at the Jefferson TO-
night and Thursday evenings, is said to
be the most magnihoently presented COM
edy-tlrama ever offered to the theatre-go
ing publ 0, while in incident and scheme
it is one of the most powerful, every Gil
max b reaking with almost volcanic III
tensity. So much by way of 1ntroouc-
ton. To go on to the play itself, mourning
can be said to detract from its worth. IN
Charles e. Blaney's entire company
from Jos. ]. Bowling, who 1nterprets
the lending part, down to the mere soage
loiterers, there is not one single person
who has been negligently selected or I'M
intelliaently cast. This comedy drama,
which lacks all the melo-dramatlc hum
der of by-gone days. is new and I'M
known. but cannot remain SO, for its
MAGNIFICENT staging at once becomes its
herald and sounds Its own alarm. The
scene of the brilliantly lighted bank,
with its hustling clerks and busy mag
mates, its superb furniture, and its aotivi-
ty: the electrical works running with an
ease and brilliancy never before seen on
any stage; the lighting up of the big city
In the distance. realistic In trnth
and artistic in conception, all are the best
stage pictures ever presented onPany Stage
and reflect credit on author, artist, anu
on the stage carpenter. Mr.. Blaney mas
sacrificed nothing to appearances, 1or ne
has brought together series OF lhciueh's
that hold the interest as has nothing that
has come before it. The situations. the
motives, the characters comingle wloh-
out the least scraping, or rugglng, or
straining, giving pleasing nneness 70
a story that is said to be taken from life.
The clilnaxes develop quickly and break
magnificently, while the lighter moments
are as rolling as a Sousa march, the SEN
timental fragments being TRULY natural
and the comedy moments as sparkling as
the lights which adorn the stage.
SUNSHINE OF PARADISE ALLEY.
Despite the many counter attractions
this week there can be no doubt but
that Denman Thompson and Geoge W.
Ryer's latest great success, The sun
shine of Paradise Alley" will prove to
be magnet of the greatest drawing pow
er at the Jefferson Theatre Friday and
Saturday. The new piece is in its third
year, and bids fair to carve name for
itself. So much has been said In praise OF
this newest production by the authors OF
"The Old Homestead" by the New York,
Boston, Philadelphia and Washington
press, that. naturally, our people are on
the tiptoe of expectancy. Nor will they
be disappointed, for no truer picture Of
New York sIum life has been shown on
the stage than the four intensely realistic
scenes in "The Sunshine of Paradise Al.
ley" If, as Hamlet said in his speech te
the players, it be apart from the purpose OF
playing to do other than hold the mirror
ND to nature, then indeed have Messrs.
Thompson and Ryer been signally sue
cessful in this idyl of New York's life
among the lowly, for moro charming
homelike. simple and beautiful story car
scarcely be imagined. What the deal
'tO1d Homestead is to New England
life, SO is .sThe Sunshine OF Paradise AL
ley'' to New York's East Side life. abou
which we hear so much and so seldom
see. There are 20 players in the company
the Acme Male Quartette and the fanou
Boston Verdi Ladies QuarteIte. The reg
ular matinee will be given Saturday.
FESTIVAL CHORUS REHEARSAL.
There was large attendance at the re-
hearsal Of the Festival Chorus at Kotzsch
mar Hall Monday evening. Mr.. Char
man conducted, and although the nigh
was warm both he and the chorus worked
very hard, and felt that they accom-
plished much in the effects 81
necessary at this stage of the work. Ih
Pilgrim Chorus was sung by the NAL
chorus with great effect. The grand
Wagner programme will be g reat fea
ture of the concerts. and make most at
tractive the opening night Of the Festi-
val. The choruses all over the State ar
actively rehearsing now. Some of them
are holding two rehearsals week.
RIvERTON PARK.
From Portland, Oregon to Portland
Maine, is the recent record of Austin
who is amusing the crowds at Riverton
with his comedy wire performance. 1t Il
one continual stretch of entertainment
across the continent that this entertainel
has given, and it has been a financial ant
artistic success. He leads off most en-.
joyable vaudeville programme, which
presents several very excellent features
Those who have followed the theatrica
world and its people will recognize th'
name of Miss Lizzie Clifford, thu
comedian and actress who created the roll
of Jimmie Duffy in Peck's Bad Boy
Jimmy had been set forth as nice little
boy who had grown up under rather ad
verse circumstances. The managers
wanted Miss Clifford to take tie part but
she said: "Not if Jimmie is to be Dor.
trayed as he has heretofore been.'' The
managers asked for her idea of what
Jimmie should be like and was told
straight off. They gave their consen te
her creating the part after her own new
notion, and her Jimmie Dutfey was al
instantaneous hit She has played tn,